To capture the personality of Kalman de Jurenak is a difficult task. In a sense he belongs to a different world. A world of good manners, charm and courtesy. Born in Hungary, his early life was spent there and something of the spirit and life of that country in pre-war years remains within him.

Coming from a family of substance, all his memories of early manhood reflect a way of life that no longer exists. He recalls, for instance, on returning from boarding school for Christmas, being met at the station by a sledge and a pair of fine horses; being tucked up in furs, and driven home through the snowy countryside, and of his father’s carriage and four in hand that he was seldom allowed to travel in.

As he grew into young adulthood his life was one of a considerable pleasure, music, balls, and increasingly his passion for horses, filled his days and nights, and he led something of an idyllic life as a Hussar officer. The war changed the world he lived in, and finally he left Hungary as an immigrant with, as he says, ‘just my underpants’.

His principal training had been with the Hungarian cavalry and horses were the only things he felt he knew about. He found some work in Germany where, in keeping with most young men, his principal interest was in jumping.

Even today he admits he is not sure whether it is dressage or jumping which interests him most. During this period in Germany he had the opportunity to have lessons with Otto Lorke, and his interest in dressage, which had always been considerable, became greatly stimulated.

Although he left Hungary as an immigrant he remains, to this day, a Hungarian. A romantic and an emotional person who, with tears in his eyes, delights in the songs he heard the Gipsy bands singing in his youth. The warmth, the humour and the pleasures that he has found in life, the trials and the troubles, have all gone to make this man of warmth, courage and humour.

It must have been no easy task to learn to speak both German and English, and it must be admitted that his delightful accent is part of his charm. He is apt to say of himself, “I can’t speak any language properly now. I have forgotten Hungarian, and I have great trouble with the other two.” However the words come out, one thing is sure, he never has any difficulty in communicating with either man or beast.

For many years Karl worked in Australia which he still regards as his home. His children and grandchildren live there, and one day he feels he will go back. For the present Karl works for the Hanoverian Society in Verden. He is involved in all aspects of the Society’s work, but most especially in the training of the auction horses and his personal contact with purchasers. On behalf of the society he travels the world helping to develop the breeding of the Hanoverian horse, and giving training clinics as well as demonstrations with Verden horses and bereiters.

But the facts of his life fade into insignificance when you talk to him. Those who know him, love him. He is a very human man, someone who is, above all else, kind and sympathetic, yet always wonderful company, with a sparklingly wicked wit, though seldom at anyone else’s expense.

His personality shines when he teaches for it is then that his true love of both horses and people shows most. No one is ever made to feel a fool. They are never bullied and only the occasional comment to an established rider such as ‘well that was a load of garbage, let’s do it again’ never makes a lesson with him less than a joy.

Because of his charm, riders try their hardest and work their hearts out to please him. His patience is endless and he helps and enhances everyone’s horses however humble or however grand. Just as he is insistent on reward and praise for the horse, so is he rich in his encouragement to the rider when things are going well.

“I believe that people ride for pleasure,” he told me, “they don’t want to be made to feel miserable. Every horse is not going to win Grand Prix, but every horse can certainly be improved.”

He is never afraid to say what he thinks and believes in, but somehow the way he disagrees with an opinion makes the giver feel he is in fact in agreement, though perhaps taking a slightly different viewpoint! It is hard to know whether this a developed talent or just another manifestation of his impeccable manners.

Kalman is beginning to take regular clinics in Britain, and it is our great good fortune that he has many friends here who are always entreating him to return.

– Pegotty Henriques

see also

Kalman de Jurenak and the horses of Hannover