... on the Great Plain and the special trees of the city park provide a unique an traditional atmosphere to Mezöhegyes.

The importance of Mezöhegyes at horse breeding is indisputable, since here were bred 3 different types of horse species in the 1800's: Nóniusz, Furioso North Star (Mezöhegyes cross-bred) and the Gidrán. Nóniusz is the most well known and internationally recognized Hungarian horse species.

Stud Director: János Kovács
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The Mezöhegyes Stud, which was originally established in 1784, is one of the oldest studs in Europe.

His Royal Highness Joseph II, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary ordered the setting up of military horse breeding in Hungary in 1784. Its main task was to supply the army with young horses. The management of the military stud was converted into a remonte-base, a trading place and a basic store for consumer goods for the army.

The development of the three breeds was the result of this period, i.e. the Gidran, the Nonius and the Mezohegyes (half-bred), they were the result of a well-considered and conscious breeding process.

Following the settlement between Austria and Hungary in 1867, Mezohegyes came under the auspices of the Hungarian Treasury so that its future remained secured as an Austrian horse breed.

The estate is now more than 100 years old and comprises over 16,040 ha of land. Following the cultivation of the fields, the increase in the stock of cattle and the production of "Mangalica" pigs, dynamic growth developed. Around the turn of the century Mezöhegyes became one of the largest and most modern agricultural estates in Europe.

It continued to develop without interruption until the 2nd world war. Through the war it lost its large stock of cattle, its machines and supply materials. The reconstruction had to be financially supported right from the beginning and lasted into the 1960s.

Mezöhegyes was no exception as far as the collectivisation under the socialist agricultural policy of the time was concerned. With the connection to the state businesses of Dombegyház and Bánkút in the seventies and the merging with the sugar factory of Mezohegyes in 1981 it developed as a typical socialist agricultural business.

Following the change in system the state combine, as most agricultural businesses in Hungary, was in a very bad financial situation. In 1991 and 1992 it recorded the greatest losses since its foundation. In January 1991 the sugar factory was separated and in December 1992 it became a corporate entity of which the state held the major share.

The aim was for it to operate on a profitable basis under the new management. The new profile included cereal cultivation as well as korn and milk production. The original horse breeding played a subordinate role here..

After 220 years the main part was privatised, with the exception of the stud itself.
Mezöhegyes Ltd. was founded, which was only responsible for the breeding and was independent of any support.

Until today the most important mission is to maintain the stud with its old buildings as a unique historic and agricultural treasure, as well as the Nóniusz as the first Hungarian horse breed, and to preserve them for the future.

The national stud is one of the few studs in the world to have bred four different horse breeds. The most important is the Nonius. A horse of rather poor exterior quality with a solid-looking head which captivated, however, by means of its stamina, good temperament, willingness under the saddle as well as a robust and healthy physical build. By bringing Anglo-Arab blood into the breed, it was possible to refine it whilst still keeping its other advantages.

At the same time the Furioso-Norden Stern (Mezohegyes half-breed or English half-breed) and the Gidran and approximately 100 years later the Mezohegyes sport horse was bred which won the national breeding prize in 1984.

After 18 years of breeding the Mezohegyes sport horse, the Hungarian Olympic team won  4th place in Moscow at the 1980 Olympic Games. All three horses in the team were Mezohegyes sport horses.

Over 200 horses stand at the stud today, including 87 stallions. Approximately 30 staff are employed at the stud.

In the centre of the premises is the unique indoor riding school, which was built in 1806 and has been preserved in its original form ever since. The former barracks have been converted into a three-star hotel which also belongs to the stud, and this is also connected to a museum exhibiting historic equipment.

In addition to sightseeing, the stud also offers carriage rides, toboggan rides, riding lessons and many other interesting activities.