Bottrop Horse Market

Horse Market in the 21st Century — Tradition and Show

The Bottrop Horse Market is a rare public event in the Ruhr area: not purely a show, not purely a market, but a combination of horse show, horse trading, and Sunday shopping. The tradition dates back to a time when Bottrop was still predominantly agricultural and the horse market was the most important business of the year. Today, the City of Bottrop organizes the event as a contemporary spectacle with a show character — the 2026 edition will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Kirchplatz and in the city center.

Horse Show: Four Blocks with Christian Sauer

The show program is designed by horse trainer Christian Sauer together with other riders — four performance blocks are spread throughout the day: 11:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:15 PM, and 3:45 PM. Sauer demonstrates how to work with horses — from groundwork to riding tricks to free horse shows. Highlights include unusual program items:

• 'Horse meets Stilts' — a unique choreography between Sauer and stilt walkers
• Medieval Test — horses react to flags, unusual noises, and medieval situations
• Haflinger Show Team — showcases the versatility of this breed

Family Program: Pony Rides and Carriage Rides

For the youngest visitors: Children's pony rides between the show blocks (€4 per child). Carriage rides through the city center from 12 PM to 5 PM (€4 adults, €3 children). A children's forge offers hands-on activities where children can work on small metal pieces under guidance.

Horse Flea Market on Poststraße

The traditional horse flea market takes place on Poststraße — closed from Brauerstraße to Adolf-Kolping-Straße (closure period April 18, 6:00 PM to April 19, 7:00 PM). Here, dealers sell equestrian items: saddles, bridles, halters, grooming supplies, riding apparel, and antique tack. The flea market attracts equestrian enthusiasts from across the Ruhr area and beyond.

Sunday Shopping 1 PM–6 PM

Bottrop's city center shops will be open on the Horse Market Sunday from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM — shopping and the horse show can be combined, a concept that turns Bottrop's city center into an experience stage with the Horse Market.

Bottrop in the Ruhr Area

Bottrop is an independent city in the western Ruhr area with around 117,000 inhabitants, located between Oberhausen, Gladbeck, and Dorsten. The city is known for the Halde Norddeutschland with the Tetraeder, the former Prosper-Haniel mine, and the Stauder brewery. The Horse Market reflects Bottrop's agricultural and pre-industrial roots and attracts thousands of visitors to the city center annually — a tradition that the city marketing consciously cultivates.