White and Red Nations Cup – New York, 1926-29

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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.  
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In September 1926, Poland received an invitation to participate in the International Equestrian Competitions in New York.

“(…) The invitation came unexpectedly, at the last moment, and it was mainly thanks to the regiment. Zahorski, and to a large extent thanks to the efforts of our deputy in Washington, Mr. Ciechanowski, as well as the consul general in New York, Mr. Dr. Pears. (…)”

The invitation specified: the number of riders, horses and orderlies. Therefore, the Ministry of Military Affairs appointed 3 officers to go to the New York competition: Maj. Michał Toczek from the 10th DAK, captain Adam Królikiewicz from the 1st Cavalry Regiment and Lieutenant Kazimierz Szosland from the 2nd Uhlan Regiment.

Major Toczek and Lieutenant Szosland were summoned to Warsaw, where Capt. Królikiewicz. Training began near the Cavalry Department of the 1st Regiment of Light Horses. There was not much time to prepare for the trip. Not expecting to participate in competitions, the horses were given a rest after the spring competitions in Nice, Rome, Naples, Milan and Warsaw.

On October 28, the Polish team left for Antwerp. Individual riders were accompanied by the following horses: Major Toczek – Faworyt and Hamlet, Capt. Królikiewicz – Jacek and his own Unigeno, cf. Szosland – Redgledt and his own Morinus.

Through Zbąszyn - Berlin - Aachen - Brussels, the Poles reached Antwerp a few days before being loaded onto the ship.
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Read more... (click to go to the Polish Digital Equestrian Library)
Author: Agata Duda