Driving clinic in Topoľčianky

On April 5-7, 2024, a driving training session organized by the SJF Driving Committee in cooperation with the National Stud was held on the premises of the Topoľčianky National Stud.

The event was open to all drivers in Slovakia, in the single and pair categories. The trainer was an experienced coach and driver Mr. Ladislav Jirgala from the Czech Republic. The date of the clinic was planned to finalize the last details before the start of the sports season.

Due to the availability of the marathon track, which is built on the racetrack in Topoľčianky, the focus was on training horses in marathon obstacles. Many riders participated with young horses that do not yet have much experience and therefore work on agility, flexibility and overall obedience in the obstacle is an important part of the training.

On Friday, after the arrival of the participants, only a light familiarization of the horses with the new environment took place. On Saturday and Sunday morning, intensive trainings took place according to division, with Mr. Jirgala's individual approach to each rider.

Three riders from the National Stud took part, experienced Miroslav Matúška and Jozef Mašir, and newcomer Pavol Kemencei. They drove Lipizzaner stallions and mares from the National Stud Farm. Miroslav Matúška and Jozef Mašir are already well-known names at the international level of driving sport, Pavol Kemencei is currently competing at the national level. This year, we will also see Marcela Viochnová at the competitions, who drives a horse owned by the National Stud in the category of single with the aim of completing competitions for young horses and qualifying for this year's World Championships of young horses.

We believe that the event contributed to the better preparation of riders and horses for the upcoming sports season and also to the overall increase in the level of driving sport in Slovakia.