Mauro Turfhorst becomes NOP

Dutch dressage has just gained a new pair preserved for the top level and in particular the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics: Mauro Turfhorst, ridden by Dinja van Liere, now benefits from the N.O.P. suffix.

Dutch Small Tour Champion in 2025, Mauro Turfhorst subsequently benefited from the N.O.P.T. suffix. The letter "T" designates the "talent status" awarded by the Dutch Federation for promising horses. Reserve Champion of the Netherlands at the Grand Prix level this year, this son of Zonik and Negro, owned by the Reesink stables and the Koele family, bred by Jan Greve, placed 3rd in the Grand Prix at the CHIO Rotterdam last June with a score of 75%, thus securing his selection for the World Championships in Aachen.

“Three years ago, the Dutch Olympic Horse Foundation (Stichting Nederlands Olympiade Paard) launched the N.O.P.T. certification for talented young horses with the potential to compete in major international championships. This pilot program has been successfully renewed for a third year. Even better, the goal of facilitating the transition to the N.O.P. group has been achieved in the short term with Mauro Turfhorst. This magnificent and talented stallion has delivered outstanding performances in recent months, earning him a place at the World Championships in Aachen. These results prompted the Foundation's board—on the recommendation of national coach Patrick van der Meer—to upgrade the stallion's status from N.O.P.T. to N.O.P. We are absolutely delighted,” explained Hidde Frankena, President of the Dutch Olympic Horse Foundation.