Zsófia Dallos, the queen of dressage – Dunakanyar Region

How did your sports career start? How did you come into contact with sports and horse riding?

I was born into a horse family, and I was surrounded by horses from birth through my parents. Both my mother and father were active competitive dressage riders. They gave me the opportunity to try horse riding at a very early age. My first horse ride was when I was 2 years old, when I was able to sit in the saddle in front of my father on his then most successful horse, Bordal. Horse riding as a regular sports activity became a part of my life around the age of 7, and continues to this day. My parents never forced me to do this, I always had the opportunity to do something else, but this was my everything.
When did the first successes come?
My very first competition was when I was 9 years old, where I could enter the competition for the 10-14 age group with a youth discount. It was the first victory. Racing has always motivated me, I always tried to get the best out of myself and my horse in competitions. My first real big result was my 8th place with Grand Sasso at the 1993 European Youth (today’s junior) Championship in Spangenberg.

You were a regular participant in the Hungarian and international field. What was the biggest success of your life?
I have been competing continuously since I was nine years old. First in smaller competitions, then in championships. I was the champion of Budapest 10 times, I won the National Championship of Educational Institutions 8 times, 5 times the Youth (junior) National Championship, 2 times the Junior (Young Rider) National Championship. I was 3x Hungarian Champion in the adult category. My international career began around 1990. The first continental competition was the European Youth Championship in 1992, where I was one of the youngest participants. At the 1993 Junior European Championship, I placed 8th. Meanwhile, I also competed among adults. My most memorable competition was my participation in the World Championships in Aachen in 2006 on my horse named Leonardo.
Who were the people you learned the most from?
First of all, my father, who was my coach from the beginning. With his help, I got ready for the first horse ride. He taught me everything, under his guidance I became a rider, then a competitor and later carried on his teachings as a coach. In addition, if I had the opportunity, I tried to learn the ins and outs of the profession at training camps, since you can learn from everyone and everything. But I don’t forget my horses, i.e. the horses I had the opportunity to work with during my life, as I learned a lot from them and gained a lot of experience with their help.
How long and with whom have you been working as a coach?
In 2006, I obtained a coaching diploma at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences of Semmelweis University. Since then I have also been active as a coach. I had and still have many students. I have a rider who has been with me since the beginning, but there are always new interested parties. My first degree is also from the University of Physical Education, where I also obtained a degree in sports management. I also benefit a lot from this, as the knowledge acquired there is essential in organizing and managerial work as national team captain. I have been teaching dressage to horse trainers and equestrian culture instructors at the university for 17 years.
Have you never wanted to go abroad?
It never crossed my mind to go abroad, even if I had the opportunity. I received concrete offers, even from very good places – at a relatively young age – but I didn’t want to leave.

Were there Olympic dreams?
I think the Olympics is the main goal of every competitor at a higher level. It was for me too. After I became less active in racing, I gave up on this dream.
How did your life path develop?
Good in my opinion! I was usually able to achieve the goals I had set, and if life brought me something else, then the already reconsidered goal was fulfilled. I have a loving and supportive family, lots of enthusiastic and eager to learn students, I have two degrees and all in all I am doing what I love. I started my career as an athlete and a competitor, then with mature knowledge and a suitable academic background, I continued as a coach and teacher and continue to do so to this day.
Tell me, how did the family help?
My parents supported me in everything and still do to this day. I also learned everything about the profession from them. I can thank them for starting me on my path. My partner, Bence, and our daughter, Emma, also help me in everything and ensure a calm family background so that I can concentrate on my work.
Was there an event in your life when it seemed like you would no longer be able to continue working with horses?
In 1995, it was an unfortunate car accident that forced him to take a break for a while. We were on our way to the World Cup round in Poland with our horse transport truck when we overturned in the Czech Republic. Fortunately, the horses, my father and our helper at the time escaped with minor injuries, while I was hospitalized with a triple fracture of the vertebrae. The others were able to continue their journey (my father was still able to win the race), but I was forced to miss a year after several weeks of hospitalization. It was very uplifting to get back on a horse!