The Showjumping Fund of the Netherlands (SFN), has announced the starting bids for the six horses currently under their ownership, which are due to be sold via an online auction in September.

The most high-profile horse to be offered is SFN Zenith N.O.P., Jeroen Dubbeldam’s World and European Champion ride, currently competing at the Olympic Games in Rio, who will have a starting price of €500,000. Aquila SFN, Wout-Jan van der Schans Nations Cup ride, second reserve for the Olympics, will also have a starting price of €500,000 and bids for both horses will be accepted in increments of €50,000.

The four younger horses, Chuck Blue SFN, Djumpsina SFN, Eloma’s Blue SFN and Ferrari SFN, will have a starting price of €50,000 with bids in increments of €10,000.

The online auction, which will be operated by BVA Auctions in the Netherlands, will officially open on Wednesday 14th September, and will remain open until 4pm on Wednesday 21st September. To participate in the auction, it is necessary to register and pay a deposit. For further information and advice about how to participate, please visit the BVA Auctions website: www.bva-auctions.com/SFN

All six horses will be available for viewing on Monday 19th September at Wout-Jan van der Schans stables (Landgoed Balkenschoten Barneveldseweg 122 3862 PD Nijkerk), which will be the final opportunity for prospective buyers to see the horses up close. The stables will open its doors to the public at 2pm, with each horse parading in-hand for approximately 10 minutes.

Speaking on behalf of the SFN, Henk Rottinghuis, the President of the SFN Board, said, “The starting bids we have set reflects the quality of the horses up for sale and we have used the experience of BVA Auctions in this field as guidance. There has already been a lot of advance interest in the sale so we are really looking forward to seeing how the auction will unfold, not only for the proven 5* horses, but for the up-and-coming youngsters, who have such great potential and an exciting future in the world of show jumping.”

Henk went on to explain, “Due to the unique selection process of the SFN, whereby an elite group of leading horse dealers and trainers must all agree unanimously on the potential of a horse before it is purchased, the quality of the horses up for sale is undisputed and it is rare to see such a talented group of horses in a single sale.”