Heroes’ Square, Budapest, Hungary
May 31st – June 1st, 2008.
WHAT IS NATIONAL GALLOP?
• The Gallop is a celebration of Hungarian communities and traditions
• The main purpose of this event is to revive the national tradition of horse riding, to enrich it with new meaning and to create a monumental cultural festival
• The Gallop is a horse race that has a sense of history, building on Hungarian traditions, thus becoming a national cultural event that not only preserves traditions but at the same time creates new ones
• On the other hand our competition call for entries offers great opportunities for all entrants
• By selecting the right horse and rider every private person, municipality or organization stands a chance of winning the grand prize of HUF 30 million
REVIVING HUNGARIAN HUSSAR TRADITIONS
In Hungary there are thousands of citizens, who keep the world-famous Hussar traditions alive, which is in fact part of the country’s history since the Hungarian Renaissance of the 16th century. Hussar tradition, thus, is a real “hungaricum”, that Hungary gave the world with great pride. National Gallop organizers believe, that this is a slice of Hungary well-worth to show the world, and it is time to re-think Hungarian traditions in a way that the rest of world would be keen to understand, get to know, and be part of this experience.
MR PETER GESZTI, DREAMER, INITIATOR AND ORGANISER OF THE NATIONAL GALLOP
Peter Geszti is one of the best known public figures of Hungary, creative director of the biggest Hungary Advertising Agency, songwriter and rap singer, former television showman and radio DJ, producer of musicals, a devoted public activist and a major player if the work of shaping Hungary’s new country image. His dream with National Gallop is to unite Hungarian towns and villages in a grand festival and give a new meaning and a grandiose representational form to Hungarian traditions in a way that is noticeable in the world. He means to put Hungary back on the cultural, touristical map of Europe, creating opportunities for foreigners and Hungarians alike to celebrate our unique country.
LOCATION AND DATE
• The Gallop will take place at Heroes’ Square, Budapest on May 31st – June 1st, 2008.
• This square with its symbols of Hungarian statehood creates a wonderful visual environment. This square is home to the horse statue of the ‘Seven Chiefs’, the angel monument prophesied by King St. Stephen and also groups of our historic kings and heroes
• Keeping its unified visual image the square will be decorated with historical flags, ornamental elements, tribunes to suit the architectural context of the millennium city space
• Active projection screens and sound systems will enable for the spectators to enjoy the races from every angle of the square
• The date of the National Gallop: May 31 - June 1 of 2008
National Gallop will be held one week after the Memorial Day of Hungarian Heroes. Each year we dedicate this race to another historical hero.
The first race commemorates King Matthias Corvinus in the spirit of the Renaissance Year.
WHO CAN ENTER THE COMPETITION?
• private persons
• business ventures
• local governments
• any Hungarian community
• tradition-preserving societies
• horse clubs
Each entrant is allowed to enter one Hungarian settlement and each settlement can only be represented by one rider.
THE RACE
• Length of the racecourse: 2 and a half rounds incl. the home straight, approximately 1200 metres (appr. 6 furlongs)
• Ground: sand filled with special granules
• Pace: gallop
• 6 horses can race at a time
THE RIDERS
• Any Hungarian citizen aged 18 and older can enter, male or female without weight limitations.
Rider must prove his or her link to the town or region he or she represents prior to the race.
THE HORSES
• Each rider can participate in the race with a horse of any breed or gender born 2004 or earlier.
One rider can only enter with one horse.
NUMBER OF ENTRANTS
• The first 96 entrants will automatically be in the main round, entrants No.97 and over must participate in qualifying rounds on first day of the race. Total number of entrants is 128. Organizer accepts first 224 entries only. For all other details, please, go to: www.vagta.hu
| FEES OF THE GALLOP |
| • entry fee | HUF 2 million |
| • prize of the entrant of 16 riders reaching the semifinal | HUF 1 million /each/ |
| • prize of the entrant of 8 riders reaching the finals | HUF 1 million /each/ |
| • prize of winner’s entrant | HUF 28 million |
| • total prize of winner’s entrant | HUF 30 million |
| • total prize of the race | HUF 52 million |
| • in case winner’s entrant is a local government or winner was sponsored by one, it will get an additional | HUF 5 million |
PUBLICITY
• 30 000 people can watch the race from the tribunes and from the arena at one time
• The event is expected to attract around 300 000 visitors during the weekend
• This event will attract masses of people. The competitor’s fans and supporters will appear at the event, both from Budapest and other cities, not to mention a great number of tourists who like to visit the city at this time of the year
• intense awareness building media campaign (ATL,BTL) that will be followed by continuous updates
• By establishing a circle of comprehensive media sponsors we broaden media channels, through which the whole nation will be informed about this great event
• The race will be broadcast live by RTL Klub television and they will also have continuous footage of the preparation stages
• It is organizers’ intention that participants and entrants will be mentioned in all reports, publications related to National Gallop, thus assuring publicity for them
ATTRACTIONS
• Between rounds Hungarian history of war and horseriding will be revived by a spectacular show. Processions, historical parades will enhance the event.
• Heroes’ Square and its vicinity will not only host a horseriding event, but also exhibitions and a fair, where all entrants (local governments, organizations, business ventures) will have a chance to introduce themselves. At the same time visitors can learn of the spectacular world of our national horse riding culture and preservation of our traditions.
• National Gallop will create a new festival in Budapest making it with the addition of all participants and exhibitors from around the country, a prestigious competition and festivity. This new trademark will enforce Hungary’s reputation abroad.
GALLOP PROMENADE
• On Andrássy Street, between Bajza street and Heroes’ Square Hungarian gastronomy and authentic folk culture will be showcased
• Walking through the Gallop Promenade visitors will be able to satisfy all their needs and get acquainted with the settlements and entering companies and their products or local values
• In the National Gallop’s tents we can get a glimpse of our horse riding culture, so by the time we get to the Gallop arena, we will surely be in ‘Gallop’ mood
• By walking through the Promenade spectators can already follow the race and the other programs through projection screens
EXCLUSIVE PARTY
• On Saturday, May 31st an exclusive Gallop opening party will be held for the entrants, local government leaders, sponsors, partners, riders.
