Between 5 and 7 June, Hortobágy will once again come to life as one of Hungary’s most iconic equestrian events, the 57th Hortobágy Equestrian Days, takes place. The three-day festival is a unique meeting point of tradition and modern equestrian culture, where centuries-old pastoral heritage, spectacular competitions and family-friendly activities come together to create an unforgettable experience for every generation.

The venue will once again be the legendary Mátai Stud Farm, which has played a defining role in the history of Hungarian horse breeding since 1671. One of the key missions of Hortobágy Equestrian Days is to bring this heritage closer to visitors: the skills of the horse herdsmen, the traditions of carriage driving, and the unique bond that can develop between horse and rider.

Throughout the three-day programme, visitors can enjoy exciting showjumping competitions, the National Herdsman Championship and rounds of the National Carriage Driving League. Alongside combined and simultaneous carriage-driving contests, spectacular highlights will include relay races, Puszta Five demonstrations and evening horse shows, including the audience-favourite fire performance.

This year will once again feature the prestigious Hortobágy Derby showjumping competition, which has a long-standing tradition. Held in the grass arena, the course features more than twenty jumps, presenting a serious challenge to riders arriving from all across the country.

This year’s host will once again be Gábor Gundel-Takács, joined by Péter Szladek as expert commentator.

One of the most popular attractions of the Equestrian Days each year is the Children’s Horse Village, which once again welcomes families across several thousand square metres. Over the course of three days, the focus will be on play, creativity and preserving traditions. The youngest visitors can enjoy folk games, arts and crafts activities, dance houses, interactive performances and special demonstrations.

Special productions will take turns on stage and across the event grounds, including the creative world of Kuckó Artists’ Camp, energetic performances by the Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble, and authentic shows by the Debrecen Folk Ensemble, all bringing the richness of Hungarian folk culture closer to children and families alike. The festive fair atmosphere will be provided by the Garagulya Stilt-Walking Comedy Company, while the Szeredás Folk Music Ensemble invites audiences on a true journey through time.

The series of unique experiences is further enriched by Ferkó Kádár’s Photo Theatre, where children can instantly become characters from the past and take part in Hortobágy’s stories through special period photographs.

The theme of this year’s Equestrian Days is the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, drawing even greater attention to this unique cultural heritage. The event will also welcome János Bordás, one of the few people to have earned the title of “Lifetime Shepherd” while still actively working as a horse herdsman.

At the craft fair, organised with the support of the Hajdú-Bihar County Craft Association, numerous representatives of traditional trades connected to pastoral life will present and sell their handcrafted goods. The fair offers visitors a unique opportunity to gain closer insight into the crafts and traditions associated with Hortobágy’s pastoral culture.

On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can also enjoy a costume and fashion show presented by the Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble, where traditional folk motifs are reimagined through modern clothing designs, creating a bridge between past and present.

The Hortobágy Equestrian Days are more than just an event — they are simultaneously an experience, a tradition and a community celebration. A weekend where past and present meet on the endless horizon of the puszta.

Full Programme

Friday, 5 June

Showjumping Arena
• 09:00–12:00 – 80–100 cm Showjumping Competitions
• 13:00–17:00 – 110–130 cm Showjumping Competitions

Main Arena
• 14:00–15:00 – Showjumping
• 15:00–16:00 – Hortobágy Heritage Performance
• 16:00–17:00 – National Carriage Driving League (Combined Event)
• 17:00–18:00 – Herdsman Demonstration, Puszta Five
• 18:00–18:30 – Stud Herd Drive

Saturday, 6 June

Showjumping Arena
• 09:00–12:00 – 80–100 cm Showjumping Competitions
• 14:00–17:00 – 110–130 cm Showjumping Competitions

Main Arena
• 11:30–13:30 – Showjumping Derby
• 13:30–14:00 – Hortobágy Heritage Performance
• 13:45 – Official Opening Ceremony with a welcome speech by László Papp, Mayor of Debrecen
• 14:30–15:00 – Devil Rider Pony Show
• 15:00–16:00 – National Carriage Driving League (Combined Event)
• 16:00–17:00 – Herdsman Championship
• 17:00–18:00 – Győr Devil Riders, Puszta Five Demonstration
• 18:30–19:30 – National Carriage Driving League (Relay Event)
• 19:30–20:15 – Costume and Fashion Show
• 20:15–20:45 – Stud Herd Drive
• 20:45–21:30 – Fire Horse Show

Children’s Horse Village
• 12:00–13:00 – Kuckó Artists’ Camp: The Diligent and the Lazy Girl
• 14:00–15:00 – Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble – Folk Dance Performance and Dance House
• 15:00–16:00 – Garagulya Stilt-Walking Comedy Company
• 16:00–17:00 – Dávid Fekete: Turkish Trouble Hero, or Vitéz László and the Turks

All-Day Activities
• Hajdú-Bihar County Folk Art Association – Traditional Craft Demonstrations
• Natúr Workshop – A Celebration of Fresh and Dried Plants
• Flying Folk Games
• Hair Braiding and Face Painting

Sunday, 7 June

Showjumping Arena
• 09:00–12:00 – 80–100 cm Showjumping Competitions
• 13:00–17:00 – 110–130 cm Showjumping Competitions

Main Arena
• 11:30–13:30 – National Carriage Driving League (Simultaneous Event)
• 13:30–14:00 – Shepherd Dog Demonstration
• 14:00–15:00 – Hortobágy Heritage Performance
• 15:00–16:00 – Herdsman Championship
• 16:00–17:15 – Győr Devil Riders, Puszta Five Demonstration
• 17:30–18:15 – Costume and Fashion Show
• 18:15–19:15 – Flat Race Herdsman Championship Award Ceremony
• 19:15–19:45 – Stud Herd Drive

Children’s Horse Village
• 11:00–12:00 – Chirping Theatre: The Hedgehog
• 12:00–13:00 – Kuttyomfitty Company: Háry, the Boastful Veteran
• 13:00–14:00 – Debrecen Folk Ensemble – Folk Dance Performance and Dance House
• 14:00–15:00 – Mancsi Fabók: The Székely Bride and the Devil
• 15:00–16:00 – Langaléta Garabonciások: Master Horagus’s Circus
• 16:00–17:00 – Szeredás Folk Music Ensemble: Children’s Wedding Celebration

All-Day Activities
• Merende Workshop – Pentecost Pretzel Making and the Merende Laundry Experience
• Ferkó Kádár’s Photo Theatre

Tickets are available in advance online.

Source: Főnix Rendezvényszervező | Photo credit: dehir.hu