Hungary | Contact us

Best rides combined with equestrian events       Equestrian vacations in Bakony Hills       Long trail rides

Family ride at the ancient village Ópusztaszer Ópusztaszer is a little village 150 kilometres southeast from Budapest. A cemetery of the first Hungarian settlers was found here, where the dead had been buried according to pagan customs. On the place of the ancient settlement a National Memorial Park has been built with detailed exhibition about the more than 1100 years Hungarian history. The exhibition contains the world second largest cyclorama; a 120 metre long, circular panorama painting that recalls the events of Hungarian history eleven hundred years ago. The Village Museum (Skanzen) shows the folk architecture of the late 19th century and the early 20th century, while the exhibitions in the 'Temple of Forests' presents the natural heritage of the area. At the shore of a little lake white, authentic tartaric yurts can be seen; horses are grazing nearby; while the wind blows the fragrance of the grass and wild flowers. The beautiful landscape ensures pleasant holiday to all members of the family: trail riding, archery and show jumping; visiting the National Memorial Park and the Village Museum are also possible. During the ride on well-trained, calm horses, riders discover beautiful natural reserves, - riverbanks, plains, small forests. On the verge of the 21st century there are only few places in Europe, where tourists can ride a horse or a carriage as freely as in this romantic and picturesque region of Hungary. After the ride delicious food and wine are served with gracious hospitality. Beginners in horseback riding can take part in the trail ride on two horses roping to the couch. Non-riding companions are welcome to ride along in the couch. Guests can be accommodated in yurts, so they step back in time to the years of the Hungarian Conquest. There are no lights and heating in them, bathing facilities are in the neighbouring shower cabins. If required comfortable guesthouse is also available nearby. Guest ride very special horses called Akhal-Teke: Since the time of the earliest domestication of the horse, the Golden Horse of Central Asia has been prized before all other breeds. Bejewelled and decorated in gold and silk, he was ridden into battle by nomads and emperors and buried with honour in the tombs of kings, shamanesses, and warriors. Directly descended from the wild steppe horse, the Turkoman or Turkmene is the legendary horse from Fergana and Bactria where it was called the Bactrian or Turanian horse and used by the great leaders Darius and Alexander. In Chinese legends he was known as "the Heavenly Horse" and the "horse that sweats blood" and the Han Chinese felt it well worth 80,000 soldiers to obtain only 20 of these horses, such was their reputation. Five successive empires - the Scythians, Parthians, Ywati, Huns and Turkmen- invaded the area, laying waste to everything before them, but each carefully preserving these magnificent horses. Each of them kept and trained the horse with the utmost care; and in time this beautiful animal became the central figure in every culture into whose hands it came. There were excellent reasons for the horse’s many stewards to carefully preserve him. There was no other horse who could run faster, or go greater distances at speed and on little or sometimes no food and water for days on end. No other horse was more intelligent, or more devoted to its rider. No other horse had the glittering colours that helped earn it the name "The Heavenly Horse". A Unique Beauty: The Akhal-Teke is a true desert bred horse with a light, elegant build and a distinctive conformation: long tapering, aristocratic face; beautifully shaped mobile ears; wide nostrils and large expressive eyes having a proud fiery gaze. The neck is straight, long and often thin, set high on excellent sloping shoulders. The Akhal-Teke is long, lean, and, typically, narrow through the chest, making him an extremely comfortable ride. A characteristic feature is the sparse, short mane and forelock and absence of feather on the legs. The skin is very thin with a short, fine and silky coat. The overall effect is of the long, lean grace of a greyhound. Magnificent action, free and flowing; in all paces a soft, gliding, elastic stride. Quiet temperament, but easily aroused. Bold, alert and intelligent; responding well to sensitive training. The Akhal-Teke is said to be the closest to the ancient Hungarian horse breed. Not even the horses the saddles are also special: guest can ride in Hungarian type of saddle made after the ancient historical Hungarian saddles. They are very comfortable, created for longer distances. Itinerary Day 1 Arrival to Ópusztaszer. Accommodation either in yurts or in a comfortable guesthouse with double or triple rooms.                     Day 2 Semi-day test riding in the morning, first in class, then in trails in the Ópusztaszer Natural Reserve. During the morning ride the tour leader selects the horses, then the riders have the chance to get to know their equine partner and riding equipment. Facultative programs in the afternoon: archery, show jumping, visiting the National Memorial Park. Day 3 Our trail ride goes along beautiful landscapes of the Ópusztaszer Natural Reserve. In the morning we ride through the “Old oak forest”, our trails go between gently rolling hills, until in the afternoon we reach the open flat land showing us its own beauty. If we have fortune we meet a herd of Hungarian grey cattle. Day 4 During the morning ride riders get in touch with another face of the area. Leaving the Kiskunság (part of the Hungarian Great Plain), our trails head to the floodplain of the Tisza, the second largest river in the country. We pass picturesque backwaters, ride through floodplain’s jungle to get the “Nánás” bend. We leave our horses here and take a ferry to get to the inn of Mindszent, where we have lunch. In the evening as a facultative program guests can go to the Thermal Bath of Kiskunmajsa. Day 5 In the morning facultative programs: trail riding, show jumping, archery. After lunch homeward journey. Family ride at the acient village Ópusztaszer Meeting point Ópusztaszer Dates Any time of the year on request Lenght of ride 5 days, 4 nights; 3 whole day and 2 semi-day ride Accommodation 4 nights accommodation Guests can be accommodated either in authentic tartaric yurts (4-6 person/yurt)  or in guesthouse in double or triple rooms with shower Meals Full board Group size Minimum 5 Riding ability Intermediate Riding per day 4-5 hours Tack English Horses Akhal-Teke Complementary programs Archery, Show jumping for beginners, visiting the Ópusztaszer National Memorial Park, Cserkeszőlő Thermal Bath Transfer Budapest-Ópusztaszer-Budapest transfer included in the price Questions about this ride Online reservation Pegazus Equestrian Vacations Address: H-1053 Budapest, Ferenciek tere 5. Phone: +36 1 3171-644 Fax: +36 1 267-017 E-mail: mausandras@pegazus.hu Printable version Equestrian Nation Hungarian Horses

Castles and taste of wines ride & 5th Equestrian National Festival 2009        Great Plain on horseback & the World Pairs Driving Championship 2009

Trail ride in the wildly romantic Bakony Hills        Equestrian weekend in the Bakony Hills

Trail ride around medieval castles in Balaton region        Spa relaxation and riding        Castle and Lipizzaner trail ride        Family ride at the ancient village Ópusztaszer