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HISTORY

In 1966 a few people from Tilburg wanted to organise a international horse show to honor their fellow townsman Toon Ebben. Ton Jansen, Harrie van Dijk and Henk Brands wanted to use the new Ijshall in Tilburg, but there was no space available. The mayor of ‘s-Hertogenbosch at the time, Robert Lambooy, heard that they were in contact with the Brabanthallen and called Daddy Stibbe: “Something equestrian is going to happen in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, but they are all from Tilburg. That can not be and they are looking for a show president. You should do that and my daughter can manage the secretariat.” That is how Daddy Stibbe became the first show president of Indoor Brabant in 1966. This all happened just three months before the start of the first edition. Daddy Stibbe was able to make Indoor Brabant a real happening from the start. 

After five years Daddy Stibbe left, because his interest moved to eventing. Jan van Oekel became the new show president. Van Oekel stepped back after 25 years in 1996. Under his presidency Indoor Brabant developed into Holland’s largest indoor event . In 1979 Indoor Brabant joined the World Cup Jumping circuit and in 1986 the World Cup Dressage was added to the programme and the first Dressage final was held at Indoor Brabant. In total Indoor Brabant organized the Dressage Final 11 times. The first dressage competitions were held in 1983. 

In the beginning of the 90s the Brabanthallen complex underwent a extensive reconstruction and in 1991 the new Brabanthal was used for the first time by Indoor Brabant. The reconstruction resulted in Indoor Brabant organizing the World Cup Jumping Final in 1994 which was won in a spectacular way by Jos Lansink with Libero H. In 1995 another discipline was added to the programme: indoor four-in-hand driving. 

In 1996 Martien van den Heuvel took over from Jan van Oekel. Van den Heuvel was in the board already for 12,5 years as vice-president and treasurer. Van den Heuvel became the president of the Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) in 2002 and Gerrit-Jan Swinkels became the new show president of Indoor Brabant. 

In 2001 Indoor Brabant had to be cancelled due to swine fever. 

In 2010 the Brabanthallen again underwent a renovation, the part which was declared a listed building in 2002. The organising of the World Cup Finals Jumping and Dressage in 2012 was one of the highlights in the history of Indoor Brabant. As well as the farewell ceremonies with Bonfire and Salinero of Anky van Grunsven, who joined the board of Indoor Brabant in 2013. 

In 2013 the last World Cup Jumping qualifier was held in the Brabanthallen and since 2014 this main class of Indoor Brabant is called the Rolex Grand Prix. 

In 2015, Anky van Grunsven became chairman of the board of Stichting Internationaal Concours Hippique Indoor Brabant. With the tragic death of Gerrit Jan Swinkels on 25 May that year, a highly appreciated and important inspirator fell away from the board of Indoor Brabant. For over forty years, Gerrit Jan contributed to the growth and expansion of Indoor Brabant in various positions and at various levels, and since 2002 he wielded the gavel.

After the 2017 edition, it was announced that Indoor Brabant was going to become part of the prestigious Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. With this, Indoor Brabant became the fourth event in this Grand Slam alongside the three ‘top competitions “ of the world: CHIO Aachen in Germany, CSIO Spruce Meadows ”Masters’ in Canadian Calgary and CHI Geneva in Switzerland, home of Rolex. With this ‘upgrade’ also came a new logo and a new name: The Dutch Masters-Indoor Brabant Horse Show. In 2018, the first major was held, won by Belgian Niels Bruynseels. That year, a new hall was also added, the Gerrit-Jan Swinkels hall.

In 2019, there was an emotional farewell to Zenith SFN with whom Jeroen Dubbeldam became World and European champion (team and individual).

In 2020, The Dutch Masters had to be cancelled at the very last minute due to the Corona pandemic. The impact was great but thanks to all the support from all involved, The Dutch Masters came through this well. In 2021, the event was organised in a slimmed-down form with only internaitonal show jumping competitions. In 2022, dressage was also back on the programme and there was a wonderful farewell to Verdi TN of Maikel van der Vleuten. In 2023, The Dutch Masters was back as before including arena 2.

In 2024, it was announced that Jeroen Dubbeldam was to succeed Frank Kemperman who had been involved in The Dutch Masters for 22 years as sport director.