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For American buyers

European Sport Horses for Sale in the USA

The Netherlands and Germany are the heart of European sport horse breeding. This is where the KWPN, Hanoverian, Holsteiner and Oldenburg studbooks produce the horses that win at international dressage and show jumping — and where American riders find quality that is hard to source at home.

Avante Horse Sales is based in the Netherlands, in the middle of KWPN breeding country. Every horse below is seen in person before it goes online. Each listing shows video, pedigree, competition results and price, and an independent pre-purchase exam can be arranged with the report going straight to your own vet.

How buying from Europe works

  1. 1. Shortlist online. Compare video, pedigree and price. Ask us anything — we know each horse personally.
  2. 2. Try or assess. Come ride the horse in the Netherlands, or request additional video of specific work.
  3. 3. Independent vetting. A Dutch equine clinic performs the pre-purchase exam; report and X-rays go directly to you and your veterinarian.
  4. 4. Purchase and import. You buy directly from the seller. Transport, quarantine and customs are arranged between you and the seller through specialised equine transport companies — Avante does not organise transport or import itself.

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Dutch Warmbloods for saleHunter jumper horsesDressage horses for sale

FAQ

Why buy a sport horse in Europe instead of in the USA?
Europe — and especially the Netherlands and Germany — is where the leading studbooks (KWPN, Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Oldenburg) breed their horses. The selection is larger, bloodlines are closer to the source and prices for comparable quality are often lower than in the US, even after import costs.
How does buying a horse from Europe work for an American buyer?
You start with video, pedigree and competition records online. Serious candidates can be tried in person or assessed via additional video. Before purchase, an independent pre-purchase exam is arranged — report and X-rays go straight to your own vet. After the sale, transport, quarantine and import are arranged between you and the seller; specialised equine transport companies handle the flight and paperwork.
What does it cost to import a horse from Europe to the USA?
Import costs — flight, quarantine, customs and agent fees — typically range from $8,000 to $18,000 depending on route, season and destination airport. These costs are paid directly to the transport company and are separate from the purchase price.
Can I trust buying a horse I have not seen in person?
Every horse listed by Avante is seen in person before it goes online, and each listing shows unedited video, pedigree and price. The independent vetting gives you an objective medical picture. If you prefer, you are always welcome to come and ride the horse yourself in the Netherlands.
Which breeds are best for American dressage and jumping riders?
Dutch Warmbloods (KWPN) lead the WBFSH rankings in both disciplines. Hanoverians, Holsteiners, Oldenburgers and Belgian Warmbloods are also popular with American riders. For hunters, European jumpers with the right style and movement transition well to the American hunter ring.

Buying from the US? Start here.

Tell us your level, budget and goals. Our horse finder service approaches European breeders and stables directly and only sends you horses that genuinely fit — including horses that are not yet published online.

Start the horse finder