30 April, 2026—Equestic and KWPN Region Belgium today announced a strategic research partnership to explore how objective training data can help identify and develop the potential of young dressage horses. Central to the program is the use of the EQ Saddle-Clip, a smart motion sensor designed to capture detailed insights into equine movement and training progress.
As part of this research initiative, KWPN Region Belgium is resetting its standards for dressage riders to measure performance using AI-powered insights, while allowing Equestic to provide riders with the tools needed to do so. The goal of the partnership is to enable breeders and trainers to have more informed, evidence-based decision-making.
Importantly, the program emphasizes horse welfare. By translating movement data into actionable insights, breeders and trainers can adapt training approaches to become more balanced, thoughtful, and responsive to each horse’s physical and mental needs. The technology also helps identify early where training resources should be focused and which horses demonstrate the highest future market potential.
At the core of the research is the Equine Motion Performance Indicators™ (EMPI) Framework—a structured methodology for assessing and interpreting the biomechanics and physiology of equine motion. The EMPI Framework serves as a shared reference for breeders, scientists, veterinarians, and trainers, supporting a more standardized and transparent evaluation process.
“We believe this partnership marks a major step forward in how we evaluate and develop young dressage horses,” said Guus Swinnen, Chairman of KWPN Region Belgium. “We look forward to working with test riders and demonstrate how integrating technology into our training ecosystem can enhance performance outcomes and horse welfare.”
“At Equestic, we believe the future of equine sport lies in smarter, data-driven breeding and training,” said Leon Rutten, Founder and CEO of Equestic. “By using the EQ Saddle-Clip and EMPI Framework, we enable to identify potential earlier and drive innovation while always respecting the horse’s natural development.”
Call for Test Riders
Together with Equestic, KWPN Region Belgium is recruiting riders to participate in the research program.
We are looking for rider/horse combinations willing to use the EQ Saddle-Clip for close to a six-month period. Preference will be given to combinations aiming to conclude the test phase with participation in the IBOP aptitude test (dressage), taking place on the 11th of November in Huijberghen.
Selected participants will receive:
- An EQ Saddle-Clip on loan
- A 6-month subscription to the Equestic platform
- Full access to use the system during training sessions
- Monthly online sessions and continuous support on use of the EQ Saddle-Clip and data collection
- EMPI report with personalized horse movement and development insights
- The opportunity to contribute training data to the research project
Upon successful completion of the test period, participants may keep the EQ Saddle-Clip free of charge (excl. subscription).
Interested riders are invited to learn more during the KWPN Dressage Café on the 5th of May in Rijkevorsel, where they can also sign up for the program.
About KWPN Region Belgium
KWPN Region Belgium is the official Belgian branch of KWPN. It forms an active network of Belgian breeders, owners and riders of KWPN horses, both professionals and enthusiasts. Members take part in inspections, young horse tests and other events in Belgium and the Netherlands. Read more at www.kwpn.nl/belgie.
About Equestic
Founded in the Netherlands by Leon Rutten, Equestic is the consumer brand of Smart Horse Technologies B.V. It was built on his family’s equestrian coaching heritage and strengthened by over 30 years of software and hardware product leadership.
Blending deep knowledge in equestrian sport with cutting-edge expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), product engineering, and marketing, Equestic is focused on innovations that genuinely support coaches, riders, and their horses.
