No National Holiday without a Foal Championship, Says Agriculture Minister

Hungary Today 2023.08.21.

“This afternoon I was at the National Riding School, where I attended the results announcement and awards ceremony,” reported Agriculture Minister István Nagy on Sunday on his social media website.

This year, like in previous years, the breeders presented their most beautiful and promising foals born in 2023 to the public, the minister wrote. “There were 56 entries, mare/foal pairs – Hungarian sport and sport half-breed in this year’s event. The foals were judged in stallion and mare categories, with 6-6 places in each category, and one final champion in each category,” he continued.

The aim of the National Association of Hungarian Sport Horse Breeders is to breed horses that combine the successful lines of European sport horse breeding with the traditional values of the Hungarian horse,”

the politician explained. “Looking at today’s results, I believe that the Hungarian nation is a horse nation, no doubt about it!” – István Nagy concluded.

Photo: Facebook/Magyar Sportlótenyésztők Országos Egyesülete

Fact

Breeding Philosophy of the National Association of Hungarian Sport Horse Breeders (NAHSHB): The Association has set itself the goal of breeding successful horses in various disciplines of equestrian sports. The targeted horse is a type based on broad genetic foundations that combines the successful lines of modern European sport horse breeding with the traditional values of the Hungarian horse. Their goal is to breed healthy, capable and brave individuals, whose excellent appearance and easy rideability make them suitable even for the highest level of competition. It is also their goal that their horses provide excellent raw material for both domestic and foreign breeders. However, professional level sport is not the sole goal of the majority of riders and horse-loving audiences. Keeping their needs in mind, the NAHSHB produces a type that is an ideal companion with its attractive appearance, easy handling, and versatile usability. To achieve common goals, it is essential that their horses are healthy and as free from genetic defects as possible.

Agriculture Minister István Nagy (L) congratulating the Stallion Champion Foal breeder.

The whole program can be rewatched on the Facebook page of the Riding School of the Hungarian National Riding Hall (Tattersall (Nemzeti Lovarda Budapest – Tattersall), under the following link.

Fact

After years of stagnation, the National Riding Hall has been revitalized thanks to a broad and very determined citizen’s coalition. It is today run by the N.L. Sports Facilities Ltd., a company set up by the N.L. Sports Facilities Foundation. Those who have worked for the survival of Tattersall can look back on the past period as a success story. Its history begins in 1877, when the “Limited Company for the Promotion of Horse Breeding” was established to promote the development of horse breeding in the country by organizing fairs, exhibitions, and competitions.

On the 46,000 square meter plot of land next to the Keleti railway station, the group began its operations and, because of its activities, like other European equestrian establishments, the name of the English horse dealer Richard Tattersall became a trademark, and the people of Pest began to refer to the park as “Tattersall.”

In 1931, the old stables were renovated and the second largest covered riding hall in Europe was built. The magnificent indoor riding arena was demolished during communism in 1952, leaving only the main building, the “Kóbli.” In 1956, it was taken over by the Ministry of Agriculture, and in the 1960s, it “inherited” the name “National Riding Hall,” since the original one behind the National Museum, designed by Miklós Ybl, was demolished.

The resources of the institution, which was mainly state-funded, were dwindling after the change of the regime, and by 2006, the equestrian community was threatened with closure of the Riding School due to the unfavorable situation. This is when the citizen’s coalition stepped in and saved the National Riding Hall from disappearance.

The National Riding Hall then:

Kerepesi Road, the site of the National Riding School (Tattersall) in 1913. Buildings on Lóvásár Street in the background. Photo donor: Zichy mansion, Zala. Source: Fortepan

and now:

The National Riding Hall today. Photo by lovasfoto.hu – Krisztina Hajdu via Facebook/Nemzeti Lovarda Budapest – Tattersall

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Featured images: Facebook/Nagy István