The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1984-02-01 / 2. szám
Bertalan de Nemethy, Hungary’s gift to American horsemen. part in “Nations Cups” competition all over Europe. A MAN OF GREAT COURAGE When World War II exploded, Bertalan de Nemethy rejoined the Third Hussar Regiment, which subsequently spearheaded a drive deep into Russian territory. But, when the Hungarian cavalry’s advance was blunted and hurled back with great losses, he did not lose his sense of responsibility as an officer. Instead, he succeeded in rounding up 300 survivors of the ill-fated expedition and led them back safely to Hungary. Because of this demonstration of courage in the face of overwhelming military pressure and under terrible hardships and suffering, he was appointed Commanding Officer of the cavalry unit at the Ludovica Military Academy. However, when it became obvious to him that Hungary would be over-run by the Soviets, he rounded up a small group of young cadets and escaped with them to German-occupied Denmark. After the end of World War II, Bertalan de Nemethy decided not to return to his native land because it was already occupied by the Russians. He remained in Denmark for six more years and earned his livelihood as a riding instructor in Copenhagen. But, having worldwide connections among horsemen, he emigrated to the United States in 1952 and settled down in Tarrytown, February 1984 Page 17 New York, where he taught riding at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club. CONVERTING LOSERS INTO WINNERS The United States Equestrian Team had been founded two years before Bertalan de Nemethy arrived in America by equine enthusiasts eager to participate in international competitions in show jumping, three-day, and dressage. In 1952, the year the Hungarian horseman arrived in the U.S., the team won a bronze medal at the Helsinki Olympics. Three years later, however, they finished fourth and last in the Pan American Games at Mexico City. Then, Bertalan de Nemethy was brought in as coach of the showjumping team. Things were never the same after that. The team soon began to win competitions all over the woFld and on behalf of the United States of America. FROM CONNECTICUT TO NEW JERSEY For the first five years of Bertalan de Nemethy’s tenure as coach, the United States Equestrian Team trained at Greenwich, Connecticut. When the James Cox Brady family of Gladstone, New Jersey, allowed the team to use its 50-stall, stable facility, the team moved to the Garden State. Unfortunately, however, the team may not be headquartered much longer at Gladstone because of encroaching commercial developments and drastic changes in the team’s training requirements. NO RETIREMENT FOR A LIVING LEGEND Bertalan de Nemethy may have stepped down from coaching the show jumping squad of the United States Equestrian, Team, but he is far from being “retired.” He jogs at least two miles every day, rides every mornipg, and continues to “globe-trot” on equine business. His services as an expert are in great demand all over the world and no end is in sight. Bertalan de Nemethy is a living legend and lives it! ^ The great coach of the show jumping squad of the U.S.A. Equestrian Team at Valley Forge in 1978.
