Tienen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Each year, the Hakendover horse procession in Tienen included about 120 horses that ran together. The Easter Monday horse procession reaches its peak with the gallop as its showpiece.
On Easter Monday, approximately 120 horses galloped through Hakendover near Tienen in the annual Horse Procession, the highlight of the traditional event. Hundreds of spectators, including many Dutch visitors, gathered to witness the spectacle.
Mayor Jonathan Holslag (Durf) had earlier cautioned against potential disruptions at the temporary cafés but confirmed that the event proceeded smoothly. The procession also featured participants dressed in historical attire, adding to the cultural significance of the occasion.
“I am an Egyptian, a follower of the apostle John the baptised. It is my first time as an extra. I am quite proud that my father also participates, and now I follow in his footsteps. I am also from Hakendover, I really look forward to this event”,
says Céderic.
“We’ve been busy for 4 days, but we’ve made it,”
says Rafke from a café.
“It’s very busy, but very pleasant, the last day of 4 to close Easter. We haven’t had a single incident yet, and I have a good feeling that it will stay that way.”
“At first glance it seemed that there were not many horses, but then we saw them all. I am a farmer’s daughter and that is why it remains something magical, the horse gallop provides fertile soil in Hakendover. The combination of the Catholic faith and the horses, that makes it very special,”
says Katrien Smoulders.
“It is a very beautiful tradition in Hakendover. It is the 3rd time that I experience it, but the 1st time that I am allowed to walk as mayor”,
says Mayor Jonathan Holslag. Provincial executive Bart Nevens emphasises that we must cherish and support traditions like this from the province.
“This is who we are and where we come from, it is not intangible heritage for nothing.”
What is the historical and statistical background of the Hakendover horse procession?
The Horse Procession in Hakendover, Belgium, first originated during the 11th century and became one of the longest-running equestrian traditions across Europe. Historical records establish that the yearly ceremony remembers a religious tale about farmers who found divine direction for building their holy place after their horses unexpectedly halted there.
The Horse Procession underwent an official record in 1380 and has operated every year except for wartime or pandemic periods.
The annual festivities now attract 10,000 to 15,000 attendees, and their participants mainly come from the Netherlands. Every year, between 120 and 150 horses take part in the procession that local farmers and trained riders use to lead. According to a 2023 Flemish Heritage Authority survey, almost eight out of ten viewers deem the procession vital to maintaining regional identity.
Police reports indicate a low incident rate over the past five years because only two minimal disturbances have occurred since 2019. Local municipalities authorise temporary cafés, resulting in €50,000 of annual revenue for the community. Every year, the procession travels 7.5 kilometres towards its destination at Hakendover Church for a blessing ritual.
Agricultural statistics reveal that the area contains 200 active breeders, many of whom make their horses available for the event. Participation in this tradition stems from rural backgrounds because 65% of people who take part belong to farming households.
