10 March 2020

Zoltán Lázár returns to International Driving Sport

Successful Hungarian international pair and four-in-hand driver Zoltán Lázár is planning to make his return to the International Driving Sport in 2020 after being hiatus for two years. His goal: a podium place at the 2021 European Championships for four-in-hands in his capital city of Budapest. Hoefnet recently had the chance to sit down with Zoltán for an exclusive interview.

Zoltán Lázár en Tamás Tóth
Photo: Krisztina Horváth

What have you been doing these past 2 years? Have you driven at all?

I haven’t driven in the past two years, but I do have a connection with horses as I start every day with a look around our stables and yard. I walk through the stables and pet our horses and it is the same routine at the end of the day before I go home. But I did not drive at all. I felt so offended after Lipica and I was hurt so much that I didn’t want to drive anymore. I only drove once, for the opening of the National Riding Hall in Budapest as the Prime Minister of Hungary was there for the opening. I put my team together for this occasion and drove them, which I really loved and enjoyed, because of course this was my life.
After a while things slowly started to calm down, but I really thought I would never drive again. In fact, I wanted to focus on my son’s career and prepare young horses. Not for driving but for jumping. Our stable, which was at our disposal for driving, is now full of jumping horses.

Then with the announcement that we got the 2021 European Championships, and thanks to the great persuasion of my brother Vilmos and Tamás (Tóth), we decided to start over again. I feel that on some level it is my responsibility to be part of the European Championships and I would certainly like to do it.

I started preparing already, I bought new horses and I have my old horses as well. Every moment I spend behind my horses on the carriage is happiness. I realized that I truly missed it.

Tell us about the horses, what breed are they?

They are not Lipizzaners, but Dutch and German bay and black horses. I bought them from abroad and in Hungary. I have twelve horses at the moment but I am always searching and trying to find better horses, which is very hard because there are very few really exceptional horses.

What are your plans for 2020 and 2021?

It will not be easy, but it is the plan to start at the first Hungarian outdoor competition next year in Mezőhegyes. It is going to be a preparation year for me, because my goal is the 2021 EC, and that is where my focus will be. There are three to four Hungarian competitions where I would like to start. Vecsés is coming back with a competition, that one for sure, probably also in Aachen. And maybe in Valkenswaard.

I don’t know yet if I will start at the World Championships in Kronenberg next year. If I feel that I have a chance to be on the podium, then I will start, if not, then probably I will not be there. I hope to be on the podium because that’s what I am working for.

In 2021 I will of course drive the whole season!

Photo: Rinaldo de Craen

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