Gabor Nicholas Folteny - Hungarian Showjumper

Gabor Nicholas Foltenyi, born in Zalazentlaszlo, Hungary on November 26th, 1922, was a renowned showjumper and horseman. At the tender age of 10, he received his first horse, which marked the beginning of his lifelong passion for horses and riding. In 1948, Gabor Nicholas Foltenyi, who was a potential member of the Hungarian National Equestrian Team, had to leave Hungary due to political reasons. After spending two years in Munich, Germany, he eventually made his way to the United States.

Upon arriving in the U.S.A, Gabor started working on the racetrack with Rex Elsworth. Subsequently, he rode with Mrs. E. Bailey`s `Pabst Blue Ribbon` Stables in Purchase, NY, where he achieved his first victory in the U.S. on Master Pabst at Devon.

Gabor Nicholas Folteny - Hungarian Showjumper

Gabor Nicholas Foltenyi then spent two years at Merkel`s WHY Stables in Brookville, New York. It was during this time that he gained attention for his Hungarian training methods, which emphasized starting with dressage and allowing the horse to develop his muscles and control before jumping. According to Gabor, gaining a horse`s confidence and ensuring they enjoy the sport while being under gentle but complete control was key to getting the best performance.

In 1953, Gabor Nicholas Foltenyi reunited with his dear friend Bertalan de Nemethy, and together they trained and rode horses for Eleonora Sears. Their success led Gabor to create Oakland Hills Farm in Michigan in 1955. He went on to win numerous classes and championships at various horse shows, including the prestigious National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. Some of the horses he trained and rode, such as Reno, Sidonia, Lola, Diamant, and Kieves Confederate, went on to compete for the USET (United States Equestrian Team). In 1976, Gabor coached the Japanese Team at the Montreal Olympic Games.

Gabor Nicholas Foltenyi was highly respected and admired by notable riders in America`s equestrian world. George Morris, an accomplished rider himself, considered Gabor the most outstanding horseman he had ever seen. Gabor`s unique riding style and athletic ability made a lasting impression on the equestrian community.

In recognition of his contributions to the equestrian world, Gabor Nicholas Foltenyi was awarded the Count Istvan Szecheny Commemorative Medal in 2010 by the Hungarian Horseman`s Sport Association. This distinguished honour is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the professional culture of riding in international sports, social organizations, and universal sport organizations.