Zsófia Illyés

Dear Visitors, Equestrian Enthusiasts and Partners,

It is both an honour and a great responsibility for me to welcome you as the Director of the Szilvásvárad State Stud Farm.

Szilvásvárad and Lipizzan horse breeding hold a special place in Hungary's equestrian culture. The breeding traditions preserved here, the wealth of professional knowledge accumulated over generations, and the achievements of our predecessors represent a heritage that we share a responsibility to preserve and pass on to future generations.

My commitment to horses and equestrian culture dates back long before my appointment to this leadership position. It is particularly meaningful to me that I can combine this personal passion with the management experience I have gained in the private sector, putting both at the service of an institution whose significance extends far beyond its day-to-day operations.

I accepted the responsibility of leading the Stud Farm with the firm belief that respect for tradition and the pursuit of modern, efficient operations are not conflicting priorities, but values that reinforce one another.

I firmly believe that the foundation of an institution's long-term success lies in working together towards clear goals, mutual respect, and individual accountability.

Among our key priorities are preserving and further developing the breeding qualities of the Lipizzan and Gidran horse breeds, ensuring the welfare of our horses, and strengthening the Stud Farm's professional, cultural and tourism-related activities.

It is important to me that Szilvásvárad continues to play a leading role in the Hungarian and international equestrian community, operating as an institution that takes pride in its past, manages its resources responsibly in the present, and consciously builds its future.

I believe in dialogue, cooperation, and the conviction that meaningful achievements are the result of working together.

Zsófia Illyés
Director
Szilvásvárad State Stud Farm