The Budyonny was first bred in the USSR in the 1920s and is now a valued sporting horse. It is named after Marshal Budyonny, a cavalry officer and hero of the 1917 Russian Revolution.
After the Second World War, Marshal Budyonny encouraged strict breeding patters, to create a quality cavalry horse. English Thoroughbreds and Russian Don horses were selected and cross-bred to produce the perfect military mount - a horse with speed, steady nature and endurance. By 1948 it was a recognised breed world-wide.
Nowadays, Budyonnys are bred in government-controlled studs in the southern Rostov region of the USSR. They are reared in large herds and live a semi-wild existence.
APPEARANCE.
The Budyonny has excellent confirmation for an athlete. The head is attractive, the body is deep and the hindquarters are well developed. Its legs are long and fine, with the hindlegs providing the power to meet the demands of equestrian sport.
HEIGHT.
15.2hh to 16hh.
COLOUR.
Most often chestnut but sometimes bay, brown or black. As with many of the Russian breeds the Budyonny has a golden sheen on its coat.
PERSONALITY.
The Budyonny is intelligent and willing. Both of these characteristics, along with its excellent build, have helped make it a popular horse for competitive sports. It is particularly good at eventing, dressage, steeple-chasing, show-jumping and long-distance riding.
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