The Hungarian Mystique! |
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The Hungarian Mystique is no mystery. The Kisber Hungarian Felver has been carefully bred in Hungary for centuries. The result is an athletic yet sensible breed, such as the Heavenly Hungarians of Uff-Da Farm. |
The Result of Centuries of Selective Breeding, |
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the Hungarian horse was developed from native stock of “meadow horses” created by the Magyar (Hungarian) people before 800 AD. Many generations of the finest Arab, Turkish, and Persian bloodlines were bred into this stock producing strong and beautiful horses: taller than the original horses and with more stamina and speed. In the 1600's, Spanish bloodlines were added bringing additional speed and beauty. The “final touch” was introduced in the 18th century with the addition of the English Thoroughbred. The Hungarian Horse can be best described as “high in blood” (horses developed with out draft horse blood lines). With performance as the prime consideration, Hungarian Horses were rigorously tested and culled. The addition of “blood” has always been considered an enhancement to the breed as Hungarian Horses are admired for their athletic ability and temperament above all else. This selective breeding developed a virtually “fixed” breed that produced strictly according to type, a substantial horse of 15:2 to 16:1 hands with good bone, ground covering gaits and an exceptional temperament. There is an old saying among horsemen: “BLUT IS DER SAFT DER WUNDERSCHAFT” Blood is the juice that works miracles!
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One of the oldest pure European breeds, |
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The Kisber Hungarian Horse has a rich heritage of service to mankind. Often referred to as “The Heavenly Hungarians” for their tremendous willingness and heart. These horses were originally bred for use as calvary mounts and became known all over Europe as the finest available. Doubling as cart horses to pull artillery and provision wagons led to their use as fine carriage horses. |
The Kisber horses are extremely athletic |
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yet refined with great bone and substance and have an exceptional temperament. The horses exhibit extreme loyalty and willingly handle the many duties expected of them. Because of these qualities, the Kisber Hungarian half-bred became world renown and highly sought after by Europeans before WWII as sport and carriage horses. This splendid breed was almost lost during the war as many horses throughout Hungary were slaughtered by soldiers for meat. Others were used as beasts of burden and many went to the German serum institute which used the horses' blood to make medicines.
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Hungarian Horses were shipped to the US |
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after WWII through the efforts of Col. F.L. Hamilton and the U.S. Calvary. Accompanied by the Lipizzaners portrayed in the Walt Disney movie “The Flight of the White Stallions”, these horses were considered spoils of war. When the US Army Remount Service was disbanded in 1949, they were sold at auction.
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Purchased by ranchers |
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who recognized Hungarian horses as a hearty breed with stamina and heart. Jim Edwards in Montana, Steve Cooksley in Nebraska, and a few others selected and bred the Hungarians for use on their expansive ranches to herd cattle and do everyday ranch duties. The horses were well suited to the long hours and were tough enough to handle the terrain of a cattle ranch.
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There were two other Hungarian Horse breeders |
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in the United States unknown to those who bought the remount stock. Countess Margit Bessenyey on her Bitteroot Stock Farm in Montana and Countess Judith Gyurky, owner of Port O'Ferry Farm in Virginia. Countess Gyurky had fled her native Hungary on foot during the war in order to save her horses. Beginning her journey with over 60 horses, a mere 13 survived the torturous journey to America.
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To preserve the beloved Hungarian, |
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| Countessess Bessenyey and Gyurky began breeding programs to keep the bloodlines true to the standard of the Kisber horses. The paths of Countess Bessenyey and rancher Jim Edwards crossed quite by accident one day. She was out driving her Rolls Royce when she came upon a gray stallion standing in a pasture. The car came to a sliding stop in a ditch at the side of the road. Countess Bessenyey jumped out and climbed over the pasture fence, walked up to the stallion, stood before him and blew her breath into his nostrils. The sight of this complete stranger standing in his pasture with his stallion was rather disturbing to Jim Edwards. He rushed out to see what this woman was doing. The Coutness had recognized the Hungarian stallion as Honpolgar IV and was immediately drawn to him. She offered to buy him but an exchange agreement was made instead. Jim Edwards loved his equine companion and was not about to sell him. Jim did, however, recognize the importance of his stallion to the Hungarian blood lines. In order to preserve the bloodlines of this fascinating breed, the two Coutneses, Cookesleys and Edwards joining forces in 1966 to establish the Hungarian Horse Association of America. | |
Tries This and That and foal sired by Hungarian Pajkos |
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The Hungarian Horse has been in the US longer than any other European breed |
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and has also been the best kept secret. They have been sold here for over 50 years. Many highly respected riders have been very successful with their Hungarian Horses. Linda Tellington Jones rode H. Pallo as a hunter and in endurance, as well as H. Duma in steeplechase. She rode H. Nicsak in combined training and dressage, H. Brado as a hunter and placed in the the top 10 at a Tevis Cup endurance race. Olympic medalist Hilda Gurney, rode H. Pasha in dressage. Kerry Milliken with HMS (Hungarian Magyar Sportlo) Dash was also on an Olympic team. Jo Struby won numerous awards eventing with H. Nicholas. Several world championship medals have been won by Hungarian teams. Currently, a Hungarian stallion H.Wistar is a contender for the US Olympic Dressage team. Hungarians are exceptional athletes with heart and an endearing quality that will win you over at your first meeting.
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Frozen semen from Hungary is available |
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through a partnership with The Hungarian Horse Association of America and the Kisber Association in Hungary. In order to improve their respective small gene pools, the two associations came to an agreement to exchange frozen semen from selected stallion in each country. The Kisber Association of Hungary sent semen from two Kisber stallion to the US, Szeplak XVIII and Bob Herzog. They also came to the US and toured Hungarian breeding farms looking at stallions and their offspring. H. Pajkos of Uff-Da Farm and H. Taltos were selected to participate in this semen exchange. Several foals have been born as a result of this relationship. This was an extremely important event for the continued development and improvement of gene pools of Hungarian horses in both countries.
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Hungarian Androcleus, Sired by H. Gavaller by Szeplak XVIII |
The Heavenly Hungarians of Uff-Da Farm are very special. We are always thrilled to tell people about the Hungarian Mystique! Written by Patricia Vogel, Founder of Uff-Da Farm |
Hungarian Pajkos 
