National Stud Farm Topoľčianky
Slovakia
Horse breeding in Topol’čianky was founded by Count Karel Keglevi. His work was continued by the Habsburgs. In the First Czechoslovak Republic, the Ministry of Agriculture founded the Topol’čianky State Stud Farm on October 15, 1921 on the property of Archduke Jozeph August of Habsburg. The task of this stud farm was to supply the state with Arabian, Lipizzaner, Nonius and warmblood horses, English thoroughbreds and Hutsuls.
From the former Habsburg estate in Topolcianky, the state stud took over the historic riding hall, old stables, meadows and pastures. The reconstruction of the farm buildings and the construction of new stables began in 1924 – 1928. This is how the breeding centers Hostianske, Košiar, Rybník, Breziny, Krásnymajer and the economic center Žikava were established. All these facilities are located 220 to 480 meters above sea level. They have very favorable climatic conditions as they are protected on three sides by the mountains and open up to the Danube plain to the south.
National Stud Farm Topoľčianky
Parková 13
951 93 Topoľčianky
Slowakei
Website: www.nztopolcianky.sk/de
Email: hornymichal@nztopolcianky.sk, sekretariat@nztopolcianky.sk, sport@nztopolcianky.sk
The main task of the Topol’čianky National Stud Farm is to preserve the old cultural horse breeds Lipizzaner, Hutsul and Arabian in their original type through strict line breeding with a focus on preserving the gene pool.With the “Slovakian Warmblood” breed, the stud farm is also dedicated to sport horse breeding.Some of the 40 warmblood broodmares are used to improve performance; stallions of the English thoroughbred and half-blood breeds, Trakehner, Hanoverian, Oldenburg and Arabian stallions are used for this purpose.
In addition to horse breeding, the stud farm has also become famous for organizing and hosting tournaments and horse races (trotting, galloping and steeplechase races). In 1981, a professional 1450-metre race track was built, on which races are held several times a year with the participation of foreign riders and drivers.
As early as 1926, the stud began taking part in competitions in show jumping, dressage, vaulting and driving. In the following years, the sporting performance at tournaments continued to develop until it reached championship level. Employees of the stud farm have participated in international competitions and championships as representatives of the Slovak Republic.
In addition to its main activity of horse breeding, the National Stud Farm also produces crops and livestock.Cereals and fodder are grown on around 1000 hectares of agricultural land.The many sunny days a year favor the ripening of sweet grapes. The national stud farm currently cultivates around 21 hectares of vineyards in various locations. Livestock production is concentrated on the black and white breed.
The change in society in 1989 did not stop at horse breeding. Of the various stud farms in Slovakia, Topol’čianky is the only one to remain under state administration. The stud farm breeds four purebred horse breeds simultaneously and has assumed responsibility for securing and maintaining the genetic reserve of Lipizzaners, Hutsuls and Arabians.