Hubert's ride at the National Stud Farm Topoľčianky

Every year, the National Stud Farm and the Slovak Equestrian Federation end the sports and breeding season with a festive Hubert's Ride. This year's participants were accompanied by truly beautiful sunny weather with pleasant temperatures and a romantic palette of autumn colors.

Hubert's Ride is one of the traditions of the National Stud Farm. Every third Saturday in October, many personalities from equestrian and cultural life gather in Topoľčianky. The hosts are the director of the National Stud Farm Ing. Samuel Sokol and the chairman of the Slovak Equestrian Federation Ing. Vladimír Chovan. Among the guests of honor who accepted the invitation this year were the general director of the agriculture section of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic Ing. Jana Vargová, PhD., the director of the personnel office of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic JUDr. Eva Schwarzová, the director of the livestock production department of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic Ing. Peter Juhász and the chairman of the supervisory board of the National Stud Farm “Topoľčianky”š.p. Ing. Emil Košút.

At the ceremonial opening of the St. Hubert ride in front of the Topoľčianky Castle, 9 coaches and 22 riders from various riding clubs took part. After the ceremonial opening, with a short speech by the director of the National Stud Farm, Ing. Samuel Sokol, to the guests, participants and spectators, the general director of the agriculture section of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic, Ing. Jana Vargová, PhD, also spoke. All those present were familiarized with the regulations of the St. Hubert ride by the master of the hunt, Peter Vančo. Afterwards, the group set off towards the ruins of Hrušov Castle, passing the breeding facilities of the National Stud Farm with herds of horses. Refreshments were prepared for all participants under the castle. After regaining their strength, the group set off back to the Topoľčianky.

During the journey, the riders overcame natural obstacles while constantly chasing the symbolic "fox" to the meadow in front of the Topolčianky Castle. The riders searched for the fox's tail in the bushes, under the stumps, in the grass and on the branches. The fox was finally found quite quickly. The local winner of the Hubert ride, Laura Balážová, was congratulated by the director of the Topoľčianky National Stud Farm, Ing. Samuel Sokol, and all those present rewarded her with applause of appreciation.

FOTO: František Kabát, ml.