Vojvodina Rider Claims Victory at 18th National Gallop

Anna Júlia Rozs of Magyarkanizsa (Vojvodina, Serbia), riding her horse Vajk, claimed victory in the final of the 18th National Gallop (Nemzeti Vágta), held this weekend at the Szilvásvárad Lipizzaner Equestrian Center. Representing the Vojvodina region of Serbia, Rozs not only earned the title of Hungary’s fastest rider of 2025 but also received the event’s traveling trophy — a ceremonial 1848 hussar sabre — along with a Herend porcelain Hadik Hussar statuette. Minister of Agriculture István Nagy presented the laurel wreath to the winner during the official awards ceremony.

In a tightly contested final, second place went to Loretta Rigó of Tahitótfalu (near Budapest), while Laura Csiki of Szentkirály (central Hungary) took third, and Péter Takács from Ács (northern Hungary) finished fourth.

The multi-day equestrian festival featured a wide range of events, celebrating both traditional Hungarian horsemanship and international competition. Among the highlights:

The Kocsitoló (Carriage Pushers) Race was won by the Hungarian Riot Police team, followed by the Kraszna-Táltos team from Transylvania and the squad.
In the Huszárgyerek (Young Hussar) Gallop, Hanna Holczer took first place on her horse, Young Pie, ahead of riders from Szilvásvárad, Törökszentmiklós, and Mátyásföld.
The International Race, featuring riders from five countries, was won by the United Kingdom’s Stephen Heeley aboard Maximus, ahead of competitors from Slovakia and Hungary.
In the Carriage Gallop (Fogatvágta), the Köncsögi Stud team led by driver Gábor Nagy triumphed. The Mátai Stud of Hortobágy came in second, with Mezőhegyes Stud taking third.

This year also introduced a new event: the Traditional Hussar Competition, where Botond Félegyházi claimed first place, ahead of Buda Bihari and Sándor Major. Meanwhile, in the Little Hussar Race (Kishuszár Vágta), Vasad’s Judit Rakottyai won aboard BT Newtown Road.

On Friday, the venue also hosted the International Mounted Police Competition, a blend of speed and skill challenges. Out of 26 competitors from eight nations, Slovakia’s Marian Zgola emerged as the top rider.

Kristóf Szotyori Nagy, race director of the National Gallop, reflected on the three-day event’s enduring mission: “From its founding to its 18th edition — marking its coming of age — the National Gallop has remained committed to reviving and modernizing Hungary’s equestrian traditions.”

He emphasized the event’s focus on animal welfare, and praised the continued dedication of organizers, riders, and spectators to preserving Hungary’s centuries-old image as a “nation of horsemen.”

Photo: MTI/Czeglédi Zsolt

This year’s innovation was the launch of the hussar-themed competition, while growing interest in children’s events was described as both the “engine” and “future guarantee” of the National Gallop.

The festivities concluded with a symbolic herd drive across the grounds. This year’s “historical face” of the event was Pál Ráday, an 18-year-old hussar who became one of the boldest commanders of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848–49 — a tribute to both youth and courage woven into Hungarian history.

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