AUCTION TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPORTHORSES AUCTIONS - version November 1, 2025
These auction terms and conditions are divided into:
O. GLOSSARY AND PRICES
I. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
II. BUYER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
III. SELLER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
O. Glossary
Registration module: The online form/fields that a seller fills in at Sporthorsesauctions.com to offer a horse for sale on behalf of the seller at the online auction.
Account: Registration on Sporthorsesauctions.com that gives a seller, bidder, and/or buyer access to the website, the online auctions, and the status of participant.
Registration fee: The amount that must be paid by the seller in the registration module before a horse can be offered for sale at the online auction. This is also referred to as the entry fee.
Delivery note: Written confirmation from the buyer and seller that the auctioned and sold horse has been delivered to the buyer in the condition specified in the auction.
Settlement amount: The amount offered by the buyer and accepted by the seller for which the horse is awarded.
Participant: Any natural or legal person who participates in the auction as a seller, bidder, and/or buyer and/or registers for an account on Sporthorsesauctions.com.
Award: Confirmation on behalf of the seller by Sporthorses Auctions that the bid has been accepted.
Sales contract: Written record of the sale and purchase resulting from the award.
Purchase price: The settlement amount plus auction fees and (if applicable) VAT.
Buyer: The participant to whom the auctioned horse/pony/foal... has been awarded.
Horse: The horse, pony, foal... offered through the auction. In these general terms and conditions, this is referred to as “horse/pony/foal...”.
Auction: An online sales method organized by Sporthorses Auctions in which a horse/pony/foal/... is offered via the website sporthorsesauctions.com to potential buyers, who can place bids during a certain period. The highest bidder at the end of the auction period obtains the right to purchase the horse/pony/foal/... unless otherwise stated.
Auction fees: Fixed surcharge or percentage added to the settlement amount.
Seller: The participant who has a horse/pony/foal/... sold through the auction.
PRICES
The prices, valid as of November 1, 2025, are:
- Registration fee (for participation in the auction of a horse/pony/foal...): 150 euros excluding 21% VAT. Discounts may apply.
- Sales costs: both the seller and the buyer will be charged 10% of the settlement amount as auction costs, excluding 21% VAT.
I. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. General
1.1 Sporthorses Auctions – including the websites Sporthorsesauctions.com – is part of Sporthorses B.V., a private limited company registered with the Chamber of Commerce under number 30194473.
1.2 Sporthorses Auctions – including the websites Sporthorsesauctions.com – and Sporthorses B.V. are organizers of the online auctions, but are not parties to the purchase agreement and sales order.
1.3 These terms and conditions apply to all participants and agreements concluded through the auction.
1.4 These provisions also apply to all persons acting for or on behalf of Sporthorses Auctions and/or Sporthorses B.V., including employees and authorized representatives.
1.5 The terms and conditions are available in four languages at all times.
2. Auction
2.1 The auction takes place at a time and in a manner determined by Sporthorses Auctions, only after all data has been submitted in full in the registration module and after confirmation of receipt of the registration fee. Sporthorses Auctions is the only party that can start an online auction and can change, suspend, or cancel it at any time.
2.2 The information displayed about a horse/pony/foal, including images and video material, is the result of the information provided by the seller via the registration module. Sporthorses Auctions assesses the completeness of the information, but is in no way responsible for its accuracy.
2.3 Information about veterinary inspections is provided by the seller via the registration module and is therefore entirely the responsibility of the selling party. The information provided is binding at and during the auction. The buyer accepts this information when bidding and/or awarding.
2.4 To participate, you must register an account on sporthorsesauctions.com. Sporthorses Auctions may refuse participation or impose (additional) conditions without giving reasons.
2.5 By registering, the participant agrees to the terms and conditions and privacy statement.
2.6 In online auctions, the closing time will be extended if a bid is placed in the last five minutes. With an extension of five minutes.
2.7 Only employees or authorized representatives of Sporthorses Auctions are considered points of contact before, during, and after the online auctions.
2.8 All transactions are in principle made in euros, unless otherwise agreed in writing in advance. Transactions in other currencies may incur additional costs, which are always borne by the party or parties who requested a currency other than euros.
3. Sale / Award
3.1 A bid is binding until a higher and confirmed bid is made.
3.2 Upon award, a purchase is concluded, which is recorded in writing in the sales contract.
3.3 A horse/pony/foal/etc. is sold in the condition it is in at the time of award. Sporthorses Auctions is in no way liable and/or responsible for the value or condition.
4. Purchase price, VAT, and payments
4.1 A sale between legal entities other than between private individuals (private buyer and seller) is subject to VAT. The applicable rate is indicated for each horse/pony/foal...
4.2 In the case of delivery outside the Netherlands in the EU and application of a 0% rate, the buyer remains liable if the rate has been applied incorrectly.
4.3 The buyer may first have to pay Dutch VAT and will be refunded upon proof of payment.
4.4 Invoice overview:
4.4.1 The seller will send an invoice to the buyer for the Settlement Amount, plus the applicable VAT amount, if applicable.
4.4.2 Sporthorses Auctions will send an invoice to the seller for the auction costs (2025: 10% of the Settlement Amount), plus the applicable VAT amount, if applicable.
4.4.3 Sporthorses Auctions will send an invoice to the buyer for the auction costs (2025: 10% of the Settlement Amount), plus the applicable VAT amount, if applicable.
4.5 Payment overview:
4.5.1 The buyer shall pay Sporthorses Auctions the Settlement Amount, plus 10% of the Settlement Amount as auction costs and, if applicable, plus the applicable VAT amount on the total. Payment shall be made no later than three (3) working days after the award. Payment must be made in full to NL02RABO0163018316 in the name of SporthorsesAuctions, stating the unique lot number on the invoice.
4.5.2 Sporthorses Auctions will pay the seller an amount equal to the Settlement Amount within three (3) working days after confirmed receipt of the delivery note signed by all parties, less 10% of the Settlement Amount as auction costs and, if applicable, plus the applicable VAT amount on the total.
4.6 Both the seller and the buyer indemnify Sporthorses Auctions and Sporthorses B.V. against claims, costs, and any lost income and proceeds.
5. Delivery and acceptance
5.1 Delivery will only take place after full payment has been made. Risk is transferred upon award. Foals younger than five (5) months will remain with the mare and will only be delivered after that period.
5.2 In principle, delivery will take place within 14 days after payment, unless otherwise agreed by the buyer and seller and confirmed in writing. In the case of delivery abroad, the seller and buyer are jointly responsible for timely delivery in accordance with tax regulations. In the event of late delivery in accordance with tax regulations and any subsequent claims, all costs will be charged to the seller (50%) and the buyer (50%). These costs must be paid within 14 days. Confirmation of delivery will be provided in writing with proof of delivery.
5.3 If the buyer does not take delivery, they are in default and liable for costs and damages, except in the case of private consumers with a right of withdrawal.
5.4 Foals will be delivered no later than 14 days after reaching 5 months of age.
5.5 A horse/pony/foal... will be delivered with its passport and correct, complete documents.
5.6 A buyer shall act with care, follow instructions, and indemnify against damage.
5.7 The delivery note signed by all parties must be submitted within 3 days of delivery. Payment to the seller will only be made after receipt of the delivery note signed by all parties.
5.8 Defects must be reported in writing to the buyer and to Sporthorses Auctions within 7 days (stable defect) or 14 days (otherwise). This can be done by email to info@sporthorsesauctions.com and by email to the buyer. Receipt of a message must always be confirmed.
5.9 Transport costs are at the expense of the buyer. If the buyer is a private consumer and makes use of the right of withdrawal, the seller must reimburse these transport costs.
6. Transfer of ownership and right of withdrawal
6.1 Ownership is transferred upon delivery.
6.2 Private consumers as buyers have a 14-day cooling-off period for online auctions, in accordance with the right of withdrawal, only if the seller is not a private consumer. If the seller is also a private consumer, the right of withdrawal does not apply. Withdrawal must be notified in writing by the buyer to the seller and to Sporthorses Auctions.
6.3 In the event of withdrawal, the horse/pony/foal... must be returned to the seller as soon as possible – at the latest within 14 days after claiming the right of withdrawal – in the condition in which the horse/pony/foal... was at the time of the sale.
6.4 Transport of the horse/pony/foal... in the event of the buyer claiming the right of withdrawal from the seller is at the risk and expense of the buyer.
6.5 In the event of the right of withdrawal being claimed, the seller may wait to refund until the horse has been received, even if this takes longer than 14 days. The seller will refund the Settlement Amount, plus the applicable VAT amount, if applicable. If payment from Sporthorses Auctions to the seller has not yet been made, Sporthorses Auctions will refund the Settlement Amount, plus the applicable VAT amount, if applicable.
6.6 As the auction organizer, Sporthorses Auctions considers the auction and the award as services provided, for which the auction costs are calculated. In the event of a claimed right of withdrawal, auction costs will not be refunded to the buyer or the seller.
6.7 The buyer is liable for any depreciation in value of the horse during the cooling-off period and transport back to the seller.
7. Liability
7.1 Sporthorses Auctions is not liable for damage, costs, and claims resulting from:
- Information provided by participants
- The actions of third parties
- Non-delivery
- Technical and non-technical events surrounding the online auction.
7.2 Participants participate at their own risk. Sporthorses Auctions does not take out insurance for participants. Buyers and sellers are advised to take out their own insurance for risks during transport and delivery.
8. Privacy and data processing, applicable law, and disputes
8.1 Sporthorses Auctions processes personal data in accordance with the GDPR. Participants give their consent for processing for the purposes of auction administration and the performance of services.
8.2 Dutch law applies. The CISG is excluded.
8.3 Sporthorses Auctions may – partly, but not exclusively, at the joint request of the buyer and seller – make binding judgments in disputes during and after the auction.
8.4 Other disputes will be settled by the court of East Brabant.
9. Other provisions
9.1 Sporthorses Auctions may unilaterally amend these terms and conditions.
9.2 If any provision is invalid, the rest shall remain in force.
9.3 In the event of confusion, differences, or ambiguities in the terms and conditions in a language other than Dutch, arising in part, but not exclusively, from translation, the provisions and interpretation in the Dutch version shall prevail.
II. BUYER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
10. Bidding/purchasing
10.1 Each participant who registers as a bidder/buyer will receive a personal username and password to access the bidding system. The bidder is responsible for its use.
10.2 Bidding is done digitally. Bidding increments are specified for each auction. In principle, these bidding increments are:
Amounts up to €10,000: bidding increments of €500
Amounts from €10,001 to €20,000: bidding increments of €1,000
Amounts above €20,001: bidding increments of €2,000
The highest bid is displayed on the auction site.
10.3 Each bid is an irrevocable offer to the seller. The bidder is deemed to be bidding on their own account, even when acting on behalf of third parties.
10.4 Bidding is at your own risk. No recourse can be taken in the event of errors or technical malfunctions.
11. Obligations of the buyer
11.1 The buyer is obliged to pay the Settlement Amount plus (in 2025:) 10% of the Settlement Amount as auction costs and, if applicable, plus the applicable VAT amount on the total, within three (3) working days after the award, without set-off or suspension.
11.2 In the event of non-payment or late payment, Sporthorses Auctions may, in consultation with the seller, re-auction the horse/pony/foal, etc. The buyer shall still pay auction costs on the original Settlement Amount, plus the applicable VAT amount, if applicable, plus any collection costs.
11.3 In the event of termination by revocation, the provisions as described in Article 6 shall apply.
11.4 The buyer is liable for damage within his sphere of risk and indemnifies Sporthorses Auctions against claims from third parties.
III. SELLER'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS
12. Registration and payment
12.1 By registering, the seller instructs Sporthorses Auctions to auction a horse/pony/foal... Only after full registration – confirmed by Sporthorses Auctions – and after payment of the registration fee will a horse/pony/foal... be admitted and can the seller upload and provide the other (partly mandatory) information.
12.2 The seller pays the registration fee, determined in advance, without set-off or suspension. In the event of non-payment or late payment of the registration fee, the registration will be automatically deleted after 14 days.
12.3 After receipt of the delivery note signed by all parties, Sporthorses Auctions will proceed to pay the seller in accordance with the provisions of Article 4.5, provided that payments by the buyer have been made.
12.4 Set-off by the seller is not permitted.
13. Information and guarantees
13.1 The seller shall provide correct and complete information about the horse/pony/foal, etc. for the auction site. Sporthorses Auctions will only proceed with the auction after assessing and confirming the information provided. Sporthorses Auctions is not liable and/or responsible for incorrect information. Any errors must be reported no later than 1 day before the auction.
13.2 Sporthorses Auctions may, without giving reasons, assess or refuse information, or refuse or delay an auction.
13.3 In the event of incorrect information being provided, as a result of which the auction and/or award cannot take place, the registration fee remains payable. In addition, the seller will owe a penalty of 20% of the expected settlement amount, with a minimum of €1,500, if the horse does not participate in the auction without a valid reason.
13.4 The seller remains responsible for the care, accommodation, insurance, and all other costs of the horse/pony/foal... until the moment of delivery. The costs of this are for his account.
13.5 The seller guarantees the health and suitability of the horse/pony/foal... in accordance with the information provided.
13.6 The seller guarantees the accuracy of veterinary information and indemnifies Sporthorses Auctions against claims and costs for obtaining and providing that information.
13.7 The seller guarantees that the horse/pony/foal... is free of prohibited substances (FEI list). The buyer may take samples until the moment of signing the delivery note.
13.8 In the event of a positive result, the horse/pony/foal... must be taken back immediately by the seller. All costs shall be borne by the seller, including the registration fee and auction costs of both the seller and the buyer.
13.9 Delivery and transfer take place free of liens or other rights.
13.10 The seller fully indemnifies Sporthorses Auctions against any claims in the event of a breach of warranty.
13.11 The seller is liable for damage caused by their own actions and indemnifies Sporthorses Auctions against this.
14. Reserve price and repurchase
14.1 A seller may specify a reserve price, the minimum amount for which they wish to sell the horse/pony/foal, etc. Sporthorses Auctions is not liable for determining a reserve price and the consequences thereof on the auction and/or award.
14.2 The reserve price is not visible on the auction site.
14.3 At the first auction of a horse/pony/foal... in the event of no bids, or in the event of bids below the reserve price, the seller will buy back the horse/pony/foal... at the opening bid. He will then pay no auction costs, either as seller or buyer (the registration fee does apply and must be paid), and may offer the horse/pony/foal... for auction again without having to pay the registration fee again.
14.4 At the second auction of a horse/pony/foal... - as a result of the provisions of Article 14.3 - the seller may again set a reserve price. In the event of no bids at this second auction, or in the event of bids below the reserve price at this second auction, the seller may choose between two scenarios:
14.4.1 The seller buys back the horse/pony/foal... at the opening bid and pays a one-time auction fee on that amount as the buyer; or
14.4.2 The seller awards the horse/pony/foal... to the participant with the highest bid and the sales process continues in accordance with these terms and conditions.
14.5 A repurchasing seller is considered the buyer.
15. Withdrawal and non-participation
15.1 If a registered horse/pony/foal... is withdrawn after Sporthorses Auctions has confirmed participation, the registration fee remains payable. In addition, the seller will owe a penalty of 20% of the expected settlement amount, with a minimum of €1,500, if the horse does not participate in the auction without a valid reason.
15.2 In the event that the provisions of Article 13 are not met, or due to problems with the horse/pony/foal... or its seller, as a result of which the horse/pony/foal... cannot participate in the auction, the registration fee remains payable. In addition, the seller will owe a penalty of 20% of the expected settlement amount, with a minimum of €1,500, if the horse does not participate in the auction without a valid reason.