Hortob‡gy Bridge Fair and International Equestrian Festival

Hortob‡gy Bridge Fair and International Equestrian Festival

July

This annual event is a showcase of Hungary's fine horses and riders on the Hortobágy, part of the Great Plain of Hungary. The festival also celebrates the famous nine-arched bridge, built in 1833, that crosses the Hortobágy River and is the longest stone bridge in the country.
The Hortobágy National Park is 150 square kilometers in the grassy puszta ("prairie") of the Great Plain near the historic city of Debrecen. During the Turkish occupation that began in the 14th century the area was depopulated, and in the 18th century it was used for breeding horses, cattle, and sheep. The equestrian fair is held outside the city and features the famed Lipizzaner horses (from Austrian stock) in dressage exhibitions, the csikós (Hungarian cowboy) in colorful embroidered riding costume, carriage parades, pulling contests for draft horses, and other equestrian events. There are also crafts fairs and a peasant market.

CONTACTS:
Hungarian National Tourist Office
350 Fifth Ave., Ste. 7107
New York, NY 10118
212-695-1221; fax: 212-695-0809
www.gotohungary.com