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The Hucul Horse Races at Aggtelek National Park are a new type of modern competition specifically developed to test and gauge the hucul breed of horse. The goal is to put the horses through their paces on a course built on extremely difficult hilly terrain, and thus demonstrate their extraordinary skills and knowledge in navigating and overcoming obstacles.August 22-24, 2014
For the full draft programme, please click here.
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The Hucul Horse Races at Aggtelek National Park are a new type of modern competition specifically developed to test and gauge the hucul breed of horse. The goal is to put the horses through their paces on a course built on extremely difficult hilly terrain, and thus demonstrate their extraordinary skills and knowledge in navigating and overcoming obstacles.August 17-18, 2013
Please see the programme here.
Report on the 4th Jósvafő Hucul Horse Riding Days 2012
Hucul Path Competition - International Farrier Competition
The annual Josvafo Hucul Horse Riding Days took place in the open-air riding-hall of Jósvafő on 18-19th August 2012, for the fourth time.
This year’s programme was unconventional as simultaneously to the Hucul Path Competition another program, the International Farrier Competition was held: farriers from the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary measured their knowledge in craftsmanship both in student and professional categories. Visitors experienced the ancient strength and energies settled in the trade of farriers, the atmosphere was cheery and hilarious, competitors went to the hole hog as if their own life would depend on every single stroke, therefore attracting also those visitors that were not really interested in this profession before. The strict and world-wide acknowledged judges from England and France guaranteed fairness and justice at the competition and added a lot to the festive mood with their humorous and adventurous personalities, as well. Hopefully, the following years will see and host the farriers in Jósvafő, as well.
The Hucul Horse Days started on Friday with the breeding inspection organised by the Association of Pony- and Small Horse Breeders - the most attractive mare and stallion were prized.
On Saturday the most enthusiastic riders, the children competed firstly in the Hucul Path, followed by the adult competitors, riders of the Aggtelek National Park Directorate won both categories. In order to attract the older ones, the senior category was held in the afternoon, closing the day with the popular Polo-ride.
Sunday's programme began with the sport competition with time-failure scoring among the 20 starters bringing glory to a Hungarian rider. No doubt, the riders from Hawłowice were the happiest with the results of the horse jumping and the carriage driving competitions as winning in both events. The beloved Polish riders from Hawłowice and Gładysów met the competitions with success. Magistrates of our government represented the competitions and presented the competitors with never seen amounts of offerings from sponsors therefore levelling up the standards of competition.
Competitions and the Huculpath
Huculs competed in Hungary initially in coach-driving in the country’s Pony Driving Championship, taking second place in 2003 and coming first the following year with Dávid Kovács as coachman. In 2004 the horses were entered for long-distance trials as well, and two mares pulling a mail-coach completed a route from Kazincbarcika in Hungary to Krakow, Poland over five days.
Hungarian huculs first entered the Huculpath competition in 2005 in Gladyszow, Poland and have participated every year since then. In 2008 the Huculpath competition was held for the first time in Hungary, and from 2009 a team of young riders regularly participated in GYEPOSZ competitions, achieving good results, most notably second place in the National Gallop’s Small Cavalryman charge.
What is the Huculpath?
Huculpath is a form of equestrian competition which also became the basis of the breeds’ rearing test. It pits the horses against extremely difficult mountainous terrain, incorporating man-made and natural obstacles such as fords, narrow ditches, raised and tilting planks, steep ravines, stream beds and other elements that put horse and rider to the test.
Huculpath competitions are split into five categories:
Category A: For children, within a confined area, so the coach can help the rider. The court should not contain jumps.
Category B: Beginner horse or beginner rider on the path’s main obstacles via a simple route.
Category C: Skills competition for hucul horses, with raised planks, jumps and difficult terrain requiring good preparation from the rider.
Category D: Fast, using error-time scoring with fixed and higher jumps and combinations. Category D entrants must all complete a start-permit exam.
Category E: Equestrian sport using the most extreme technical obstacles and military barriers, testing the preparation of rider, horse and trainer.
