The only raceday of the current season in Topoľčianky took place on Sunday, 14 June. Seven races and two divisions of the next round of the Slovak Pony League 2026 were run on the perfectly prepared track of the National Stud Farm. The main flat race was dominated from start to finish by Tornado, a Serbian‑bred horse trained in Slovakia, while the steeplechase was won by Iarak from Šurany.
On May 30, 2026, the National Stud Farm in Kladruby nad Labem hosted the 80th edition of the Grand Riding Day, featuring riders and horses from the National Stud Farm in Topoľčianky. The unforgettable atmosphere of this magnificent event was shaped by a rich program with numerous guest performers, beautiful weather, and exceptional visitor interest.
During the last weekend of May, the National Stud Farm hosted the first sporting event of this year – the show‑jumping competition May Prize of the National Stud Farm Topoľčianky. More than 100 horse‑and‑rider pairs from all over Slovakia came to compete, resulting in nearly 300 starts. The classes ranged from level ZM up to S – 130 cm. As part of the event, one of the qualifying rounds of the Young Horses Criteria, organized under the Slovak Horse Breeders Association, also took place. A large and enthusiastic audience contributed to the pleasant atmosphere throughout the entire event.
On June 2, 2026, the staff of the National Stud Farm prepared a rich Children’s Day program for pupils from the Primary School on Litoměřická Street in Topoľčianky. The program included a tour of the historic riding hall and a performance by the riders, who presented a quadrille with Lipizzaner stallions. The children also watched a carriage-driving duel and a show by members of the vaulting club.
Program:
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Arrival and stabling of horses
8:30 a.m. Passport check, measurement of horses
9:30 a.m. Pre‑selection Presentation of horses in walk and trot in hand, followed by free movement, and subsequent evaluation of the pre‑selection.
10:00 a.m. Horse Performance Tests
10:15 a.m Performance Tests: evaluation of type, conformation, and rideability (dressage)
11:15 a.m. Performance Tests: marathon, dressage test, and driving obstacle course
3.00 p.m. Evaluation and official record of the performance tests
This year’s Open Day, traditionally held on May 1st, once again welcomed a large number of horse enthusiasts. Pleasant spring weather combined with the prospect of a day full of experiences attracted nearly 15,000 visitors to Topoľčianky.
On March 28, 2026, the Breeding Seminar was once again held at the National Stud. By its focus, it is primarily dedicated to breeders, but all horse and equestrian sport enthusiasts can participate. This year, the meeting room of the National Stud was filled to the last chair. More than forty attendees supported the event with their presence.
28.03. Breeders' Seminar
03.-06.04. Easter at the National Stud
30.04. Dress Rehearsal for "Open Day"
01.05. "XXVI. EDITION OF THE TRADITIONAL OPEN DAY"
24.05. Race Day in Topoľčianky
30.-31.05. Show Jumping Competition for the National Stud Cup
22.-23.08. Dressage Competition for the National Stud Cup – Slovak Pony Riders Championship
29.-31.08. Farewell to Summer
29.08. Vaulting Competition – SVP, M ZSO
12.-13.09. Dressage Competition for the National Stud Cup – Senior and Young Horse Slovak Championship, Lipizzaner Cup Final
17.10. Hubert’s Ride
05.12. Christmas Concert at the National Stud Topoľčianky
06.12. St. Nicholas at the National Stud
The National Stud Farm's event calendar is once again packed with breeding, sporting, and social events.
In the early hours of January 15, 2026, we welcomed a foal of the Slovak Warmblood breed, sired by Quinnus II out of the mare Narnia, herself by Alexander der Grosse Z.
Even this year, the little ones did not miss the arrival of St. Nicholas at the National Stud Farm in Topoľčianky. As usual, this was preceded by a rich accompanying program. The biggest attraction for the audience, however, was the fairy-tale story that unfolded in the magical atmosphere of the approaching Christmas holidays directly in the historic riding hall of the stud farm, until the arrival of St. Nicholas and his helpers.
On December 7, 2025, the first Christmas concert was held in the historic riding hall of the National Stud Farm in Topoľčianky. Although it was a somewhat unusual event for an institution focused on horse breeding, it attracted a fairly high attendance and received positive feedback from the public.
On November 12, 2025, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, Daniel Zmeko, and Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army, Karel Řehka, visited the Topoľčianky National Stud Farm. The visit took place on the occasion of a working meeting, where they focused on current cooperation issues, exchange of knowledge, and assessment of the security situation.
During the visit to the National Stud Farm, the delegation was welcomed by Director Samuel Sokol. A short program was prepared for the guests, including a demonstration of the ceremonial quadrille and exercises above the ground according to the Classic Topoľčianky school. After touring the historic stables with five horse breeds, the guests took a ride through the castle park in carriages pulled by Lipizzaner stallions.
Text: NŽT
Foto: František Kabát ml.
Venue: National Stud Farm Topoľčianky
Center: Riding Hall
PROGRAM
7,00 AM – 8,00 AM Arrival of horses
8,30 AM Passport check, horse measurement
09.30 AM HORSE PERFORMANCE TESTS
10:15 AM Performance tests: evaluation of type, conformation, rideability (dressage)
11:15 AM Performance tests: marathon, dressage test, driving show jumping.
13:30 PM Evaluation and registration of performance test results.
Every year, the third Saturday of October is dedicated to the conclusion of the sporting and breeding season at the Topoľčianky National Stud Farm with a festive Hubertus Ride. This year's participants were accompanied by sunny weather with the romantic hues of autumn colors.
Also this year, the Union of Horse Breeders in Slovakia (ZCHKS), as a recognized breeding organization that maintains the Studbook of the Slovak Warmblood, conducted a higher form of testing for 4–6-year-old horses through the Young Horse Criteria (KMK) competitions.
On September 25, 2025, based on the Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Stud Farm and the Slovak University of Agriculture, which was signed on March 11, 2025, participants of the 33rd edition of the international symposium Animal Science Days (ASD 2025) visited the National Stud Farm.
On August 30, almost all vaulting clubs from Slovakia gathered again in the area of the National Stud. The reason was one of the last rounds of the nationwide national ranking, the Slovak Vaulting Cup 2025. For all vaulters, lunge riders, and their horses, it was an opportunity to improve their previous scores in their category. In total, almost 40 individuals, 4 pairs, and 3 groups participated. The performances were truly fantastic; there was so much to watch.... SVP Among the individuals, six age categories were evaluated. Among the younger boys, Oliver Forró from JK Rusty Šaľa performed best on the horse KCM Vaultinghorses Lord. In the younger girls category, the best result out of 15 competitors was achieved by Dorota Kazárová from JK Farao Trnovec nad Váhom on the horse Pluto X-25 SK /Ejfél. Adam Orolin competed alone in the older boys category, so he became the clear winner. Fourteen participants fought for first place in the older girls category. The winner was Agáta Necelová from Voltiland Košice on the horse Teamo. Among the juniors, the best performance was by Mia Magdaléna Spiszáková from JK Rusty Šaľa on the horse KCM Vaultinghorses Lord. In the young riders women category, Ema Dudonová from JK Farao Trnovec nad Váhom on the horse Constantin competed as the only participant.
The largest agricultural fair in Slovakia, AGROKOMPLEX, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. During the exhibition, from September 3 to 7, 2025, the Topoľčianky National Stud enriched the accompanying program of the exhibition with its performances.
