Local fans’ delight Hungarian Count István Széchenyi Memorial Competition kicked off with Hungarian victories once again.
The first day started with the young horses contest on a course designed by László Karádi. Nearly half of the field, consisting of 34 horse and rider pairs, completed the 11-fence course without any faults. Only slight differences decided the podium places among the riders with no penalty points, as they all crossed the finish line within a single second of each other. The victory went to Gábor Szabó, Jnr. on Carabella Z, owned by dr. Zsuzsanna Pusztai.
László Tóth and Pearl Jam G took second place, Attila Técsy, who also competed in the 2025 FEI WBFSH Young Horse World Championships, finished third on Caratacus V.
Riders were congratulated by Alexandra Kunné Fekete, member of the jury, and by Dorottya Stróbl, the competition director.
The outstanding performance of the Hungarian riders continued in the 1.30 m, U25 competition with local pairs securing all the three medals. In a field of 31 contenders, the victory went to Tamás Dömse, winner of the 2025 KGM Masters Tournament, on Panthera-C.
Emma H. Nagy, coached by Attila Lóránt, finished second on Elasko Hero, while István Hubai and K2 took third place.
Twelve obstacles and 14 efforts awaited the next field of 44 rider and horse duos in the 1.35 m Medium Tour. Barna Burucs captured gold completing the fastest clear round in the saddle of Chasa Lady SZ.
Gábor Szabó, Jnr. secured another valuable placing, this time on Bizar VDL.
Third place went to Henri Kovács and Quintano.
The riders were congratulated by Melinda Schlezák and Dorottya Stróbl.
Photo: CSIO Budapest / Petronella Kovács