This weekend marks the start of the 18th National Gallop’s preliminary events, with the opening race taking place on Saturday in Subotica, Serbia, followed by Sunday’s competition in Őcsény, Tolna County, Hungary. Amateur riders will compete for a chance to race in the grand finale held on 4–5 October in Szilvásvárad, Hungary.
According to the organizers, this year’s National Gallop features eleven qualifiers—seven in Hungary and four in neighbouring countries. The qualifying series begins at the Subotica racetrack. The festivities start at noon with an official opening ceremony, followed by the heats at 1pm. Additional attractions include a trotting race, a carriage-pushing competition, and the Parasztvágta, where riders race on horses of unknown pedigree not permitted under standard rules.
The final races begin at 5pm, with the main event—the final—starting at 6:30pm, followed by the awards ceremony. Visitors can also enjoy a cooking contest, a marketplace, and an evening concert by performers from the Budapest Operetta Theatre.
On Sunday the third Sárköz Gallop will be held at the Őcsény airfield. The all-day event includes leisure show jumping and skill competitions alongside the race heats. Activities begin at 8am with show jumping, while the heats start at 11am. The main Sárköz Gallop, featuring local riders, is set for 2pm, with the final taking place at 6pm.
The series continues on 14 June in Vácduka, followed by the Székely Gallop on 21–22 June and the Iván Gallop on 28 June. Later races include Transcarpathia (5 July), Szemenye (20 July), Borsod (2 August), Muravidék (16 August), Festetics (17 August), and Vasad (24 August) events.
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