Comments on: Horses in History: The Hungarian Heroine, part III

By: mary w

mary w — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:58:18 +0000

Countess Judith lived in the Greenwood section of Albemarle County, across the road from the HPS arabian farm in one direction and Wavertree Hall, home of the then defunct Greenwood Hunt (late 1960′s). We used to listen to the countess tell stories for hours on end, and if she hadn’t had barn work to do, she could have gone on forever, it seemed. I remember one about “Crazy Uncle Tony” who drove for the Bugatti racing team. One night he was taking a lovely young thing out for a late night drive and managed to go off a cliff in reverse. I believe that was the night he became the “Crazy” uncle. She should have had a late night TV show to tell those stories on. Raconteur is the correct term for her, but I do not know the Magyarul for it. I now write fantasy novels, in which Pulik figure prominently, and there are aspects of the Countess – her sausage recipe and the concept that the countess has to know how to do every job on the farm if she’s to run the place. (Men are only good for going off in the navy.) I wish I could remember every word she said, and remember it correctly!! I’d tell you all of them. Ah; the Internet tells me it is anekdotázó.

By: Laszlo Sorg

Laszlo Sorg — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 01:40:05 +0000

For the record, the main Port-a-Ferry farm is indeed no longer property of the family but I, a nephew of Judith Gyurky, still own and live on a small part thereof.

By: Saman tha Martel

Saman tha Martel — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:08:31 +0000

Thank you so very much for this fabulous story. So much has passed and without this sort of archive, these stories would be lost forever. I hope that perhaps you may consider making this a book, rather then just a short story – after all, look at “The Eighty Dollar Champion” – another story almost forgotten but now famous and preserved by someone like you, who happened upon a photo and wanted to find out what it was about. Will definitely share this story!

By: donkeyhoteeee

donkeyhoteeee — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 04:15:23 +0000

What a fascinating and inspiring series, it seems unbelievable that this amazing story hasn’t made its way into common knowledge among horse people. Thank you for all of your research and passion in rediscovering Judith’s courageous story. Someone should make a movie! GREAT read…

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:13:49 +0000

Thank you Gale! Lindsey, the best records I can find show the farm being listed as “Port A Ferry Farm” in Greenwood, Virginia. I believe it was located somewhere off of Plank Road. Also, as far as I can tell, the property is no longer in the possession of Judith’s family.

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:38:33 +0000

Lorraine, do you know where outside of Charlottesville Judith lived? I went to school at UVA, and while there was a thriving horse community, I never heard anything about this – which is a massive shame, if I’ve ever heard any story that deserves to be retold, its this one.

By: Gale

Gale — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:17:59 +0000

Love this story, and her legacy.