Provisional schedule for WHOC 2026, subject to change at any time.
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Travel
COMPLETE GUIDE TO ROGLA (MOTORHOMES & CARS)
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLERS
Motorway Toll Sticker (E-vinjeta)All vehicles using Slovenian motorways must purchase an electronic toll sticker (E-vinjeta) before entering the motorway network. The vignette is linked to the vehicle registration number, and no physical sticker needs to be displayed on the windscreen. Motorhomes with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes do not use the vignette system and must instead use the DarsGo electronic toll system. Official website: https://evinjeta.dars.si --- Climb and Road Safety The road from Zreče to Rogla is fully paved, well maintained, and suitable for motorhomes, but it involves an elevation gain of approximately 1,000 metres. We recommend: using low gears when climbing; using engine braking when descending; avoiding prolonged braking to prevent overheating of the braking system. ---
RECOMMENDED ROUTE (IMPORTANT)
Regardless of your country of departure (Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, etc.), the recommended route to reach Rogla by motorhome is: Slovenian motorway A1 Exit: Slovenske Konjice Direction: Zreče Continue to Rogla via Cesta na Roglo road The only difference between countries is the motorway route used before entering Slovenia. ---
WHY THIS ROUTE IS RECOMMENDED
Rogla is located in the Pohorje mountain range and can be reached from several directions. Satellite navigation systems and some navigation apps may suggest shorter routes that are not suitable for motorhomes. The northern and western approaches may include: gradients exceeding 14–15%; forest or unpaved roads; very narrow carriageways; difficult passing conditions for large vehicles. The climb from Zreče (southern approach) is the only route specifically designed and maintained to allow safe access for tourist coaches, motorhomes, and heavy vehicles. ---
MOTORWAY TOLLS (VEHICLES UP TO 3.5 TONNES)
All vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes must use the E-vinjeta system. Class 2A Cars SUVs MPVs Motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes Indicative prices: 7 days: approximately €16 1 month: approximately €32 Annual: approximately €117.50 Class 2B Vans and non-converted panel vans Indicative prices: 7 days: approximately €32 1 month: approximately €64.10 Annual: approximately €235 Prices may be subject to change. Please always check the official DARS tariff schedule. ---
HOW TO PURCHASE THE VIGNETTE
Online Purchase (Recommended) Official website: https://evinjeta.dars.si Procedure:
Select “Buy E-vinjeta”.
Enter the country of registration and licence plate number.
Select the vehicle category.
Choose the vignette validity period.
Enter your e-mail address.
Complete the payment.
The vignette is registered immediately. Purchase During the Journey The vignette can also be purchased: at service stations near the border; at authorised Slovenian fuel stations (Petrol, MOL, etc.). Attention: always check that the registration number has been entered correctly. Any error may result in automatic penalties. ---
MOTORHOMES OVER 3.5 TONNES
Mandatory System: DarsGo Official website: https://www.darsgo.si Requirements: vehicle registration; DarsGo onboard unit; toll payment based on kilometres travelled. Depending on the vehicle’s authorised gross weight, a Category C or C1 driving licence may be required. —
ARRIVAL AT THE SUMMIT – ROGLA CAMPER STOP
The Camper Stop has been reserved exclusively for the entire event. For this occasion, each nation will have its own designated area to ensure an organised arrival process and allow participants to stay together throughout the event. A location map showing the allocated areas will be provided, and one or more coordinators will be available on-site to assist participants and facilitate access. To help ensure smooth arrival and parking operations, please do not enter the reserved areas independently, but wait for instructions from the designated staff on site. The facility offers: level pitches; electrical hook-ups; fresh water supply and waste disposal facilities; toilets and showers. Cost: €30 per 24 hours, including 2 people and tourist tax. Included: 10 kWh of electricity; barcode access to toilet facilities; shower access; access to fresh water and waste disposal station. Dogs are welcome. ---
VEHICLE WEIGHT CHECKS
The Slovenian Police and DARS carry out random weight inspections along major roads and near border crossings. In the event that a vehicle exceeds its maximum authorised weight, the following measures may apply: administrative fines; obligation to unload excess weight; possible vehicle immobilisation until compliance is restored.
PROHIBITION OF MUTILATED DOGS
In Slovenia, it is strictly forbidden to participate in competitions or exhibitions with dogs that have undergone cosmetic surgical procedures such as ear cropping (conchectomy) or tail docking (caudectomy) if they were born after 1 January 2015. The only exception allowed applies to tail docking performed for documented medical reasons, certified by a licensed veterinarian.
Info
The third edition of World Hoopers Open Championship will be held 3-6 September 2026 at the Unitur Footbal Stadium in Rogla, Slovenia
Each nation can enter 20 participants for the Individual Championship. and one team for each height category for the Nation Team Championship.
Like last year, there will be also an International Open Hooper Cup in 2026, Participation is open for everybody, not only for members of the WHOC National Teams.
The third edition of World Hoopers Open Championship will be held at the Unitur Footbal Stadium in Rogla - Slovenia (VA), an outdoor activity resort amidst unspoilt nature in northeastern Slovenia
The venue is located 115km north-east of Ljunljana, 45km south-west of Maribor
Rogla stadium
Rogla 1
3214 Rogla
Slovenia
link to Google Maps
GPS Coordinates:
46.453729062312384, 15.33483878116546
46°27'13.425"N 15°20'5.419"E
2) Bungalow Macesen
Rogla, 105, 3214 Zreče
Tel: +386 (0)3 757 71 00
Mail: rogla@unitur.eu
Distance from the venue: 3 min auto (1,1 km) rogla.eu/en/accommodation/macesen-bungalows
3) Hotel reAktiv
Slomškova ulica 4, 3214 Zreče
Tel: +386 (0)7 066 66 11
Mail: info@hotel-reaktiv.si
Distance from the venue: 25 min auto (17,3 km) hotel-reaktiv.si
5) Camping Center Kekec
Pohorska ulica 35c, 2000 Maribor
Tel: +386 (0)40 665 732, +386 (0)40 225 386
Mail: info@cck.si; bernard@cck.si
Distance from the venue: 1 ora auto (40 km) cck.si
Organisation
WHOC2026 is organized by
IN-DOG, kinološki športni center,
2317 Oplotnica
For info and details about the event write to the address below
info@whoc.dog
Future Years
2026 Slovenia - Rogla 3-6/9/2026
2027
candidate: Great Britain
2028
candidate: The Netherlands
2029 candidate: USA
WHOC
World Hoopers Open Chanmpionship (WHOC) is born from an idea of Alfonso Sabbatini, who is the legal owner of the name, acronym, logo, concept, framework, definitions, rules & regulations and everything related to it.
The mission is to provide a framework for the ultimate in hoopers competition, showcasing the highest level human/canine partnership, sportsmanship, and athleticism; and enabling all dogs, whether pedigreed or not, to compete in an environment that is focused on the sport of hoopers.
WHOC will be an annual event with the aim to be hosted by organisers in a different country each year
Nations can send their teams to participate.
Entry for teams from each country must come from only one national team leader. The national team leader wishing to seek recognition to bring its team to WHOC 2026 should contact us at
info@whoc.dog
The National Manager is responsible for writing a document that explains how people in the country can become members
of the WHOC national team. Each country’s team selection process must be non-discriminatory with regard to both handlers and dogs,
and must be approved by the WHOC organising committee.
If your country is not represented yet, you can participate is individual too
WHOC Management Structure The World Hoopers Open Championship is coordinated by a management team responsible for the development, governance, organization, and long-term continuity of the championship.
WHOC Management Team
Alfonso Sabbatini
Founder & President Alfonso Sabbatini is the Founder and President of the World Hoopers Open Championship. He created the WHOC with the vision of offering dogs and handlers from all over the world an international stage fully dedicated to Hoopers. His role is to guide the overall direction of the project, protect its values, and support the growth of the Championship as a fair, inclusive, and internationally recognised event.
Renata Maurantonio
Team Manager Coordinator
Renata Maurantonio serves as Team Manager Coordinator for the WHOC. She supports the relationship between the organisation and the national teams, helping to coordinate team-related information, communication, and operational needs before and during the Championship.
Michele Mossa
Event Administration Manager
Michele Mossa is responsible for the organisation and coordination of the WHOC event administration area. His work supports the operational structure of the Championship, with particular attention to documentation, registrations, information flows, and organisational procedures related to the event.
Clara Cavretti
Social Media & Communications Manager
Clara Cavretti is responsible for WHOC social media and communication. She supports the public image of the Championship through online content, updates, storytelling, and community engagement, helping the WHOC reach handlers, teams, and Hoopers enthusiasts worldwide.
Walter Cleva
Board Assistant – Event Operations
Walter Cleva assists the Board with operational tasks, documentation, and coordination related to the organisation of the Championship. His role supports the development of efficient workflows and the smooth management of event-related processes.
Ambassadors
WHOC Ambassadors
The WHOC Ambassadors are international representatives of the World Hoopers Open Championship who actively support the promotion and development of Hoopers worldwide.
They act as key points of reference for the WHOC community in their respective countries and help promote the visibility of WHOC at national and international level.
Ambassadors play an important role in helping WHOC reach new audiences, supporting the spread of the discipline across different countries, and encouraging the growth of the international Hoopers community.
Official WHOC Ambassadors
Tiinamari Harjula
FINLAND
WHOC International Ambassador
Tiinamari Harjula is a WHOC International Ambassador and an internationally active Hoopers and agility coach. Through Tiima Dog Sport, she focuses on helping handlers build stronger connections with their dogs, working on confidence, motivation, sensitivity, pressure management, and distance handling. With experience in agility since 1997 and with different breeds, she brings to the WHOC a coaching philosophy based on developing each dog’s potential, strengthening the relationship between dog and handler, and encouraging every team to go one step further than they thought possible. Through her seminars, international participation, and commitment to Hoopers, Tiinamari has played an important role in promoting the WHOC and sharing its values worldwide.
Lisa Nijhof
NETHERLAND
WHOC International Ambassador
Lisa Nijhof is a WHOC International Ambassador. Recognised for her international experience and contribution to the development of Hoopers, she supports the promotion of the WHOC through seminars, participation, and professional engagement. Her work helps strengthen the international identity of the Championship and encourages the growth of Hoopers worldwide.
Romy van Beek
NETHERLAND
WHOC International Ambassador
Romy van Beek is a WHOC International Ambassador. As an internationally respected Hoopers professional, she contributes to the promotion and dissemination of the WHOC through seminars, participation, and active support of the project. Her commitment helps connect the Championship with the wider international Hoopers community.
Each Ambassador represents WHOC within their community and contributes to the promotion of the championship through visibility, communication, and engagement activities.
Role of WHOC Ambassadors
WHOC Ambassadors may be involved in:
Promoting WHOC at national and international level
Supporting the visibility and development of Hoopers in their country or region
Acting as a reference point for local communities interested in WHOC
Encouraging participation in WHOC events and initiatives
Sharing WHOC values and supporting its international growth
Ambassadors are expected to represent WHOC positively and consistently within their networks and communities.
About the Programme
The WHOC Ambassador Programme is designed to build a strong international network of representatives who help promote WHOC globally and support the continued growth of Hoopers across different countries.
Hosts
Host Country Application Procedure
Bid Procedure for Future WHOC Hosting
WHOC is committed to a transparent and structured process for assigning future World Championship editions.
Any Team Manager may submit a bid on behalf of their country to host a future WHOC edition.
All submitted bids will be evaluated by WHOC Management, which will determine the host country and the year of assignment.
The submission of a bid does not guarantee selection.
WHOC Management reserves the right to request additional information, supporting documentation, venue inspections, or online meetings before making a final decision.
All decisions regarding host country selection are made by WHOC Management.
Once selected, the organisation of the WHOC will be entrusted to the Team Manager of the host country for the year of the event, who will act as the official Local Organising Team Manager.
If needed, the appointed Team Manager may request support or input from the Team Manager who submitted the original bid, in order to facilitate continuity and knowledge transfer. Any such support will be managed directly between the parties involved.
In case of changes in the national Team Manager over time, WHOC Management will liaise directly with the current Team Manager responsible for the event year, ensuring effective coordination and continuity.
Minimum Requirements
To be eligible as a host candidate, the proposed venue must meet the following minimum requirements:
- An sports facility, equestrian centre (riding arena) or other suitable venue
- A competition field of at least 50 × 30 metres
- Adequate space for camper vans and tents
- Catering services available on site or nearby
- Accommodation options in the surrounding area
Additional Information The WHOC is scheduled to take place during the first week of September each year.
Once a host country has been confirmed, a formal agreement will be signed between WHOC Management and the organising team, defining responsibilities, operational requirements, branding rules, financial arrangements, and event standards.
Countries interested in hosting a future WHOC edition are invited to contact WHOC Management for further information.
Judges
WHOC Judges
The World Hoopers Open Championship (WHOC) maintains an international network of qualified judges to support future Championships and official WHOC events.
Our goal is to promote high judging standards, consistency, fairness, and the continued development of Hoopers worldwide.
Alessandro Ferrero (Italy)
WHOC Judge & WHOC Judges Coordinator
Alessandro Ferrero is responsible for the management of the WHOC Judges Register, the review of new judge applications, and the coordination of judges for future WHOC events.
Official WHOC Judges Register
The Official WHOC Judges Register includes judges who have applied and have been approved for consideration at future WHOC Championships and official WHOC events.
The judges listed below may be considered for future appointments based on event requirements, availability, experience, qualifications, and the needs of the championship.
Adrienn Juhász
HUNGARY
Adrienn Juhász is an International Hoopers Judge from Hungary and co-founder of Hoopers Hungary, where she has played a key role in developing one of the country's first structured Hoopers education systems and competition regulations. She is actively involved as an instructor, seminar leader and course designer, with a strong focus on clear communication and dog-centred training. As both competitor and judge, she brings a practical understanding of the sport from multiple perspectives and has judged in several Eurorn countries
Tereza Jelínková
CZECH REPUBLIC
Tereza is an International Hoopers Judge from the Czech Republic, active since 2020. She has designed and judged competitions for dogs and handlers across different levels, with a strong focus on fair, fluent and dog-friendly courses. She also represented the Czech Republic at WHOC 2024, placing sixth in the first Large category round. Her experience as both judge and competitor gives her a valuable understanding of Hoopers from multiple perspectives.
Barbora Banýrová
CZECH REPUBLIC
Barbara is an International Hoopers Judge from the Czech Republic and the Czech representative on the FCI Hoopers Commission. With 25 years of experience in Agility and seven years in Hoopers, she is also an active competitor with three small dogs. She dedicates much of her work to developing the sport both in the Czech Republic and internationally, contributing to Hoopers activities in countries including Germany, Slovakia and Japan.
Ari Valkhoff
NETHERLAND
Ari is an experienced Hoopers Judge and Trainer, active in the sport since 2015 and judging since 2018. With more than 25 years of experience across different dog sports, she brings a broad understanding of canine learning, handling and competition. She has judged national and international events and is known for designing fluent, safe and technically balanced courses. Her work also includes coaching handlers and supporting the development of dogs from beginner to competition level.
Wilma Nieboer
NETHERLAND
Wilma is an experienced Hoopers Judge, Trainer and international competitor from the Netherlands. She has been judging since 2018, has officiated the Dutch Championship several times and has contributed to the training of new judges. She has also supported WHOC qualification events in the Netherlands. As a competitor, she has represented her country at the World Hoopers Championship, achieving sixth place in the Individual Small category and third place with the national team.
Paulien Vreede
NETHERLAND
Paulien is a Hoopers Judge and competitor from the Netherlands, active in the sport since 2014. Her experience spans both national and international Hoopers, giving her familiarity with different rules, judging approaches and competition styles. She is strongly committed to continuous learning and to the development of the sport, combining practical experience as a competitor with a broad and open perspective on international Hoopers.
Become a WHOC Judge
WHOC is actively building an international pool of experienced Hoopers judges for future Championships and official WHOC events.
If you would like to be considered as a WHOC judge, please send us:
- Your CV, including experience and qualifications in Hoopers
- A recent photograph
- Your contact details and country of residence
Applications must be sent by email to:
whocjudges@gmail.com
Applications will be reviewed by the WHOC Judges Coordinator and the WHOC Management based on experience, qualifications, international involvement, and the needs of future events.Approved candidates may be included in the Official WHOC Judges Register and considered for future appointments at international events.
We welcome applications from experienced judges worldwide and aim to continue supporting the growth of Hoopers through the WHOC community.
WHOC Judges Through the Years
This section recognises the judges who have officiated at previous WHOC editions.
