Babolna Grand Prix International Show Jumping Competition, Babolna

The Bábolna Grand Prix International Show Jumping Competition looks back at decades of tradition. Held annually on the national festival of the 20th of August, this renowned competition has also hosted a carriage-driving contest since 2005. Other events include a folk art and craft fair.

The show jumping events test horses and their riders on six qualification levels. New events were also added to the international contest in 2005; an A-category carriage driving competition is held here providing a fantastic opportunity for carriage driving fans. Drivers of four in hand, the ever popular carriage-and-pair drivers, and skilful single harness drivers compete during the event.

Part of the competition is the six-obstacle marathon driving. Other events include spectacular shows of the five in hand riding, carriage driving, riding, 'musical chairs' with horses, pony driving and horseback archery. Regular guests of the event, the Visegrád Knights of St George perform a period tournament. Other annual performers are the Visegrád Voltige Group, the Cseperedők Folk Dance Ensemble and the Bábolna-Ács Brass Band. A bread blessing ceremony also belongs to the event, celebrating the baking of the first bread from the freshly harvested grain.

The competition is not only interesting for its spectacular tests of skill attended by international competitors, the Bábolna Stud Estate itself is of outstanding significance in Hungary. Stabled according to traditional methods several hundred years old, the Arab stud may be visited here at this historic centre of horse breeding.