The Nonius Breed
I asked Egon Kamarasy to send me information on the Nonius breed of horses. This is his response. Thank you, Egon.
Nonius Senior the founder of the breed was born in Calvados, Normandy, France and captured by the Austrian army was taken to Mezohegyes, Hungary’s largest stud farm. He was 3/8 thoroughbred and 5/8 Norman, well muscled, had a big head and was no beauty.
Hortobagy Edit (Nonius D 5 –
7034 Hortobagy Vallomas) |
He was used on various mares, produced 200 foals. The most successful progeny came from Spanish and Neapolitan pairings, and all living Nonius’ are descendents of N 9 who had a Spanish mother. Of the other six chief stallions he produced four had Siglavy ox mothers, and in the next generation of chief stallions two had Arab mothers.
In 1840 inbreeding has started which allowed the development of a uniform type, since 1865 thoroughbreds were used to correct the consequences of inbreeding.
Today we have A B C D lines and mares from one line are bred to stallions of another line. The mares are around 16 hands. The horses at the Hortobagy steppe near Debrecen are smaller than those bred around Mezohagyes and Mako.
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 I consider the Nonius a horse of universal use. It is an excellent farm or artillery draft horse, a horse, which gave me great rides during World War II in Byelorussia and the Ukraine. It was successful in long distance driving in competitions over 250 miles (in three days) and in Hungary Nonius stallions were used with other stallions at the foxhunts in the fall.
Source: Ernst et al. Magyar Lovaskonyv, Budapest 1988
Announcement
Frontier Genetics International Katy Jones (308-367-5690) or joneskety@hotmail.com and Egon Kamarasy wish to announce that HS Gellert (Schonfeld x Hungarian Barsony by Hungarian Hadur out of Hungarian Siska Leanya) is now standing at Curtis, Nebraska.
 HS Szent Gellert is 9 years old, stands 15.3 hh. Egon says the majority of his foals have matured to over 16hh. He passes along his sweet disposition. Schonfeld, Trakehner was AHSA Hunter Sire of the Year and sire of numerous champion hunters. He stands 16.3 hh.
Hungarian Barsony, was purchased from the Bessenyey Estate. Her sire Hungarian Hadur was here for several years and sired horses, which were successful in driving, dressage, and 3-day eventing. Among his foals was H. Nicolaus shown successfully at International level Eventing by Jo Struby, Ron Palmer’s four-in hand team, Pat Vogel’s stallion Hungarian Pajkos, Jennifer Thompson’s Hungarian Remel with whom she competed at least twice in National Pony Club Shows. Hadur’s movement, when encouraged in the arena, could be breathtaking. Hungarian Siska Leanya (Hungarian Kallo x Magyar Siska) came here from the Bessenyey Estate. She was a very feminine and sweet mare. Her only foal here was Hungarian Sarga, sire of our last crop of foals. Steve especially likes Hungarian Kallo by Honpolgar 4 out of a thoroughbred type mare from Hungary. Magyar Siska was by Judith Gyurky’s Sobricka and out of Magyar Itala, born in Hungary in 1939. H. Barsony is a good combination of Gyurky and Bessenyey bloodlines.
Frontier Genetics is a full service reproductive facility eager to meet the need of the individual mare and owner.
This makes another source of semen available for the breeder, which should work well with today’s Felver mares.
Letter from Andrea Janaszik of Hungary
I know that people of other languages can hardly understand what “felver” means. This is nothing more than the translation of the German “Halliblut” (Half-bred, half-blood?) that comes from the “Vollblut” (Thoroughbred). “Felver” is a group of horse breeds crossbred with Thoroughbred. My good news about it is that the Hungarian name of our breed and that of our Association have changed this spring. From now on they are simply “Kisberi horse” and Kisberi and Gidran Association”. It is “Kisberi” and “Kisber”) because “Kisber” in Hungarian is only the name of the village, while “Kisberi” means “----- of Kisber”. The official name of the breed is “Kisberi”.
You mentioned the Nonius stallion that a breeder wanted to use for breeding inside the HHAA. It is a completely different problem. Nonius is not a “felver” breed, almost no Thoroughbreds were used during its breeding.
I am glad to see that some of the Hungarian horses are competing that well in the United States. Charlene is a genius in managing her horses, her success will surely do good to all the other Hungarians, too. Also, I am sure that if her mare Marado would be bred to a donkey, the foal would be a winner, too. I wish we had a few mares like her! If I had that much money, I would buy at least 20 embryos from her, I think Hungarian “felver” horses, especially the Kisberi, are good in themselves, but even better if crossed with the Western breed (Holsteiner, Hannoverian, Oldenburg, etc.). Yet if we want to do good crosses, we must maintain the original breeds. Everyone can understand it when we speak about pigs, but as soon as it is about horses, people forget about genetics.
I have seen quite a few pictures of Val Sivertson’s Aldas-colt HS. Randevu. He is a very nice young horse, too. Hope he will be a successful performance horse.
(Update: Before Joe Kasza’s Nonius stallion was fitted into our breeding program, he died suddenly last winter.) As I began trying to formulate how he could be fitted into the Sportlo Book, I was convinced that the recommendation of Katherine Nelson (on the Breeder’s Board) that we needed to start an entirely different book for the Nonius was correct. They served an important purpose – they were bred heavier so they could do field work or serve as riding horses. One day Egon Kamarasy told us “the Nonius have a very special place in my heart. In the army they transported us and our heavy guns, often saving our lives.” Laszlo Monostory also was a fan of the Nonius for their purpose.
Before World War II the USDA Forest Service had a herd of Nonius horses to produce the kind of horses they needed in the forestry service. They were stationed north of Missoula, Montana. By the time we heard of them, they had been sold and we found no traces of them. Both Katherine and Steve have stressed they are an important breed and deserve recognition as such. When I talked to him, Joe was planning to go back to Hungary this summer. We shall see what happens.
Hungarian Marado #409 (Magyar Brado #34 x Hungarian Soska #301) born in 1975. She was bred by Margit Bessenyey and purchased by Charlene Summers. Ridden by LaDonna Summers, Charlene’s daughter.
Photo by Lynne Wurzer. |
CHARLENE SUMMERS AND HUNGARIAN MARADO
THAT PERFECT COMBINATION OF BREEDER AND BROODMARE.
Val Sivertson, Charlene’s friend had worked with Linda Tellington at Margit Bessenyey’s West Winds Farm in California and became a fan of Hungarian horses. She had collected some broodmares in Washington. Charlene liked them so went to Montana to see Margit and her horses at the Bitterroot Stock Farm. Charlene told me that as they looked over the fence at the horses, Marado came over to talk to her. Instant bonding does occur with Hungarian horses!
Charlene bought expensive semen from top European performance horses. Marado added her beauty, intelligence, work ethic and bloodlines successfully to each.
The trio of local breeders formed a support group for showing and performance. Promotion is an important part of the process.
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There followed a succession of young stallions that made names for themselves (hopefully someone will study her offspring and their achievements). Wishes and Dreams is a registered Oldenburg. He had no Hungarian bloodlines but was Charlene’s breeding. He became a very successful performance horse and sire. His cross with H. Marado, HS Wistar, is perhaps the best of all. Several of Marado’s offspring have disappeared into the Warmblood registry of their sires.
WE CONGRATULATE CHARLENE ON HER SUCCESS! AND ALSO HER CONTRIBUTION TO THE HUNGARIAN HORSES.
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Marado offspring – 1991 Breeder’s Award Winners NW Sporthorse Breeder’s Show. Yearling in front is HS Pik Brado with Norma Knittle holding him – other horses and people not identified. |
A Letter from Ellen Walker
Ellen Walker purchased Hungarian Hala #1485 (Hungarian Gyemant x
Hungarian Bajos 2). Those of you at the meeting may remember a
chestnut mare with a badly cut foot, which had happened the previous
day. Ellen took her home and treated her.
In March she wrote:
“I’d like to register her just as H. Hala. Hala means “gratitude” in
Hungarian and the name will be a reminder that we brought her home
over Thanksgiving, and my little private salute to you, Cooksleys, for
all the work you have done to preserve these wonderful horses.
Her foot has healed to the point where probably it will give her no problem
with soundness or movement. I am very pleased with her movement. Her
natural way of going looks like dancing. |
H. Hala June 03 (4 years old) at the Canal Canyon trailhead. | |
You can see from her posture how relaxed she is about the whole thing. This is at about 8000 feet up from 6000 feet at the trailhead. |
George, you would think Hala had been born in the mountains, the way
she has taken to trail riding. At my age, I should be nervous about
riding really green horses on tails, but she is so steady, and has been
from her first day out, I forget how green she is.
On her very first ride we negotiated up and down steep rocky hills, several water
crossings (including one that was 2 feet deep and in flood stage),
downed timber and a high, narrow wooden bridge (that was the one thing
she was really worried about).
Since then, I’ve had her out numerous
times, and we’ve trotted and cantered on the trail, and had dogs
running along. In the arena, she is still pretty green, but that will
come. Her injured hoof is so close to normal now I think even most
horsemen wouldn’t notice it. |
Last year I bought a breeding to Pajkos, and the mare didn’t take. I
just talked to Pat, and we agreed to save that breeding for next year,
and I will breed Hala, so we will get a Felver baby.”
Hungarian Zsofia’s (H. Gyemant x H. Monda) filly by a Dutch/Trakehner
stallion.
She has already been on trail rides, crossing water, through
deadfall, and up and down steep rocky slopes. She is very pleased with
her. |
H. Zsofia (7 years old) with Sportlo filly (3 weeks old) June 2003 |
News From Members
CONGRATULATIONS!
Hungarian Tokaj, owned by Christina Berryman, was the 2003 Baby Green Reserve Grand Champion in Nebraska/Iowa Hunter/Jumper Association. I have had no word about their 2004 show season so far. Hungarian Tokaj (Hungarian Laszlo x Hungarian Tiszta 3).
We look forward to hearing your 2004 show results.
Bob and Maggie Krehbiel sent their dues from California where they are still living at their daughters. They have all their horses with them including Hungarian Baron Gyemant. He was bred to one mare this year. He is doing great.
Donna Webster of British Columbia says she is very much enjoying her Hungarian horse, H. Legend # 1302 (Hungarian Epic x Victory’s Finale, TB). Not only is he beautiful, he also has a wonderful personality.
Kayla Reimer of Illinois is anxious to start trying for USDF awards with Hungarian Wineglass Bacchus (Hungarian Bikaver x Wineglass Madeira). He was bred by Linda Rudolphi, sold to Karen Mullin and came back to Illinois from the Karen’s estate.
Heidi Christenson writes, “Alyssa (Sujack) is a wonderful 12 year old girl who is a great little rider. They have purchased H. Wild Angel (Hungarian Pajkos x Arctic Princess, TB) and Alyssa is planning on showing her in eventing. I believe the first show will be in May at the Barrington, IL mini horse event. I am very excited for both Angel and Alyssa. I feel every horse needs their own special person. I am glad that the two of them found each other.”
I was pleased with this signature on her note from Brooke Worrel of Kansas, “Your new Hungarian Horse Loving Friend”. We have been very pleased through the years with our many “Hungarian Horse Loving Friends”.
The Hungarian horses have established many new friendships through the years amongst their owners. We are very happy with ours.
Lisa Wilson of Maryland reported that she has had several breedings to HS Vitez (HS Hadur x Flitterwochen, TRAK). We are glad there are Hadur offspring being added to the registry. Besides being happy for Lisa.
Anne Sushko’s 1994 mare is out of a Thoroughbred mare so should have been a Felver. However, the Thoroughbred papers have been lost so we did not have the proof necessary for the Felver. Pat remembered breeding the mare and that she was a Thoroughbred but she had no record either.
Hungarian Top Gun (H. Gyemant x H. Tiska) ridden by Jackie Mathes.
Photo courtesy of Jim Stoner Photography.
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Marlys Munnell of Texas sent this photograph of Hungarian Top Gun (Hungarian Gyemant x Hungarian Tiska 3) ridden by his trainer Jackie Mathes. She is very proud of how far he has come in a year and a half. He is now sold to one of Jackie’s students. Jackie had become very attached to him.
She also writes that HS Giselle (Hungarian Laszlo x HS Bajos 5) has such beautiful movement with the Pik Brado blood. Because her letter missed the 12/03 newsletter, the news is rather outdated for she was going for professional training in December. HS Normandy (Rubin, Trakehner x Hungarian Bajos III) who is doing dressage training but is having problems with a sore back.
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She also has Hungarian Pazarlo (Hungarian Gyemant x Foto Image) born in 1989. He was placing in dressage shows as a younger horse but his career was interrupted by his owner’s family problems. She says “ he is so fabulous and one in a million but is having problems with navicular”. They are exploring various treatments.
We extend our sympathy to Marlys in the loss of Hungarian Beaumont (Hungarian Gyemant x Hungarian BonBon) who died in August. She had great plans for him. “We had a cool Fall wind blow in one day and he was very happy running around the pasture bucking, when he came running too fast, didn’t turn in time, and slid into a loafing shed and broke his neck and died instantly”. She was devastated. Steve has often come in to say the horses have really scared him as they play for the last minute, quick turns seem to be a favorite. On the other hand I feel very sorry for the expensive performance and show horses that are never allowed the freedom to run and play for fear of injury. It reminds me of the child’s stages in life when you must “remove the reins”.
Wanda’s note:
The Farrier’s Association has a booklet “In Depth Look at Navicular Disease” which has been very helpful to Steve and I in learning about navicular. You may order from American Farrier’s Journal, P O Box 624, Brookfield, WI 53008-0624 or 800-645-8455 or www.americanfarriers.com. The cost is $12.95.
Barb Daniels wrote in April, “I think Hungarian Rose (Hungarian Talisman x Delicato, a Budapest daughter) is being a wonderful ambassador for the Hungarian breed. Everyone
who meets her is so impressed with her disposition. I’ve taken her to a horse clinic and she was quite a star!” She is looking forward to a summer on the trail and beach with a little
dressage.
On January 28, Linda Rudolphi received the following e-mail from Loretta and Megan Clifford who own H. Talta ( H. Taltos x H. Tiszta 3) : Talta is doing great! She is so willing to do anything Megan asks of her and she tries very hard. Megan is working with the trainer to teach Talta all about jumping. Talta loves it!!! She is so athletic. They are working at 2 ft jumps. Megan is loving it as Talta has a great deal of power and never refuses. We are a bit frozen up here. The horses are all tucked into their stalls, but we freeze each time we go out as the wind chills are 13 below.
The Krehbiels sent this picture of Hungarian Baron Gyemant (*Shandor, Shagya x H. Kek Gyemant Noi) bred by Caroline Hoff Cornelius, now of Homestake Hungarians in Montana. We hadn’t seen a picture of him for several years.
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Hello Wanda,
I’m not sure if this is newsletter worthy or not, but I thought I would go ahead and share this with you and maybe you would share this with the Hungarian Horse Association via the newsletter. Recently I was researching (through the Jockey Club web site) my horse’s lineage (Osero Orbit Hungarian Horse #1342) I found out she is a descendant of Seabiscuit, see attached.
I have owned Osero Orbit aka Gracie for a little over a year. When I bought her she hadn’t been doing anything but roaming 300 acres. Her training appeared to be nothing more than a little flat work. She shied and spooked at almost everything man-made and especially dogs. After about 6 months of training she has become a strong jumper and hardly shies at anything. She also no longer fears dogs because her main job is riding to hounds fox hunting, (our club does not kill any game, the hounds are called off if needed) most of what we hunt is coyote that usually run off our territory ending our pursuit. Gracie has 40 hunts under her belt this season, she is an intelligent, fast, sturdy horse with plenty of stamina and a friendly personality. When the Hounds open with their cry Gracie’s ears and head are up and you can almost feel her muscles tightening getting ready to run. Last Saturday, during a hunt we got on a coyote and ran for 30 minutes, during the run, we jumped 10 coups (2’6” to 3’6”) high. There were only 4 horses that lasted the entire run, out of a field of 25, of course Gracie was there right out in front. She is always out in front and makes it to the end of the hunt no matter how long or hard we are riding.
My daughter and I enjoy riding her and hope to show her in the off-season. My daughter takes riding lessons on Sundays and I hunt her on Wednesdays and Saturdays. She is a wonderful horse and a true testament to the breed.
Michael J Ferraro
5959 Jaeger Glen Drive
Lithia, FL 33547
Editor’s comments
Osero Strider, Osero Orbit’s sire, born in 1986, was by Pat Vogel’s Hungarian Pajkos and out of an Arabian mare. We received a video of him as a two year old. He was incredibly active, athletic young horse. We were used to the agility of the Hungarians but his was outstanding. The right trainer could have made him a very impressive performer in a variety of disciplines. We were especially reminded of a circus trick horse because he loved to play. We wrote to his owner. Then family problems developed and he moved from place to place siring an occasional foal. Osero Orbit was born in 1993 in Florida. The last I heard of Strider was a letter from Texas in 1996.
Pardon the reminiscing of an old lady but this story could be told about many horses. They are totally dependent upon their owners for the development of their abilities and their use.
Thank you Michael Ferraro for giving Osero Orbit an opportunity to develop and use her talents.
Osero Orbit #1342 (Osero Strider #1068 x Karen’s Orbit JC 7928841). The Thoroughbred Orbit line came from Seabiscuit, as mentioned in Mr. Ferraro’s letter. When working with Laszlo Monostory on the extended pedigrees, he repeatedly cited famous Thoroughbreds in England and France in the Hungarian pedigrees. I couldn’t write fast enough to record everything and hoped Laszlo and I could work together again. Unfortunately his vast knowledge of the horses and their pedigrees is only partially recorded and not organized into useful form.
The ladies working on the web site plan to include extended pedigrees. Hopefully someone will have the time and inclination to do research on them for us. The Kisber horses made a name for themselves in Europe in the endurance rides. The racetrack at Kisber was very popular with the Budapest horse Enthusiasts. The Kisberi horses also were very popular as cavalry mounts in Europe. The US Remount Service had studied the horse breeding farms in Europe to decide how to improve the quality of the US cavalry horses with a development program. They chose the Hungarian program at Kisber so were pleased to be able to import basic bloodlines from that program after World War II. And so began the story of Hungarian horses in the United States and Canada.
Bayo – August 2003 - yearling
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Patricia Van Dyke of Sutherland, NE sent photographs of her yearling HS
Bayo #HS 253 (Hungarian Sarga x HS Bajos 5) gelding. She says he has a
very laid back and willing attitude and moves with light easy strides.
In addition he is the first one at the gate to greet everyone. She is
looking forward to riding and driving him.
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This foal is Hungarian Sir Bungee AF #1509 (Shandor, Shagya x Hungarian
O’thea) Because of his own quality and his pedigree Adele wondered if
someone would be interested in him as a Felver stallion. You have read
of his sire, Shandor. His dam Hungarian O’thea is by Oman’s Thunder by
Oman Shagya out of H. Aranka who was by the original US Shagya, Bravo.
Her dam was Dore II, Judith Gyurky’s breeding. It is an interesting
pedigree and totally unrelated to most of the Felver mares. The Gyurky
breeding goes back to De Vole, her Grand Prix Jumping mare and includes
Sobricka. The Kisber line includes Hungarian Kallo, one of Steve’s
favorites. Steve really liked the mare H. Aranka. |
H. Sir Bungee AF #1509 |
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Thank you, Chris and Marty for the Christmas card and note. Linda Rudolphi said she visited and found H. Bikaver (H. Gyemant x H. Tiszta) a very happy and contented horse. Their family is grown and Marty is ready to become a more active competition rider again. The most appreciated note: (breeders need encouragement too, you know): “Thank you for breeding H. Bikaver. He is a wonderful horse and has fit beautifully into our family. His barn buddy is part Shagya. They get along great. Chris and Marty Power, McLean, Illinois.”
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I receive moving information from horse rescue groups. They are always anxious for donations for adoptions. Many become unable to work or perform, through no fault of their own, but would make wonderful companions for people or other horses, if you have a place to house them.
Our latest news on West Nile Virus: last year Nebraska had the highest incidence in the nation. This year it has been slow to appear and less numerous even now. They said Texas has been very hard hit this year. But, they caution, don’t relax your vigilance!
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He’s a phenomenal stallion. He has an excellent work ethic and a wonderful attitude. He’s very well behaved and very kind”.
