Soldier, major, artilleryman. Rider and trainer. He was awarded, among others, 3 times with the Cross of Valour. PN Winner, New York 1926, Nice 1926 Hamlet 2.20. (And them.),
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Michał Toczek was born on September 27, 1889 in Nozdrzec in the family of Wojciech Toczek and Katarzyna née Sochacka. He graduated from primary school in his hometown. He loved horses from an early age. He got used to them and understood them.
From September 1, 1901 to May 27, 1909, he was a student at the CK Gymnasium in Przemyśl with Polish as the language of instruction. On May 27, 1909, he passed his secondary school-leaving examination. In the period from October 1, 1909 to June 15, 1913, he studied law at the Jan Kazimierz University in Lviv. On June 15, 1913, he received a legal discharge. As a law graduate, he successfully passed two legal exams: historical and political, and one strict state exam.
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Our hero belonged to an honorable group of patriots who, as Królikiewicz himself said, when addressing the Polish community, did not play "only games" in the Polish army and jumped masterfully in front of the audience, "but also during the war, when it happens" and the chest covered with orders was the best proof of this.
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His request - "Remember about Poland, which we serve." – addressed to compatriots in the United States is still valid.
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The entire article and other sources can be found in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library (click)
Author: Agata Duda
Below you will find links to related materials in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library
Entry updated: 19.11.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX
Michal Toczek died in Przemyśl on October 30, 1971, at the age of 82.
He was buried at the Communal Cemetery in Zasanie (section 17, row 9, grave number 5).
Publications in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library:
Click on the links below to access related materials in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library (will open in a new tab):
“Majr Michał Toczek, master of horse riding” (2021) – Agata Duda
“Major Michał Toczek's horse road…” (2021) [fragments] – Agata Duda
“Polish Olympic riders of the interwar period, part II” (2019) – Hanna Łysakowska
“Polish Olympic riders of the interwar period, part I” (2018) – Hanna Łysakowska
“Riders-Olympians of the Second Polish Republic” (2012) – Renata Urban
"Michał Toczek" (2012) - Witold Danish
“The Forgotten Major Toczek” (2002) – Henryk Majcher
"Olympic Riders" (2000) - Hanna Łysakowska
“Poles in the Nations Cup, 1923-1982” (1982) – Witold Domański
"From Nice to New York" (1927) - Adam Królikiewicz
Related Legends:
Sergiusz Zahorski
Brigadier General of the Polish Army, head of the Military Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Poland, co-founder of Polish equestrian sports, participant of the 1912 Olympic Games in the Russian national team.
Rider and Breeder, 1922-1939
A pre-war weekly magazine addressed to breeders, athletes, racing and horse enthusiasts. Poles for whom the history of our country is inextricably linked with horse breeding and equestrian sports.
International Equestrian Competitions – Łazienki Królewskie – Warsaw, 1927
On May 27.05.1927, 5000, the Hippodrome with stands for XNUMX spectators was opened in Łazienki Królewskie. The design of the arena was made by Józef Główczewski (designed by Łącka and Białka), modeled on the Monte Pincio Hippodrome in Rome.
White and Red Nations Cup – New York, 1926-29
On November 25, 1926, Polish riders won the prestigious Nations Cup in New York. This success was treated as an emanation of the national spirit and a demonstration of the strength of the Polish army.
Henryk Dobrzanski
Soldier, rider, Olympian. The last Polish commander of a Detached Unit during World War II. He died with a gun in his hand.
Gallery:
Szosland, 20s, inv. no. F219/3. photo. from the collection of the Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw.
Warsaw, July 20, 1926, reference number 3/1/0/7/1071. photo. from the collection of the National Digital Archives.
