Hungarian Warmbloods?

[Blkarab]

I am going to a farm this weekend that breeds Hungarian Warmbloods and was wondering if anyone has had experience with this breed, espeically for Dressage.

I’m specifically interested in size and temperment, as I want something that’s not as high-strung as my arab, and needs to be above 16hh for my husband.

Thanks for the input—this is not a “want-ad”. I’m genuinely interested in breed specifics.

Thanks!

[Kimberlee]

http://summervalefarm.com/wistar_info.htm

Summervale Farm breeds Hungarian Warmbloods and has some info on their site.

[Blkarab]

Thanks Kimberlee—

I took a quick peek at their website, and will read it in depth a little later.

I guess I’m interested in “real” experience with the breed. I’m not necessarily looking for what is being shown in the ring, rather, what has the experience at home been. Is it a breed that is rather “willing” and “quiet” or is it going to be more high-strung like a thoroughbred? I’m a more nervous type rider, and would like something very steady as I’m moving up in my training and need something quiet for my non-horsey husband, too.

I’ll have a better insight when I actually see the horses this weekend. I value the COTH experience and I just don’t want to invest in a horse breed that will turn out to be too much horse for me later on.

Thanks for the input! Very helpful so far!

[eqsiu]

Where are you going? I hazard to guess Egon Kamarasy?

Anyway, they are much like any other warmblood. Different lines do different things, but they are usually mellow horses with a bit of substance. The hungarian horses often have a large amount of Shagya blood.

[Blkarab]

No, not Egon Kamarasy. It’s a farm in Kansas, and surprisingly enough in my hometown!

I am just very unfamiliar with the breed, and needed some info to make an informed decision about what direction I want to go, before looking. I would like to be educated ahead of the visit, just in case I see something I really like and get emotionally attached.

The Shagya blood is not necessarily a bad thing. I do love my little arabs personality and temperament, but will need something bigger as I improve and move up.

[Salty]

Hi–I can tell you about my experience, but the horses you’ll be looking at might be very different.
My gelding came from the herd of Countess Gjerke (sp?) in VA, but was by a TB son of Sir Tompson, who was a flashy conformation hunter sire. His dam came from Hungary, and was big-boned & low to the ground. I bought my horse for dressage, but he was such a phenomonal jumper that we concentrated on that. Once he got older & stronger his dressage was much better & we had a lot of fun with it, although it’s not my strong suit, to say the least! He was sensitive & opinionated. As one BNT said in a clinic, he was like a violin–when you did things badly, it was horrible, but when you did it right it was phenomonal. He wasn’t a big horse, but he moved like one. But like I said, he probably had more TB than the ones you’re going to go see.
Let us know what you find, & good luck!

[Janet]

Twenty some years ago I was trying to buy one of Countess Gyurky’s mares. Unfortunately, my vet recommended against her- for some pretty subtle things. In addition to her own stock, she had some of the “Kansas Hungarians”, and they were quite nice too.

All seemed to have good, laid back, temperaments.

[Calhoun]

I have a Hungarian mare and hope I don’t jinx myself . . . she is the nicest horse I have ever owned. Wonderful temperament, learns quickly, very willing, good work ethic and brave. She is on the small side, 15.2H, but I am a small petite woman. I look forward to riding her everyday! You can PM if you need more information.

[SBT]

Five have come through my barn, and temperaments varied: two were on the hot side with a more “modern,” lighter build, and the other three were VERY laid back…and VERY substantial, easy keepers. They could have been mistaken for fancy-looking draft crosses, were it not for the prominent brands on the neck and back. All three were nice amateur-type horses.

[WW_Queen]

I used to ride one about 10 years ago. His owner was an amateur and he was in the barn for converting from a driving horse to an eventer. He was big, but definitely not heavy-boned. I found him to be fairly willing and even tempered, but when he decided he wasn’t going to do something, it was a heck of a fight!

Overall he was a wonderful horse but not the best for a beginner. (Not sure what his lineage was though.)

[Blkarab]

Thanks everyone for all of the feedback! Truly helpful.

I spoke with the breeder this evening, and will be seeing the two geldings that she has available this weekend. She was frank about the dispositions, one more excitable, one more laid-back. Both are also over 16hh, which is a big plus, and look very athletic, with nice movement (from the video). It sounds like the consensus is that they are willing, easy going horses for the most part, just what I’m looking for.

Thanks for the input—please keep it coming. I won’t see the boys until Sunday.

[Blkarab]

Thanks Calhoun—

[eqsiu]

I am glad to hear you’re not looking at one of Egon’s horses. They are actually quite nice, but they tend to get very inconsistent or incorrect training. Makes for an interesting first few months.

[Sakura]

OMG… Drool!

[Browndog]

[QUOTE=Salty;3065393]
He was sensitive & opinionated. As one BNT said in a clinic, he was like a violin–when you did things badly, it was horrible, but when you did it right it was phenomonal.[/QUOTE]

I have owned a Hungarian Sportlo (full Hungarian H mare, European Warmblood sire) for about 4 years and have had the same experience as Salty. He was sired by Guigan de Lully, SWB, who is known for volatile offspring (as soon as they hear the sire, BNT’s ask me how many times I’ve been bucked off - answer - several!).

The following website gives lots of info and explains the difference in registries.

http://www.hungarianhorses.org/

Mine is talented and definitely not a beginner horse but this is only my experience (and he had a bad start, hard to know how much that influenced his future behaviour) - I have not met one other Hungarian horse to compare him to. He is 16 hands and quite compact with lovely movement and a beautiful head. I compete dressage.

Good luck - I look forward to hearing how it went!

[Little_Valkyrie]

I have a Hungarian mare out of H. Lena and a granddaughter of H. Gyemant (sp?). She is about 15.3hh and a lovely girl. Unlike most warmbloods, she is relatively fine (but with good bone) and very quick. She is just as atheletic as the TB’s and very sane. I really cannot say enough good things about the breed, as they seem very strong in Dressage and jumping alike and have fantastic temperments. A very good breed choice!

[Sacha]

I have two Hungarian warmbloods, a 2yo filly who is a little shy with people but very trainable and an 8 yo mare who is very spunky and forward going but a really sweet person to do

[camohn]

I had one/sold her. Dressage was not her strong point (why she was sold…not the best mover…upright and stiff/short in the shoulder) but she had a fab personality and was a super jumper…she was sold on to a jumper home where she was better suited. Her dam had been a GP jumper imported from Europe.

[c_expresso]

[QUOTE=Salty;3065393]
Hi–I can tell you about my experience, but the horses you’ll be looking at might be very different.
My gelding came from the herd of Countess Gjerke (sp?) in VA, but was by a TB son of Sir Tompson, who was a flashy conformation hunter sire. His dam came from Hungary, and was big-boned & low to the ground. I bought my horse for dressage, but he was such a phenomonal jumper that we concentrated on that. Once he got older & stronger his dressage was much better & we had a lot of fun with it, although it’s not my strong suit, to say the least! He was sensitive & opinionated. As one BNT said in a clinic, he was like a violin–when you did things badly, it was horrible, but when you did it right it was phenomonal. He wasn’t a big horse, but he moved like one. But like I said, he probably had more TB than the ones you’re going to go see.
Let us know what you find, & good luck![/QUOTE]

My first horse was sired by one of “the Countess’” stallions in VA… she was only 3/4 hungarian though. She was very opinionated, and spooky, but good at dressage.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Blossom37101/472299913ZgZxiT_ph.jpg

[Browndog]

Well, Blkarab, do tell! How did you find them? I am very curious because, as I said, I have not met another Hungarian out here…

Report please