Charles De Kunffy Passed Away

Dressage

U.S.A

American based Hungarian classical dressage rider and trainer Charles De Kunffy has passed away on 14 April 2025. He was 89 years old.

Growing Up in Turbulent Times

Born in 1936 into a noble Austrian-Hungarian family, de Kunffy saw the light of day in 1936 and grew up during World War II and Soviet occupied Hungary in the 1950s. Living in life threatening times, De Kunffy developed a deep loathing for authoritarians and dictators, something he wrote about in his memoir, "A Rider’s Survival From Tyranny."

He grew up on a castle near Budapest in a family that owned all types of horses: race horses, work horses and ponies. Nazis quartered with the de Kunffy family in their castle outside the town, against their will. After the Nazi's left, the Russian communists came. De Kunffy’s father was sent to a labour camp (he survived), their castle and their 80 horses were seized.

In 1952 he was admitted to the Riding Academy in Budapest as the youngest student in the school’s history. The Soviets had revived the academy in the hopes of fielding Olympic riders, and de Kunffy was taught by instructors from various European equestrian institutions, including Vienna and Hanover, such as Pal Kemery, Jeno Kosa-Reznek, Imre Bodo and Geza Hazslinsky-Krull.

Escape to the U.S.A.

A versatile education in dressage, show jumping and eventing
was standard in the classical training of a rider

He escaped Soviet persecution by emigrating to the United States after the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. He landed in New York and always planned to go West. He got a sponsor, attended the University of California at Berkeley on a scholarship, and graduated in 1962. He taught philosophy and psychology in the San Francisco area to high school and college students.

He picked up horse riding at the renowned Pebble Beach stable and impressed the clients and owners with his riding skills and depth of knowledge. It was the start of his career as a dressage educator and within a few years gave up his job as a school teacher to fully spend his life with horses.

Educator

Charles de Kunffy became known as a lifelong educator, prolific author, and charismatic instructor, and has had a resounding impact on dressage in America. He was a highly sought after trainer.

His work as a national and international teacher, lecturer, and clinician has taken him throughout Europe, Africa, Australia, Canada, and the United States. He often spoke out about the lack of mentoring and riding academies and the disappearance of the knowledge of classical dressage.

De Kunffy (right) at the 2013 USDF Convention

Charles published over seven books, including two autobiographies, as well as contributed his expertise to publications such as Dressage and Combined Training, The Chronicle of the Horse, Dressage Today, and USDF Connection.

A retired FEI “C” (now 3*) and USEF “S” Judge, Charles served in various roles for several groups, including the Training of Teachers of Tomorrow Trust, USDF “L” Education Program, and International Dressage Judges Club.

Legacy

For his efforts to keep the art of classical dressage and horsemanship alive, de Kunffy was inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame in 2013.

USDF President George Williams said, “Charles is one of the most eloquent ambassadors of dressage in our lifetime. There is no doubt his writing and teachings will continue to inspire many more generations of dressage enthusiasts to come.”

His most successful student in the international arena is Grand Prix rider Jessica Jo Tate, who met De Kunffy at a clinic in Wisconsin. She became his protegé. Upon his passing, Tate wrote:

Jessica Jo Tate and her mentor De Kunffy

"The world has lost a true gentleman, a man who had a deep love for horses, and the most knowledgeable gift of teaching the people who love them as well. The dedication to what’s right, no matter what, will really stay with me for the rest of my life. He was always this beacon of hope, this ray of elegance, and a moral compass for me. In a world that can be fickle and lacking content, Charles de Kunffy always grounded me into what is right, not only in horse training, but in life itself. More than just my teacher, he was my mentor, and my family."

Read an excellent article about De Kunffy's life in Europe in The Chronicle of the Horse.