| We are said to be an equestrian nation and we also believe in it. The nation forming influence of horses, riding and the equestrian wanderings during the history of Hungarians is the most apparent in the love of horses that is present up to now. The ancestors of Hungarians used to live in the centre of the Eurasian nomadic pastoral life where they took active part in the domestication and utilising of horses. The first Magyar settlers of Hungary are remembered by those traditionalists who reproduce the war games of that era with their horse-shows. Their equipment consists of bows, sabres, spontoons and spears. Their traditionally prepared, wooden-framed saddles fit their horses, the Turkmenian breed, which recall the past for the visitors just as well as their yurta accommodations and their ancient dishes.
The traditions, equipment, tools and buildings of nomadic pastoral life are preserved and fostered at many places in Hortobágy and Bugacpuszta - in the possibly most magnificent plains of Europe. Our indigenous species live here in these wonderful territories: Hungarian grey cattle, buffaloes, and Hungarian species of sheep “Racka”.
Uniquely in Europe horse herders’ saddles without girth (patrac) are typical in this area: they help to follow the run away herd of horses without delay. The unique clothes and the long whip are also very characteristic of the Hungarian horse herder, the “Csikós”.
The best-known historic Hungarian horsemen are the hussars whose foundations go back to our wandering ancestors. Light cavalry corps were used to be typical of the equestrian-nomadic peoples of the Eurasian steppe from the ancient times until the 19th century. Their horses and weapons were light, their most important equipment was the bow. Ambush and return from a pretended escape were very characteristic of their tactic. This tactics became accomplished during the Magyars raiding over Europe in the 9-10th century.
The first regular hussar-regiment was set up by Maria Theresa Habsburg empress. Hungarians brought Hussars as a corps - with their decorated uniforms together with their saddling technique - into general use all over the world, from France through Russia to America.
Nowadays the memory of the light cavalry is cherished and represented by Hungarian hussar and military traditionalist associations. Their shows, wonderful marches in their uniforms are real sights.
Magyars led revolutionary innovations on several occasions. Maybe the most important of the Hungarian equestrian inventions was that of the carriage. As historians claim the coach could have been named after a small Hungarian village “Kocs” (pronounced “coach”), between Vienna and Budapest, that lived on carting and making farm wagons. In the development of harnessing tools, in the use of traces, trappings, bridles and also in the rise of the various driving methods (two-in-hand, four-in-hand and five-in-hand), Hungarian inventions and methods had a high impact on the world outside of Hungary. |
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Best rides combined with equestrian events
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