Hungarian horsemanship

Whilst at Opustaszer, I took the opportunity to visit a display of traditional Hungarian horsemanship. Based on the equestrian skills of the nomad riders who founded the Hungarian nation over a millenium ago, it was most impressive.

Four riders, two men and two women, gave a display of horseback archery, sparring with swords, target practice with the sword and javellin, and a traditional game where nomads competed to pick up a fleece off the ground and keep it from the others. The lattermost was especially wild, no-holds-barred, the riders pummelling one-another, pulling hair (it was not just the girls that wore long hair), pushing and shoving. The sort of thing that only friends can do together on horses that get along well together.

The riding was fast and furious, the riders agile, the horses athletic. They were energetic Hungarian breeds, based on the Arabian, and well suited to the vast, sandy plains that comprise much of Hungary. It wasn't a great leap of imagination to see these people and their horses galloping across the steppes, shouting with high spirits, seeking the next skirmish, as they carved a path of hoofprints all the way from Asia to Europe.

This is a very different sort of horsemanship to that with which I am accustomed here. Hungary is a great equestrian nation, whilst Romania is a land of draught horses. It was a pleasure to experience a riding culture again, and to be thrilled by these confident young people careering around a riding arena showing off their skills.

Towards the end of the display, the two male riders each selected a slight young woman from the crowd, lifted her onto his horse behind the saddle, and took her for a trip around the nearer part of the arena. It was good to see that the crowd can be involved in this spectacular display, shown in the third image, not just because of the excellent horsemanship, but because of the well-trained, sensible and wonderfully quiet horses.

Reader, if you have the chance, visit Hungary to experience the horsemanship. There are excellent places to see riding displays, Opustaszer and Hortobagy amongst them. It is well worth the journey to seek out these fine riders and their lovely horses. Just keep an eye on your daughter, when she sees these tall, handsome men on their fine horses.

Comments

[Ariella]

Those are fascinating pictures. Thanks for posting them!

I'm curious about the equestrian sword fighting. Were the riders actually competing with each other or was it more of a theatrical presentation? In the last few years, the Historical European Martial Arts movement has unearthed some fascinating information on medieval equestrian martial arts, but as far as I know, Hungary is uncharted territory for them. For an idea of what was happening elsewhere in Europe, there's an online version of Fiore dei Liberi's 1410 treatise, the Flower of Battles, here:

http://www.aemma.org/onlineResources/liberi/wildRose/section7.html

Ariella

[Ariella]

Oops! I already posted that link a couple of months ago, didn't I? Anyway, fascinating pictures!

[transylvanianhorseman]

Hi Ariella, the Hungarian nation has a strong equestrian tradition, drawing on the nomads that founded their nation. There are groups that preserve mounted skills such as archery. The sword fighting was more of a theatrical display in this case (the swords were wooden too), however the riders were skilled and the horses well trained. I expect that Hungarian mounted warfare merits study. Especially earlier on, before mounted warfare metamorphosed into clashes between armoured knights.

I'd like to see these Hungarian riders meet Native American equestrians. It would be an interesting link between two strong equestrian cultures.

[tracey]

I think I shall leave my daughter at home, then... (and perhaps my husband as well, lol!)

[transylvanianhorseman]

Hi Tracey, those horsemen are rather dashing, take care:)

[I Gallop On]

Absolutely wonderful. I saw a clip of what looked like some sort of Hungarian horse festival on TV years ago. The anchor remarked something like "crazy Hungarians and their horses"... I would love to see something like this. My son would love the archery on horseback. And, of course, anything to do with swords!

[transylvanianhorseman]

Kimberly, I can see that you need a European holiday! There are some great places to see traditional Hungarian riding. Even some horseback archery clubs. I'm sure that we can track down a place where you and your son can learn horseback archery. As a vaulter, you will have the balance for fast hands-off riding whilst maneuvring to shoot arrows. Then a nice relaxing week riding in Transylvania. Oh, and the Spanish Rising School isn't far away in Vienna.

[I Gallop On]

Now that sounds like a plan. Archery, vaulting, trail riding, dressage ...

Will have to save my pennies. :-)

Kimberly

[ramzesramz]

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