Defense Minister Presents Horse to King Charles III
Hungary Gifts Lipizzaner Horses to British Royal Family
Hungary has made a special coronation gift to the British royal court following the formal crowning of King Charles III on May 6, 2023, at Westminster Abbey. Minister of Defense, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, shared details of the presentation on his Facebook page, along with pictures of the ceremony in London.
The gift consists of two Hungarian Lipizzaner horses that have been presented to the British Royal Court for King Charles III. The highly trained horses, aged 8 and 6, will be used in the Royal Family’s representational duties.
This gift is not only a gesture of goodwill but also serves to enhance the international reputation of Hungarian horse breeding. The selected horses from the State Stud Farm in Szilvásvárad, North-Eastern Hungary, have received international-level training under saddle and in harness, making them well-suited for representative court service.
Lipizzaner horse breeding in Hungary dates back to 1952 when the country’s Lipizzaner stock was settled in the state stud farm established in Szilvásvárad. The breed’s history goes back to the 1500s when the original Lipizzaner stud was established by Ferdinand I. Purebred for nearly 500 years, Lipizzaner horses are renowned for their excellence in dressage and riding.
Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky, an equestrian himself, has a strong connection to the Hungarian cavalry tradition. As the captain of the Military Equestrian Section of the Defense Forces’ Zrínyi Sports Club, he represents the Emperor’s Hussars and plays a vital role in preserving Hungary’s rich equestrian heritage.
This historic gesture marks the first time Hungary has gifted horses specifically to the British Royal Family, strengthening the cultural ties between the two nations.
