Hungarian Equestrian Culture to take Center Stage at the Four-in-hand World Championship

The organizers are putting the finishing touches to the FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-hand in Szilvásvárad (northeastern Hungary). “With less than a month to go until the start, we are putting the finishing touches to the event. The marathon course is always the most popular in the field, where we are trying to maintain the current state of readiness, only painting work remains, but we could also organize a race tomorrow,” said Dávid Cseri, director of the National Stud Farm (Állami Ménesgazdaság) in Szilvásvárad.

The expert said that although seven obstacles were enough for the previous World Cups, an eighth obstacle had to be built on the marathon course directly for the World Championships. A second water obstacle was also built to the delight of the audience, as fans are usually the most numerous around the water.

“In recent years, we have thoroughly tested the central venue, the Lipica Equestrian Center in Szilvásvárad, which hosts both dressage and steeplechase, in both the Olympic and Olympic disciplines: the facility has hosted 5,000 horses and riders from more than 30 nations over two years. What it was built for has achieved its purpose. The facility is ready for the World Championship, all that remains is to decorate and clean it up,” said the director.

As for the accompanying events, Dávid Cseri noted that the opening ceremony will take place on September 4 at 6 p.m., with the participation of the Hussars and the National Equestrian Unit, as well as Lipizzaner horses in the program. There will also be an emphasis on the presentation of the celebrated drivers of the 1984 Szilvásvárad World Championship.

After the prize-giving ceremony, a Hungarikum equestrian gala will be held on Friday at 7 p.m., presenting not only the Lipizzaner horse but the entire Hungarian equestrian culture to the world,”

said Cseri.

Fact

The Lipizzaner is a breed of horse declared a national treasure in Hungary, developed in the Habsburg Empire in the sixteenth century. Although it is found all over the world, the Hungarian breed stands out for its exceptional genetic value. Its coat is usually grey. It is a docile and obedient breed, and internationally very successful in horse driving competitions.

Lipizzaner. Photo: Facebook/Állami Ménesgazdaság Szilvásvárad

Tickets for the Four-in-hand driving on Thursday and Friday and for the final obstacle driving on Sunday will be HUF 4,990-6,990, while the most spectacular event, the marathon on Saturday, will be free of charge.

The World Championship will take place between September 4-8.

Related article

Show and Championship of the Unique Turkmen Horse Breed Held in Bábolna

Fifty-nine horses from eleven countries competed in the event.Continue reading

Via MTI, Featured image: Facebook/Állami Ménesgazdaság Szilvásvárad