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Colonel of the Polish Army cavalry. Commander in Chief of the Home Army.
Prime Minister of the Polish government in exile.

Father Mieczysław. Mother Wanda née Zaleska. Sister Jadwiga. Brother Władysław. Wife Irena née Lamezan-Salins. Sons Adam and Jerzy. A graduate of the Military Academy - Franz Józef Militär Akademie in Vienna.

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General Tadeusz Bór Komorowski came from one of the oldest aristocratic Polish families and his direct ancestors, bearing the Korczak coat of arms, owned estates, among others. in the Trembowla district. We are talking about the already mentioned person, Adam Komorowski (probably the General's 6th great-grandfather), who was the owner of the estate in Łoszniów. He gifted the Carmelite order, brought to Trembowla in 1617 by the then starosta Piotr Ożga from Ossa, with a significant sum of 6000 zlotys for the construction of a church. (…)

Due to the very difficult financial situation of the family and encouraged by Rozwadowski, after graduating in 1913 junior high school in Lviv, he entered the Franz Josef Militӓr-Akademie in Vienna (in later years he graduated from the Lviv Polytechnic University). When asked by Kornel Krzeczunowicz about the reasons for the decision, he replied that he had thought it over and that in the future Poland would need "real soldiers." A surprisingly mature statement for an eighteen-year-old who likes sports. At the same time, Count Władysław studied at the Academy. Piniński. After graduating from the Academy in 1915, as a cavalry cadet, he became a second lieutenant with seniority on March 15, 1915. in the Home Defense Uhlan Regiment No. 3, renamed two years later to 3. Mounted Rifle Regiment. From 1914 r. There were military operations going on and Tadeusz took part in them on the Russian and Italian fronts. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1916. with seniority from 1. November. In 1918 when Captain Józef Dunin-Borkowski began to organize the 3rd Mounted Rifle Regiment in Dębica, soon (in February 1918) renamed the 9th Uhlan Regiment, Lieutenant Tadeusz Komorowski, who brought a group of soldiers equipped with twelve machine guns straight from the Italian front (in Grazu fought a battle with Austrian soldiers trying to take their weapons), he joined the emerging regiment and was its co-organizer. He took part in the war with the Ukrainians in 1919. and in 1920 - with the Bolsheviks. During the Polish-Bolshevik War, as a cavalry captain in the 12th Podolia Uhlan Regiment, leading the regiment into battle on August 31 during the Battle of Komarov, he was wounded, but initially treated on the battlefield, he refused to leave and only in the evening was he forcibly sent by General Rómmel to field hospital. He was verified as a captain (seniority from June 1, 1919). locomotive 69), in 1923 for participating in the war of 1918-1921 he was awarded on January 26, 1922. awarded the Order of Virtuti Militari class V (no. 3001). He remained loyal to the cavalry. After the end of combat operations and partial demobilization, Komorowski's riding talent was most likely noticed, because already at the end of November 1920 he was entrusted with teaching horse riding in the regiment. In 1921 he returned to the 9th Uhlan Regiment, taking up the position of deputy commander of the regiment, then stationed in Żółkiew. In 1922 Komorowski left the regiment after being transferred to a ten-month horse riding improvement course at the Cavalry Training Center in Grudziądz, and at the end of that year he was entrusted with the position of a horse riding instructor at the Artillery Officers' School in Toruń, where he trained the first round of cadets. In the same year, the Regiment partially settled in Czortków (regiment headquarters, communications platoon, squadrons of the 2nd and heavy machine gun), partly in Wygnanka near the city, and the 1st and 3rd squadrons in 4. – in Trembowla (the pioneer platoon was stationed in Brzeżany in those years, and the reserve squadron – in Stanisławów). He was promoted to the rank of major in 1923. (seniority from July 1, 1923 locomotive 22), and in 1924 was moved to 8. Uhlan Regiment commanded by Lt. Col. Władysław Bzowski (ex-husband of the famous poet, Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska, daughter of the painter Wojciech Kossak). The commander's strong emphasis on cavalry training allowed Komorowski to focus on what he liked the most - special sports training. Komorowski was in his element as the commander of the 2nd Division stationed in Kobierzyn near Kraków, where good conditions for horse riding allowed him to improve his skills. A dozen or so riders from this regiment practiced sports riding, and the horses belonged to the Polish top league - so they represented Poland in international competitions. Major Tadeusz Komorowski belonged to the group of Olympic athletes. Olympic Games in Paris in 1924

(…) this is the Polish team in the Comprehensive Riding Horse Competition, consisting of: Lt. Col. Karol Rómmel in Krechowiak, Capt. Kazimierz Suski on Katty Lady, Lt. Kazimierz Szosland on Hela and Major Tadeusz Komorowski on Amon overcame all obstacles very well. The riders made up for the lack of quality of horses with their bravado and excellent riding technique. In order not to tire the horses too much, Polish riders led them by the bridle for miles. The commission concluded that only Poles had completed the task in full. Ultimately, they placed seventh. In the general classification of the competition, Major Tadeusz Komorowski took 26th place. It was considered that achieving better results was not possible at that time due to the quality of the horses.

In 1926, he was entrusted with organizing the School of Professional Cavalry Non-Commissioned Officers in Lviv, and appointed commander of the School. The school's task was to standardize the training of professional cavalry non-commissioned officers from various conquering armies, increase discipline and train them. Moving the school to Jaworow, 50 km away from Lviv, allowed Komorowski to take part in competitions on the Lviv horse racing track. He used his own good half-bred horses and other horses for sports riding, which he trained himself, coming from the breeding farm of Count Tarnowski from Chorzelów. Most often he rode a bay mare, Great Granddaughter. He won many awards at races in Lviv, but he also competed successfully in indoor riding arena competitions. Sports success did not go hand in hand with a good personal life. After settling in Lviv, the family struggled with financial problems. Tadeusz Komorowski tried to help as much as he could, but he was unable to support her. The health problems of his brother and father, and the subsequent suicide of the latter, kept Tadeusz awake at night. However, he worked and trained, advancing and achieving success in equestrian sports. In November 1927, Major Tadeusz Komorowski took over the position of commander of the 9th Regiment after Lt. Col. Dipl. Janusz Pryziński, and on January 1, 1928, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel (seniority from January 1, 1928, location 18). The regiment was then stationed in Chortkiv and Trembowla.

In 1927, the Sokół-Macierza horse competition was held in Lviv. The end of the "Militari" race took place on May 17. Major Komorowski on Prawneczki won, scoring 1863 out of 2000 possible. Leon Krzeczunowicz, leading in the classification, was disqualified for avoiding an obstacle. A few days later, on May 23, Komorowski won the hunting race on his mare Ta Trzecia, winning the prize in the form of a golden cigarette case worth PLN 800, containing PLN 100. Komorowski appreciated this award very much. During this period, he met his future wife, Irena Lamezan-Salins, daughter of General Robert Lamezan-Salins. (…)

Col. Komorowski's numerous activities in the regiment did not constitute an obstacle to taking part in equestrian competitions. During this period, he planned to marry Irena Lamezan-Salins, daughter of General Robert Lamezan-Salins, in September. It was to take place in Świrz, an estate belonging to Irena's mother. During the Army Championships (later the Comprehensive Riding Horse Competition), which Komorowski dreamed of winning, an accident occurred. During a cross-country race, in which he rode Granddaughter (born 1927), a mare he rode, on which he won many competitions by jumping over logs of wood, as a result of her leg catching on a log, the mare fell down, crushing the rider. He suffered a broken two ribs and a collarbone, and soon, in July, during the above-mentioned maneuvers, it suddenly swelled and ended up in the hospital. The diagnosis, considering the state of medical knowledge at that time, did not allow for optimism - a kidney was damaged during an earlier accident and the onset of uremia. Although the planned wedding was postponed, the treatment did not bring results. Only the therapy undertaken as a result of Dr. Alfred Edelmann's diagnosis in a hospital in Vienna and a several-month stay in Heluan in Egypt gave positive results. The wedding planned in Świrz took place on February 24, 1930, but far from Irena's family home, in a Polish church in Vienna. (…)

In 1933, Komorowski was promoted to the rank of colonel (with seniority from January 1, 1933). As recalled in his study by the officer of the 9th Regiment, the legendary Rtm. Edward Ksyk, "With the arrival of the new commander, a different spirit blew in the regiment." Exercises began to improve dressage riding under the supervision of the regiment commander, who practiced together with officers. At the same time, field exercises, map application exercises, combat training, drill and shooting were not neglected. Horse riding, previously practiced by a few officers, became a practice for all officer youth. We didn't have to wait long for the results - the level of riding in the squadrons significantly increased. Careful clothing began to be worn, old coats, still from American deliveries from the war, were withdrawn (they were used to repair damaged trousers), replaced by Polish coats, made in accordance with applicable regulations. The level of training was gradually improving, but Colonel Komorowski constantly increased the requirements.

Before the Olympics, a competition was held in Nice, in which the players trained by Komorowski won the cup.

At the turn of 1935/36, Komorowski was assigned to the Cavalry Training Center in Grudziądz, and he was entrusted with the function of head of the equestrian team that was to represent Poland in 1936 at the XNUMXth Olympics in Berlin. The very fact of choosing a person who did not frequent Warsaw salons, but worked somewhere on the outskirts (Borderlands) of the Republic of Poland, and did not seek honors, positions and prestigious functions, proves that he was appreciated as a rider, organizer and diplomat. It is worth mentioning, however, that the level of training and the quality of horses of the Polish team did not promise success. (…)

As it turned out, Komorowski was able to inspire the competitors with such a willingness to fight that in the Comprehensive Riding Horse Competition, despite the fall of the captain. Kawecki, resulting in a painful cracked rib, willpower and dedication gave great results - a silver medal in this difficult competition. Winning the gold medal would have been possible if the Polish side had protested against the medal given to the winner, German lieutenant Konrad von Wangenheim, who, as a result of a fall, broken collarbone and fractured humerus, finished the race thanks to the help of his friend. (…)

The course of the Olympics aroused many protests due to the falsification of the results by the majority of German judges. When Polish competitors were unfairly given penalty points during one of the pre-race competitions, Komorowski protested so strongly that the unfair decision was eventually withdrawn. The Polish team consisted of: rtm. Zdzisław Kawecki, captain Seweryn Kulesza, captain Henryk Roycewicz-Leliwa took second place in the Multilateral Riding Horse Competition, scoring 911,7 points. (…)

Komorowski stayed in Grudziądz and already on the second day of the war, which began on September 1, 1939, with the Germans bombing Wieluń, he managed the evacuation of the Center to Garwolin and then headed the reserve center in Garwolin, including the Cavalry Training Center and the reserve centers of the Masovian and Pomeranian Cavalry Brigades. . Then, on September 3, Komorowski was entrusted with managing the defense of the section of the Vistula from Góra Kalwaria to Dęblin. The heroic fight for every piece of Polish land, for every village, grove, meadow, did not bring success. (…)

He began serving as commander of the Western Area in the fall of 1941. His wife followed him to Warsaw. In Warsaw, he used false documents in the name of Jerzy Korabski. The couple lived separately, in full conspiracy (her surname was Malinowska). Komorowski, in addition to his military duties, was tasked by Grot-Rowecki with maintaining contact with the government delegate, Cyryl Ratajski. In February 1942, the ZWZ was renamed the Home Army, whose command body was the Main Headquarters. (…)

The Uprising was taking place when the Soviet army stood on the other bank of the Vistula. Together with the Soviets, subordinated to them, Poles who joined the ranks of the Kosciuszko members to fight for Poland. One of them, a former officer of the 9th Małopolska Uhlan Regiment, Lt. Col. Edward Pisula, tried to cross the Vistula River at the head of his 3rd Uhlan Regiment of the Polish People's Army (he had previously practiced such operations on the Dniester with the 9th Regiment) to help the insurgents. Forcibly detained, he was imprisoned in Italy, where he was murdered. The faithful sons of the Republic of Poland were shaped this way by their commanders, such as General Komorowski, and this is how they saw service for Her, making the highest sacrifice. During the Uprising, Komorowski was ill; In addition to his poor physical and mental condition, he suffered from sinusitis. The symptoms worsened when he was injured. Finally, after 63 days of fighting, the actions were stopped and the "Agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Warsaw" was signed in Ożarów Mazowiecki at the headquarters of Obergruppenführer Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski. General Tadeusz "Bór" Komorowski was captured by the Germans. (…)

After the intervention of the Swiss envoy Feldscher, he was released from captivity. It was liberated near Innsbruck by American soldiers of the 103rd Infantry Division. After a short stay in the Polish Military Center (former Oflag VIIA Murnau) and Paris, a few days after the capitulation of Germany, he arrived in London on May 12, 1945.

Despite so many achievements and decorations, the General did not receive any salary from the British government after the war; he and his wife received only small amounts from the Home Army, which was not enough to support themselves. Irena ran an upholstery company where they both worked. During this period, Komorowski made several trips related to his function to the USA, where he participated in the anniversary celebrations of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising. He received job offers as a consultant but did not accept them. He did not forget about his subordinates, Home Army soldiers, still in prisoner of war camps in Germany. He sought permission from the English to emigrate from Germany to England. In the face of strong opposition, he demanded permission to go to Germany to the POW camp where they were staying.

General Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski died suddenly of a heart attack while hunting near Bletchley.

The greatness of the General, his outstanding personality and the character traits of this steadfast Pole-Patriot are so intimidating that choosing the right words to express admiration and respect is extremely difficult. However, it is worth quoting a few statements of those people who characterized the General's character. (…)

Author: Barbara Seidel
Source: General Tadeusz Bór Komorowski (2024)

Entry updated: 04.07.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX


Tadeusz Komorowski died on August 24, 1966. He was buried in Gunnersbury Cemetery in London. In 1994, the general's ashes were brought to Poland by his son. They were deposited in the headquarters of the Home Army Headquarters at the Powązki Military Cemetery (section A 28-7-7).


9th Lesser Poland Uhlan Regiment (Trembowla MP, amaranth ring)

The regiment was formed in 1809 during the Duchy of Warsaw. He took part in the November Uprising. After years of captivity, the regiment was recreated in November 1918 based on the Polish cadre of the Austrian 3rd National Defense Uhlan Regiment.

He changed Chortkiv to Trembowla,
Now he cries like a baby.

Whether the ninth regiment wants it or not,
They carry a bunch under their saddles.

They fly like devils in the charge,
Borkowski's lancers.

Good in the field, poorly clothed.
Borkowski is uhlans.

And the ninth plague regiment,
He throws his lances and goes into the ditches.

In Podolia, among the grain fields,
A regiment of uhlans guards the borders.

White roses bloomed.
On our blood, under Podgórze.


Source: Żurawiejki (1995) – Stanisław Radomyski


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):

"General Tadeusz Bór Komorowski" (2024) – Barbara Seidel

"Irena Komorowska" (2024) - Barbara Seidel

"Irena of Lamezan-Salins Komorowska" (2023) – Magdalena Białonowska, Anna Kalinowska

"Decisions 'Bora' [fragments] (2023) – Wojciech Rodak

"The Commandant" (1939-1943) (2023) | A fragment of the book "Decisions 'Bora'", published by Ośrodek Karta

"The Olympian" (1924-1939) (2023) | A fragment of the book "Decisions 'Bora'", published by Ośrodek Karta

"The Cavalryman" (1919-1923) (2023) | A fragment of the book "Decisions 'Bora'", published by Ośrodek Karta

"Trembowla part VI” (2023) – Barbara Seidel

"Trembowla part V” (2021) – Barbara Seidel

"Trembowla part IV” (2020) – Barbara Seidel

"Trembowla part III" (2019) – Barbara Seidel

"Trembowla part II" (2018) – Barbara Seidel

"Trembowla part I" (2017) – Barbara Seidel

"At the Side of the Home Army Commander" (2014) – Irena Komorowska

"Lancemen, Uhlans and Mounted Riflemen in the Photography of Narcissus Witczak-Witaczyński" (2013) – Stanisław Zieliński, Leszek Nagórny

"Tadeusz Komorowski-Bór" (2012) – Witold Duński

"9th Lesser Poland Uhlan Regiment 1809-1947" (2011) – Andrzej Przybyszewski

"Commanders of the Cavalry Training Center..." [link](2010)

"Cavalry Units of the Second Polish Republic Part 40" (1998) – L. Kukawski

"Cranes" (1995) - Stanisław Radomyski

“9. "Lesser Poland Uhlan Regiment" (1993) - Lesław Kukawski

"About the Polish cavalry of the 1991th century" (XNUMX) - Cezary Leżeński, Lesław Kukawski

"History of horse riding, part VII” (1990) – Witold Domański

"Paris Olympics 1924" (1990) – Leon Kon

"Berlin Olympics 1936" (1982) – Witold Pruski

"Book of Polish Riding" (1938) - Collective work

"To Mr. Captain Stanisław Olszowski, the Organizing Committee of the International Horse Riding Competitions" (1927)

"Horse racing program at the Janowski airport" (1927)

"Berlin 1936, or the famous (...) eventing competition" [link]


Related Legends:

Jan Tarnowski

Participant of the Greater Poland Uprising, the war with the Bolsheviks, the September Campaign and the Warsaw Uprising. He commanded a squadron of the 13th Vilnius Lancers Regiment of the Vilnius Cavalry Brigade.

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Cavalry Training Center

The cavalry training center of the Polish Army of the Second Republic of Poland in 1928-1939 in the Grudziądz garrison. It was the largest military training unit of this type in Europe. 

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Tadeusz Sokolowski

Soldier, sportsman, 3x MP medalist, 2nd vice-champion of the Army (1935), Olympian of the Olympic Games Berlin 1936 (Running II), 1937-39 head of the equestrian section of WKS Legia, Cichociemni tortured by the Gestapo in Minsk.

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Michal Gutowski

Olympian. Rtm, 17 Greater Poland Lancers Regiment. Chevalier, among others, of the Order of Virtuti Militari, Legion of Honor, Cross of Valor 5 times. General at rest.

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Seweryn Kulesza

Major of the Polish Army cavalry, Olympic silver medalist in equestrian (Berlin 1936). Polish Champion in eventing in 1936 and 1937, and in dressage in 1937.

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Janusz Komorowski

Major of the Polish Army, sports equestrian, Olympian from Berlin, medalist of the Polish Championships in eventing. After the war, a horse riding coach in England and Argentina.

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Zdzislaw Dziadulski

Two-time Olympian (IO Paris 1924 – horse 'Zefir', IO Amsterdam 1928 – 'The Lad' – reserve). 7th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen in Biedrusko (Poznań).

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Zdzislaw Kawecki

Silver medalist from the Olympic Games in Berlin (horse 'Bambino'). Knight of the Cross of Valour, Silver Cross of Merit. 7th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen Wlkp.

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Charles Rommel

Soldier, trainer, artist in painting, drawing and horse riding. Three-time Olympian (1912 - Stockholm, 1924 - Paris, 1928 - Amsterdam). He was active in KJK in Łódź (1937) and JLKS Sopot (after the war).

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Gallery:

The following archives are from Warsaw Uprising Museum




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.

He was born on October 4, 1886 in Zhytomyr, Volyn Governorate. Father Antoni. Mother Helena née Hulanicka. A graduate of the Nikolaev Cavalry School in St. Petersburg and the Military Academy in Warsaw. Brigadier General of the Polish Army

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He was a great rider, soldier and great patriot. Poland did not exist on the map of Europe in the year he was born. He wanted to be a soldier, but he could only become one in the ranks of the Russian army, just like thousands of Poles in the Russian Empire. He began his education as a Cadet Corps midshipman at the Naval School, and eventually graduated from the Cavalry School. In 1912 he was a lieutenant, and from February 23, 1916, a captain.

He had been riding horses since he was a child, which influenced his choice of military specialty.

His greatest successes were both in the saddle, on horseback, and in creating conditions conducive to the development of Polish horse riding. This became possible only after the end of World War I. He fought there from August 12, 1914. He found himself in Poland in 1908 with the Ukrainian Hussar Regiment, which was stationed in Sierpc. There in the second lieutenant's quarters Sergiusz Zahorski the military police found a pro-independence blotter and accused him of helping an unknown fighter whom he hid in the attic. He avoided a court-martial, but in 1909 he was transferred to a reserve regiment in Novgorod. He used this time to improve his horse riding, which took him to the Olympic Games in Stockholm.

(...)

On May 19, 1919, he was sent to America to collect horses. A short period of relative peace in the Eastern Borderlands of the Republic of Poland, colonel Sergiusz Zahorski also uses for sports. In April 1919, he was a member of the authorities of the Preparatory Committee for the Olympic Games, which were to be held in Antwerp from August 14 to September 12, 1920. And they did, but without Polish riders. Poland was fighting for its life against Russia.

On April 1, 1920, the Olympic Equestrian Group was established under the direction of lieutenant colonel Sergiusz Zahorski, deputy commander of the 1st Krechowiecki Uhlan Regiment. The management includes Major Karol Rómmel and Lieutenant Tadeusz Daszewski. Selected horses and riders were transported from Grudziądz to Warsaw. The riders were: lieutenant colonel Sergiusz Zahorski, Captain Stefan Dembiński, Captain Marek Mysłakowski, Lieutenant Bolesław Peretiatkowicz, Józef Trenkwald, Ignacy Sołtan, Trzasko-Jarzyński, Leśniewski, Adam Królikiewicz, Przewłocki, Adam Sokołowski, Ludwik Szwejcer, second lieutenants: Aleksander Bieliński, Stanisław Bukraba, Ryszard Bojankiewicz.

(...)

Commander of the 1st Uhlan Regiment until the end of the war in 1920. From 1922 to 1923, deputy commander of the 16th Uhlan Regiment. In recognition of his achievements and knowledge, he goes to a training course at the Military Academy. Hard work in the army allows him to ride horses every day. In terms of riding technique, he was a supporter, together with Major Karol Rómmel, of natural cavalry fought by Polish officers serving in the former Austrian army, trained at the Militär Reit Lehrer Institut in Vienna.

(...)

Colonel Sergiusz Zahorski, as an Olympian in 1912 in Stockholm (together with Karol Rómmel), in the colors of Russia. He dreamed of becoming a Polish Olympian. It is to his credit that two Olympic groups were created preparing for the Games in Paris in 1924. One was in Grudziądz at the Central Cavalry School, and the other in Warsaw near Łazienki, based on the 1st Light Cavalry Regiment. In Warsaw, Colonel Zahorski rode mainly on Zorza.

(...)

In 1926, colonel Sergiusz Zahorski accomplished a great feat - he led to the creation of the Temporary Committee for International Horse Competitions, which were organized until 1939 in Warsaw, in Łazienki, under the name of the Society of International and National Horse Competitions in Poland. Thanks was launched in the same year Sergiusz Zahorski preparatory work for the construction of a beautiful equestrian stadium in Łazienki. After the winter break, the work gained momentum and on May 27, 1927, the horses could start racing. Colonel Sergiusz Zahorski was from June 20, 1926 to September 21, 1928, the head of the Military Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Poland, Professor Ignacy Mościcki. Thanks to this position, he was able to provide invaluable service to Polish horse riding.

(...)

Author: Witold Duński
Source: "Zahorski Sergiusz" (2012) - Witold Duński

Entry updated: 02.05.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX


Sergiusz Zahorski died on June 4, 1962 at the age of 76. He was buried in Brompton Cemetery in London


1st Regiment of Light Cavalry of Józef Piłsudski

(mp. Warsaw, amaranth border).

The regiment referred to the tradition of the 1st Light Horse Regiment of the Polish Guard of Emperor Napoleon I and the 1st Uhlan Regiment of the Polish Legions "Belina". It was recreated in November 1918 by officers of the former 1st Light Horse Regiment of the Polish Legions, headed by Capt. Gustaw Orlicz-Dreszer. From 1921, the regiment was stationed in Warsaw near Belweder. It was said to be one of the elite cavalry regiments of the interwar period. It was popularly called the "National Guard", although it never officially received this name.

Rejoice, brave cavalryman,
You have protection at Belweder.

The cavalrymen shake their heads,
They want to be the National Guard.

They shake their asses, they shake their heads,
They want to be the National Guard.

They want to have guardsman manners.
Be Be ery, cavalry.

Always proud of his boss,
This is Piłsudski's cavalryman.

The cavalryman takes the upper hand,
Under the patronage of the Belweder Palace.

In the Belweder Palace, in the quarters
Sleep, brother cavalryman.

And remember, cavalryman,
That you are on guard at Belweder.

From the parade and the celebration,
For the protection of the President.

They are sitting like this in Warsaw
With a glass and a coffee.

The whole bunch are suckers
In the First Cavalry Regiment.

More gentlemen than suckers,
This is the first cavalry.

Some gentlemen and painters,
This is the first horse regiment.

From aides and doctors
Warsaw has a regiment of brats.

Source: Żurawiejki (1995) – Stanisław Radomyski


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):

"Hippodrome in Łazienki Królewskie" (2023) - Kamil Potrzuski

"Zahorski Sergiusz" (2012) - Witold Duński

"History of horse riding, part VII” (1990) – Witold Domański

"Establishment of the first major equestrian associations and the construction of a stadium in Łazienki" (1981) - Witold Pruski

"50th anniversary of the opening of the equestrian stadium in Łazienki" (1977) - Witold Pruski

"To Mr. Captain Stanisław Olszowski, the Organizing Committee of the International Horse Riding Competitions" (1927)

"Impressions from Pignerolo and Tor di Quinto" (1922) - Sergiusz Zahorski

Photos from the collection of the Museum of Sport and Tourism - Warsaw


Related Legends:

Leon Con

Horse riding trainer, co-founder of the Polish Equestrian Association and its general secretary. Knight of the Cross of Valor and the Silver Cross of Merit.

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Tadeusz Dachowski

The best Polish rider before WWI. Between 1894 and 1914 he won over 300 awards. In 1912-13 he competed in Wielka Pardubice (2x second place - Zeppelin).

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Joseph Trenkwald

Soldier, rider, bronze medalist of the Olympic Games Amsterdam 1928, team eventing, Knight of the Virtuti Militari, Emperor Charles Cross, Cross of Valor.

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Leon Burniewicz

1939nd Vice-Champion of Poland in the Comprehensive Riding Horse Competition. Soldier, Trainer. Activist of the Polish Equestrian Association. Awarded the Medal for the War of XNUMX. Major of the Polish Army.

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Michal Toczek

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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Casimir Gzowski

Rtm. 15th Poznan Lancers Regiment. Silver medalist of the Olympic Games in Amsterdam 1928. in the show jumping competition, on the horse Mylord.

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Roman Abraham

Brig. Gen. Polish army. Heroic defender of Lviv. Commander of the 26th Greater Poland Lancers Regiment and the Greater Poland Cavalry Brigade in the September 1939 campaign.

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Seweryn Kulesza

Major of the Polish Army cavalry, Olympic silver medalist in equestrian (Berlin 1936). Polish Champion in eventing in 1936 and 1937, and in dressage in 1937.

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Janusz Komorowski

Major of the Polish Army, sports equestrian, Olympian from Berlin, medalist of the Polish Championships in eventing. After the war, a horse riding coach in England and Argentina.

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Zdzislaw Dziadulski

Two-time Olympian (IO Paris 1924 – horse 'Zefir', IO Amsterdam 1928 – 'The Lad' – reserve). 7th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen in Biedrusko (Poznań).

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Zdzislaw Kawecki

Silver medalist from the Olympic Games in Berlin (horse 'Bambino'). Knight of the Cross of Valour, Silver Cross of Merit. 7th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen Wlkp.

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Charles Rommel

Soldier, trainer, artist in painting, drawing and horse riding. Three-time Olympian (1912 - Stockholm, 1924 - Paris, 1928 - Amsterdam). He was active in KJK in Łódź (1937) and JLKS Sopot (after the war).

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Gallery:




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.


Below we present the introduction to the first issue of the weekly Jeździec i Hodowca from January 1, 1922:

"By starting this publication, we do so in the belief that Polish sport and breeding have already entered the stage of creation, which requires a comprehensive exchange of ideas, critical illumination, and the establishment of the direction and goal of work, and this mediation must be fulfilled by a special body, the creation of which we are starting with the with all your energy. Although the Polish press, perfectly understanding the role of horse sport, has never spared space for all the symptoms of his life, it is our duty today to recognize the burden of the hospitable press, which faces the entire immeasurable area of ​​state life.

Our publishing house is a timid, modest and tentative realization of ambitious dreams: by elevating horse sport to the dignity of a life phenomenon that plays an important role in it, and by dispelling the perfunctory, here and there still lingering opinions about the role - "fun" - of sport, to get closer to to Western beliefs in this direction, which placed sport among the most vital educational moments. These most correct beliefs are spread in Western societies through special bodies that enjoy great publishing power. They fulfill their informative, educational and propagating role in an unparalleled way, based on the experienced maturity of the belief that in the life of every nation, sport of any kind is not only a co-creative moment, not only a practical school of character, not only a high-ranking virtue, but that it is at the same time, one of the components of powerful social forces.

This is not the place to argue for the important role of sport; fortunately, the belief in this importance is becoming more and more widespread and the understanding of the historical role of the Olympic field and stadium arena is becoming more and more profound. The Olympic victor's wreath is one of the most noble and radiant symbols of human glory. The long educational work of special magazines among Western societies has had its effect; Our publishing house, dreaming of such great results, will try to do the same with noble persistence, according to its strength and resources. Often, enthusiasm and energy will have to replace resources, which will not obscure the clarity of our intentions. We are all in a period of hectic construction and foundation laying. And we are laying foundations on which a building may one day be built. We sow the first seed in the field we love with all our hearts. Maybe one day it will produce a rich harvest.

Our modest intentions to serve in every possible way in the field to which this magazine will be devoted, still have in mind a living, contemporary and brilliant example: here is our previous work in the field of sports and breeding, scattered by the war, almost killed, trampled to the ground by the war storm. — she came back to life. Not by a miracle - but by an effort of will. A handful of people who understood that what they do, they do not for public fun, but for the benefit of the Homeland, convinced of the social value of their work, unearthed this work from the ruins, brought it to light and illuminated it. Thanks to this tireless effort, the Polish State is assured of one department of the national economy, standing on the European high: the horse breeding department.

We will devote our writing to the life of this noblest creature, this most faithful companion in Poland's war and misfortune, to his works and triumphs; a soldier's comrade from Sammossiery, Krechowiec, a participant of the heroic August days, is worthy of more than just a few praises and rhymes. He deserves a painstaking and urgent chronicle, like a patient farm register, which will be a collective document of experiences to be used by everyone who understands the role of the horse in the national farm. Breeding a Polish horse is one of the national commandments. The splendor of its history and, more importantly, the splendor of its future, will be the primary concern of all the words that will appear on these pages."

Author: Editorial team of the weekly Jeździec i Hodowca.

All issues of Rider and Breeder have been digitized in cooperation with the Polish Horse Breeders' Association, BoberTeam, the Silesian Digital Library and the Cieszyn Library. Currently, the entire series is also in development by Polish Digital Equestrian Library.

Entry updated: 22.05.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX


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):

"Only those who were afflicted with a severe madness of love for horses, part 1, could do it" (2023) – Maria Serdyńska

"Bibliography of the content of the weekly Jeździec i Hodowca" (1958) - Unrug W., Uznański J.

Rider and Breeder - magazine (1922-1939)

"New racetrack in Służewiec" (1939) - Zygmunt Plater-Zyberk

"1938th anniversary of the Polish Equestrian Championship" (XNUMX)

"On Lady Wentworth's Book" (1938) - Roman Potocki

"Honorary Riding Badge" (1936)

Rider and Breeder (1934) No. 30 – Breeding of Anglo-Arabian horses

Rider and Breeder (1934) No. 12 - Horse Sport

"Forgotten hippological works of Emir Rzewuski" (1934) - Józef Mencel

"Anglo-Arabs in Antoniny" (1934) - Józef Potocki

"Expose of the President of the Polish Equestrian Association" (1933)

Rider and Breeder (1933) No. 33 – Arabian Horses

Rider and Breeder (1933) No. 30 - Feast of the Polish Cavalry

Rider and Breeder (1933) No. 19 – Thoroughbreds

Rider and Breeder (1933) No. 10 - Cavalry

"Emir Rzewuski" (1933) - Witold Pruski

"Lt. Col. Karol bar. "Rómmel as a jubilee" (1932)

"Polish Equestrian Association" (1929) - Tadeusz Machalski

Rider and Breeder (1929) No. 9 - Fryderyk Jurjewicz

"Arab Breeding in Great Britain" (1929) - Józef Potocki

"Polish Riding Association in Warsaw" (1928) - T. Machalski

"Voices of the American press about Polish triumphs..." (1926)

"Competitions in Nice" (1925)


Related Legends:

Leon Con

Horse riding trainer, co-founder of the Polish Equestrian Association and its general secretary. Knight of the Cross of Valor and the Silver Cross of Merit.

Read more…

Tadeusz Dachowski

The best Polish rider before WWI. Between 1894 and 1914 he won over 300 awards. In 1912-13 he competed in Wielka Pardubice (2x second place - Zeppelin).

Read more…

Joseph Trenkwald

Soldier, rider, bronze medalist of the Olympic Games Amsterdam 1928, team eventing, Knight of the Virtuti Militari, Emperor Charles Cross, Cross of Valor.

Read more…

Leon Burniewicz

1939nd Vice-Champion of Poland in the Comprehensive Riding Horse Competition. Soldier, Trainer. Activist of the Polish Equestrian Association. Awarded the Medal for the War of XNUMX. Major of the Polish Army.

Read more…

Jerzy Grabowski

Rider, breeder, director of the Stallion Stud in Kwidzyn, trainer of the Polish team in eventing at the Olympic Games in Munich 1972.

Read more…

Jan Grabowski

Hipologist and scientist. Author of many works related to horse breeding and equestrian sport, e.g. acclaimed album "Hipology for All".  

Read more…

Stanislaw Schuch

Polish hipologist, great exterierist and organizer of horse races. Co-founder of horse breeding in Poland after World War I and II. With W. Pruski and J. Grabowski, he wrote the second volume of the textbook entitled "Horse breeding".

Read more…

Michal Toczek

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.),

Read more…

Casimir Gzowski

Rtm. 15th Poznan Lancers Regiment. Silver medalist of the Olympic Games in Amsterdam 1928. in the show jumping competition, on the horse Mylord.

Read more…

Waclaw Rzewuski

Romantic, horse breeder, Crown Field Hetman. A descendant of the oldest and most powerful families of the Commonwealth. "Goldbeard Emir".

Read more…

Roman Abraham

Brig. Gen. Polish army. Heroic defender of Lviv. Commander of the 26th Greater Poland Lancers Regiment and the Greater Poland Cavalry Brigade in the September 1939 campaign.

Read more…

Seweryn Kulesza

Major of the Polish Army cavalry, Olympic silver medalist in equestrian (Berlin 1936). Polish Champion in eventing in 1936 and 1937, and in dressage in 1937.

Read more…

Janusz Komorowski

Major of the Polish Army, sports equestrian, Olympian from Berlin, medalist of the Polish Championships in eventing. After the war, a horse riding coach in England and Argentina.

Read more…

Zdzislaw Dziadulski

Two-time Olympian (IO Paris 1924 – horse 'Zefir', IO Amsterdam 1928 – 'The Lad' – reserve). 7th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen in Biedrusko (Poznań).

Read more…

Zdzislaw Kawecki

Silver medalist from the Olympic Games in Berlin (horse 'Bambino'). Knight of the Cross of Valour, Silver Cross of Merit. 7th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen Wlkp.

Read more…

Paul Popiel

Polish hipologist, writer, landowner. At the age of 60, he became famous as a "traveler on horseback through Poland", which he described in his reports.

Read more…

Zygmunt Plater-Zyberk

Architect. A graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology (1927). Author of, among others, the Służewiec Horse Racing Track.

Read more…

John Ritz

On December 18.12.1817, 154, he marched XNUMX horses from Moscow to Janów Podlaski. The first organizer of SK in Janów Podlaski.

Read more…

Charles Rommel

Soldier, trainer, artist in painting, drawing and horse riding. Three-time Olympian (1912 - Stockholm, 1924 - Paris, 1928 - Amsterdam). He was active in KJK in Łódź (1937) and JLKS Sopot (after the war).

Read more…

Henryk Wozniakowski

Thoroughbred horse breeder in Stud Widzów. The best horses bred by him are the stallion Casanova, the mare Bastylia and the stallion Bałtyk. Painter.

Read more…


Gallery:




In Gustav Rau's opinion: “an elegant horse with long lines. Fluid and flexible movements. In the field, Bambino gallops with a long, stretched neck and a springy back."
______________________________________________________________

Bambino, ridden by Capt. Kawecki, he completely fulfilled his task at the Olympics. He finished the dressage test individually in 15th place, in the steeplechase race. He scored 18 positive points, in the cross-country race he lost 160 points in accidents on the route, but by galloping energetically and persistently in this difficult course, he made up for 9 bonus points for the extra time. A well-known accident on the competition track, which served as a reason for a protest from the Czechoslovak team leader, resulted in Bambino being omitted from the official final standings.

This moment is irrelevant for the assessment of Bambino's sports performance at the Olympic Games. It in no way diminishes the fact that the horse of our breeding passed all the tough tests. That he was ready for further, new actions at any time, that he was always fresh, full of energy, courage and loyalty to his rider.

Therefore, when writing about Bambino, I do it with great respect for this 7-year-old horse, which, having been taken on for more serious work in the fall of 1934, managed to mature through 2 years of preparation for such a serious task as participation in the World Championship competition.

Bambino, born in 1929 in the flock of Mr. Si's Łańcuch family. Eng. Steckiego in Lubelskie, was purchased for renovation in 1932 for PLN 1955. At the renovation exhibition, Bambino received the first prize in the amount of PLN 575, and a silver medal among 5 awarded horses bred by Eng. Stecki. He joined his current rider, Captain Kawecki, in September 1934. Until then, he was at the Riding School of the Cavalry Training Center in Grudziądz, as a trainee - initially at the non-commissioned riders' course, then in the officer's class.

(...)

Bambino, originally bred to be a stallion, was, as I wrote, sold for renovation. He represents the old, pre-war, excellent half-breed Lublin breeding farm - perfect both on paper and in proof of his outstanding prowess. Bambina's sports career includes the following successes:

In 1935 - 1936rd place in the Pom dressage competition. T-wa Zach, to Hod. Horses, 1935th place in the dressage competition in Warsaw. In XNUMX - XNUMXst place in the Opening Competition in Gniezno, XNUMXth place (shared) in the Opening Competition in Baranowicze, XNUMXth place in the Comprehensive Riding Horse Test in Warsaw and XNUMXst place in the Opening Competition in Tarnopol. In addition, Bambino won several honorary ribbons in various competitions. It should be emphasized that in XNUMX, Bambino passed the dog hunting season in Łańcut in good shape.

Author: Editorial team of the magazine Rider and Breeder
"Horses at the 1936 Olympics - Bambino" (1936)

Below you will find links to related materials in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library.

Entry updated: 08.04.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX


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):

"Polish Olympic riders of the interwar period, part II" (2019) - Hanna Łysakowska

"History of horse riding, part XI” (1992) – Witold Domański

"Die Reitkunst Der Welt an des olympischen spielen 1936" [DE][EN][FR] (1937) - G. Rau

"Polish horse riding in 1936" (1937) - Leon Kon

"Horses at the 1936 Olympics - Bambino" (1936)

"Horse Games of the 1936th Olympiad" (XNUMX) - Leon Kon

"Extraordinary stories of the White and Reds... IO'36 in Berlin" [link]


Related Legends:

TOŚKA (KALINA – OLGA)

He was born as Kaktus in 1920, bred by Stefan Walewski from Inczew, owned by the Polish Army. In 1931 and 1933 he won at Szosland PN in Warsaw. IO Amsterdam 1928, team silver. in jumping. He made one mistake at the Olympics. Rider Capt. K. Szosland – 2 points. penalties, XNUMXth place ind.

Read more…

Zdzislaw Kawecki

Silver medalist from the Olympic Games in Berlin (horse 'Bambino'). Knight of the Cross of Valour, Silver Cross of Merit. 7th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen Wlkp.

Read more…

ARLECIN III (BAFUR - BLACKFISH)

“He overcomes roads and paths with a beautiful, balanced trot (…) There is no sign of fatigue on the horse. An energetically galloped steeple (...) The horse hides space and overcomes obstacles in a wonderful way. "

Dr. Gustaw Rau about Harlequin III

Read more…


Gallery:


Honorary patron: Polish Olympic Committee

Polish Olympic Committee (PKOl) is an autonomous, nationwide association of sports associations and organizations with headquarters in Warsaw (click to go to the Honorary Patron's website). [www.olympijski.pl]

Honorary patron: Polish Equestrian Association

Polish Equestrian Association (PZJ), is the only official Polish equestrian organization recognized by the Polish Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee, which is also one of over 140 national equestrian organizations associated with the FEI – International Federation for Equestrian Sports [www.pzj.pl].



______________________________________________________________
Polish team composed of: Rtm. Z. Kawecki / Bambino; Major S. Kulesza / Tośka; captain H. Roycewicz-Leliwa / Arlekin III – won the team silver medal.
______________________________________________________________

August 1-16: XI Olympic Games. The Games in Berlin break previous records: 4.069 participants from 49 countries. The Polish team consists of 112 people. The Olympic torch brought from Olympia burns for the first time as a symbol of connections with the ancient tradition. During the opening ceremony, Richard Strauss's Olympic anthem is played.

(...)

53 riders from 19 countries, including 17 teams of three, apply for eventing. The Polish team consists of cavalry captains: Henryk Roycewicz on Harlekin III, Zdzisław Kawecki on Bambino and Seweryn Kulesza on Tośka (because Ben Hur lame). After dressage, Roycewicz is thirteenth, Kawecki 15th, Kulesza 26th. The team is in fifth place with a small loss of points, ahead of the dangerous Germany.

(...)

After the cross-country test, G. Rau assessed the riding style of the Poles as follows: Convincing to a large extent, adapted to the horse's movement, very flexible. Thanks to this, we are talking about the full harmony of the rider and the horse, which makes movement and jumping over the obstacle much easier.

(...)

The eventing competition takes place in the main Olympic stadium with 90.000 spectators. The first of ours appears Tośka, the least tired of the team. He finishes the parkour without mistakes and in good time.

(...)

After passing Bambino, we advance to the second place and win the silver medal.

(...)

Read more... (click to go to the Polish Digital Equestrian Library)

Author: Museum of Hunting and Riding - Hanna Łysakowska

Entry updated: 25.10.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX


The composition of the Polish equestrian team at the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936:

Jumping over obstacles (team incomplete)eventing (silver team medal)
for. Janusz Komorowski – Duncan
[36. Indian place]
rtm. Henryk Leliwa-Roycewicz - Harlequin III
[15. Indian place]
for. Michal Gutowski – Warszawianka
[didn't finish]
rtm. Zdzislaw Kawecki - Male child
[18. Indian place]
rtm. Tadeusz Sokolowski – Fugitive II
[didn't finish]
major Seweryn Kulesza - Tośka
[21. Indian place]
second lieutenant Stanislaw Czerniawski (reserve)

The instructor of the group of officers taking part in the Olympics in Berlin was Adam Królikiewicz (jumping) and Leon Kon (eventing). Tadeusz Komorowski was appointed as the team leader.

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):

Publications

"Olympic achievements of Poles in equestrian sports" (2022) - Renata Urban

"Polish Olympic riders of the interwar period, part II" (2019) - Hanna Łysakowska

"Polish Olympic Riders of the Interwar Period, Part I" (2018) - Hanna Łysakowska

"Collection of Olympic medals in the collection of the Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw" (2017) - Editorial team

"About Olympic heroes" (2012) - Marek Szewczyk, Jerzy Fedorski

"Riders-Olympians of the Second Republic" (2012) - Renata Urban

"Olympic Riders" (2000) - Hanna Łysakowska

"History of horse riding, part XI” (1992) – Witold Domański

"Poles in the Nations Cup, 1923-1982" (1982) - Witold Domański

"Berlin Olympics 1936" (1982) – Witold Pruski

"Polish riders at the Olympic Games in 1912—1976" (1980) - Antoni Święciki

"Auf Olympischem Parks" (1976) [DE] - Helmut Lenz

"Polish equestrianism at the Olympic Games in the interwar period" (1972) - Bolesław Skulicz

"Polish riders at the Olympics" (1968) - Witold Domański, Bronisław Skulicz

"Die Reitkunst Der Welt an des olympischen spielen 1936" (1937) [DE]EN][FR] - Gustav Rau

"Olympia 1936 Volume I" (1937) [DE] - Editorial Board

"Polish horse riding in 1936" (1937) - Leon Kon

"Horse Games of the 1936th Olympiad" (XNUMX) - Leon Kon

"Olympic jury d'appel deprived Poland of the silver medal in the Militari competition” (1936)

"Seweryn Roman Kulesza - silver medalist of the Olympic Games Berlin 1936." – Editorial office of the olympic.pl portal

"Zdzisław Kawecki - Gozdawa - silver medalist of the Olympic Games Berlin 1936." – Editorial office of the olympic.pl portal

"Henryk Leliwa-Roycewicz - silver medalist of the Olympic Games Berlin 1936." – Editorial office of the olympic.pl portal

"Hardly won - Olympic silver medal" (1936) - Tadeusz Grabowski

"Olympic jumping competition" (1936) - Tadeusz Grabowski

"Horses at the 1936 Olympics - Harlequin III" (1936)

"Horses at the 1936 Olympics - Bambino" (1936)

"Horses at the 1936 Olympics - Tośka" (1936)

"Riders-Olympians of the Second Polish Republic" [fragments] - Renata Urban

"The last participation of Polish riders in the Berlin Olympics" - Adam Królikiewicz

links

"He fought in the Olympics. As a general he was more successful” [link] (2019)

“Unusual stories of White and Red. Riders - silver medalists in eventing at the Olympic Games '36 in Berlin" [link] (2019)

"Berlin 1936, or about the famous Polish Olympic eventing competition" [link] (2012)

Movies

Eventing – Olympics Berlin 1936 (Cross Country) | MOVIE


Related Legends:

Tadeusz Komorowski

Colonel of the Polish Army cavalry. Commander in Chief of the Home Army. Commander of the Warsaw Uprising. Prime Minister of the Polish government in exile.

Read more…

Stanislaw Czerniawski

Cavalry Captain of the Polish Army, Olympian (Berlin 1936), Knight of the Order of Virtuti Militari. He died in defense of Poland on September 10, 1939 near Chruślin.

Read more…


Gallery:


Honorary patron: Polish Olympic Committee

Polish Olympic Committee (PKOl) is an autonomous, nationwide association of sports associations and organizations with headquarters in Warsaw (click to go to the Honorary Patron's website). [www.olympijski.pl]

Honorary patron: Polish Equestrian Association – President Tomasz Sergiej

Polish Equestrian Association (PZJ), is the only official Polish equestrian organization recognized by the Polish Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee, which is also one of over 140 national equestrian organizations associated with the FEI – International Federation for Equestrian Sports [www.pzj.pl].

Patron: Support our project, become a Patron of the Legend of Seweryn Kulesza.

Guardians: The Metropolitan Archbishop of Bialystok, Dr. Józef Guzdek

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Bialystok, Dr. Józef Guzdek (Field Bishop of the Polish Army 2010-2021) (visit the Honorary Patron's website).



Major of the Polish Army, cavalryman and one of the most talented Polish riders of the 1936s, Olympic silver medalist in the team eventing competition in Berlin (XNUMX).

______________________________________________________________

Born on October 23, 1900 in Radom.

Son of Antoni Franciszek (an accountant in a local factory) and Maria née Grzywacz.

Due to the war, he took his secondary school-leaving examination (8-grade program) in installments: part in the Warsaw Gimnazjum im. M. Reja (February 25, 1919) and the (final) part before the Committee of the Ministry of WRiOP in the capital (February 25, 1920).

He joined the Polish Army (December 9, 1918) and fought for several months in the composition of the 1st Krechowice Lancers (Gródek Jagielloński). (1921) and lieutenant (1921) served in the 10th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen.

His further military career is related to: a horse riding instructor course at the Cavalry Training Center in Grudziądz (1930-1931), the function of an officer class instructor of this training facility (since 1932) and a squadron commander in the 7th Regiment. (since 1937). Kulesza hit it well. His superiors were great horsemen. He had an excellent opinion with them. The commander of the CWK Horse Riding School, Adam Królikiewicz, and the chief horse riding inspector, Major Antoniewicz, had no words of appreciation for him. An outstanding officer, an outstanding rider, a very good instructor, promises even greater hopes, very ambitious, dutiful, loyal - they wrote in their opinions.

Read more in PCBJ (click to go to the Polish Digital Equestrian Library) and/ or on the PKOL website (click to go to the Olimp.pl website).

Author Polish Olympic Committee – olympic.pl

Entry updated: 14.05.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX


Seweryn Kulesza died in Los Angeles on May 14, 1983, aged 83.


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):

“Unusual stories of White and Red. Riders - silver medalists in eventing at the Olympic Games '36 in Berlin" [link] (2019)

"Polish Olympic riders of the interwar period, part II" (2019) - Hanna Łysakowska

"Polish Olympic riders of the interwar period, part I" (2018) - Hanna Łysakowska

"Berlin 1936, or about the famous Polish Olympic eventing competition" [link] (2012)

"Seweryn Kulesza" (2012) - Witold Duński

"Riders-Olympians of the Second Republic" (2012) - Renata Urban

"Riders-Olympians of the Second Polish Republic" [fragments] - Renata Urban

"Olympic Riders" (2000) - Hanna Łysakowska

"History of horse riding, part XII” (1992) – Witold Domański

"History of horse riding, part XI” (1992) – Witold Domański

"Poles in the Nations Cup, 1923-1982" (1982) - Witold Domański

"Berlin Olympics 1936" (1982) – Witold Pruski

"Equestrian sport in the horse weapons of the Second Polish Republic" (1974) - Zygmunt Bielecki

"Polish horse riding in 1936" (1937) - Leon Kon

"Die Reitkunst Der Welt an des olympischen spielen 1936" [DE][EN][FR] (1937) - G. Rau

"Horse Games of the 1936th Olympiad" (XNUMX) - Leon Kon

"Horses at the 1936 Olympics - Tośka" (1936)

"The Olympic jury took away the silver medal from Poland in the Militari competition" (1936)

"Seweryn Roman Kulesza - silver medalist of the Olympic Games Berlin 1936." – Editorial office of the olympic.pl portal

"Hardly won - Olympic silver medal" (1936) - Tadeusz Grabowski

"International horse competition in Riga" (1936) - Adam Królikiewicz

"In defense of the horse riding system we have chosen" (1932) - Michał Woysym-Antoniewicz, Józef Trenkwald


Related Legends:

Tadeusz Komorowski

Colonel of the Polish Army cavalry. Commander in Chief of the Home Army. Commander of the Warsaw Uprising. Prime Minister of the Polish government in exile.

Read more…

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.

Read more…

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.

Read more…

TOŚKA (KALINA – OLGA)

He was born as Kaktus in 1920, bred by Stefan Walewski from Inczew, owned by the Polish Army. In 1931 and 1933 he won at Szosland PN in Warsaw. IO Amsterdam 1928, team silver. in jumping. He made one mistake at the Olympics. Rider Capt. K. Szosland – 2 points. penalties, XNUMXth place ind.

Read more…

Leon Con

Horse riding trainer, co-founder of the Polish Equestrian Association and its general secretary. Knight of the Cross of Valor and the Silver Cross of Merit.

Read more…

Cavalry Training Center

The cavalry training center of the Polish Army of the Second Republic of Poland in 1928-1939 in the Grudziądz garrison. It was the largest military training unit of this type in Europe. 

Read more…


Gallery:




Soldier, rider, silver medalist of the Berlin Olympics 1936 – eventing, trainer. Participant of the Warsaw Uprising. Commander of the Kiliński battalion, winner of the PAST.

Prudential, Prudential, PASTa - what do these names have in common with Colonel Henryk Leliwa-Roycewicz? It combines character, legend and symbolism, just as he contributed to the legend of Polish equestrianism as an outstanding rider and Olympian, it was under his command that strategic buildings were captured in the first days of the Warsaw Uprising, such as the Prudentail skyscraper, the Main Post Office, or during the uprising symbol of Fighting Poland - PASTa building.

– “Nowadays it is also worth being heroic, you can achieve a lot, but you can also be cautious. That is why the educational and financial project People with Character draws on tradition, transferring values ​​such as foresight, property protection and succession to modernity. Traditions oblige, but it's always better to be insured than not to be ..." - says Jakub Czekaj, a volunteer cavalry captain, a partner of the People with Character program, whose grandparents (Matylda née Sapieha and Juliusz Osterwa) had an apartment in the Prudentiala skyscraper, lost forever in 1939. 

***

Henryk Leliwa-Roycewicz was born on July 30, 1898 in Janopol.

Twice Knight of the Order of Virtuti Militari, three times Knight of the Cross of Valor, Cross of the Home Army, Medal for the War 1918-1921, Medal of the Decade of Regaining Independence, Uprising Cross.

Silver medalist of the Olympic Games in Berlin in the Versatile Riding Horse Competition.

sports results:

OLYMPIC GAMES

Versatile Riding Horse Competition:
Berlin 1 – August 16, 1936 – team silver medal on Harlekin III, together with Captain Zdzisław Kawecki on Bambino, Captain Seweryn Kulesza on Tośka. Fifteenth individually.

POLISH CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dressage:
Warsaw, September 30 - October 2, 1932, bronze on Tulips.
Warsaw, September 29 - October 1, 1933 - silver on Tulip.
Warsaw, September 30, 1935, silver medal on Tulip.
Bydgoszcz, October 6-7, 1938 - silver medal at Typhoon.

Obstacle Jumping:
Warsaw, October 3-5, 1931 - silver medal on The Hoop.

eventing:
Warsaw, June 8-10, 1933, silver medal at Twostep.
Warsaw, June 7-9, 1934, gold medal at Wisła IV.
Warsaw, October 2-4, 1935, bronze medal on Tulip.
Warsaw, June 4-6, 1936, silver medal on Harlekin III.

1935 rtm. Roycewicz, after winning an individual Army Champion as one of the prizes, was able to choose a horse for himself and purchase it at the expense of the Ministry of Military Affairs. He saw Harlequin III during a par force hunt in Łańcut at Count. Potocki. The horse was tough, disobedient and a lot of trouble - the perfect fighter/eventer horse.

August 1-16.08.1936, 4069 - XI Olympic Games in Berlin. 49 participants from 112 countries. The Polish team consists of 8 people. The Olympic flame brought from Olympia burns for the first time. According to Hitler's order, the Olympics were to be a demonstration of the impeccable organization and power of the Third Reich. It was a show of power, but the organization left much to be desired. Schemes and frauds of the German organizers probably deprived the Polish team of the gold medal. The 35-kilometre course contains 200 obstacles, the competition was watched by about 000 spectators. There was a water obstacle on the route. A murky, muddy, duckweed-covered deep pond that could be safely traversed by one route known only to German racers. Of the 46 riders who reached this obstacle, 32 had a fall. Harlequin III was stopped by the judges in the cross-country test before obstacle 20. He was informed that he had made a mistake on the course. He returned 2,5 km and then found out that there had been a mistake. Thus, the 8 km route was extended by 5 km. Before jumping, Harlequin felt the effort of the previous day. In total, the pair of Henryk Leliwa-Roycewicz and Harlequin III took 15th place and the Polish team wins the silver medal.

In the bulletin of the Union of Cavalry and Horse Artillery in North America No. 54 of July 1989, Henryk Leliwa-Roycewicz describes his participation in the Olympic Games: “The Germans, however, want to win. However, their situation is difficult because their rider has to jump with his arm in a sling. He does it in front of me. The horse is sharp, he can't hold it. Finally, on one of the obstacles, he collapses to the ground. He lies helpless under the poles. People run up, pick him up and put him on the saddle. For this help, for crossing the line, he was disqualified. The gold medal, however, was more important than the law."

On September 01.09.1939, XNUMX, Germany attacked Poland. Squadrons of Heinkels and Junkers bombed Warsaw and the Cavalry Reserve Center in Garwolin. Within a dozen or so minutes, the fire consumed all sports achievements of our Olympians - equipment, trophies and cups. Dozens of the best Polish sports horses stationed there were injured. Adam Królikiewicz and Kazimierz Szosland were tasked with transporting the best Olympians from Grudziądz to Sarny. Another attack by German bombers took place near Mount Kalwaria. Captain Królikiewicz had to finish off the dying Harlequin III.

27.09.1939 Captain Henryk Roycewicz was seriously wounded in combat with German troops. He hid his officer rank, which allowed him to avoid death at the hands of the NKVD. He lived in Warsaw from 1941. He was active in the ZWZ - AK, where he was a weapons officer in the fourth AK region (Warsaw-Śródmieście). In October 1943, he was appointed commander of the Kiliński Battalion and promoted to the rank of major. In the Warsaw Uprising, he commanded the battalion that captured the PAST building. At the end of 1944, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and then colonel.

Like many Home Army soldiers and Warsaw insurgents, he did not escape post-war persecution. He was sentenced for alleged subversive activity and willingness to change the system of the Polish State, to 6 years in prison, 4 years of deprivation of public rights and civic honorary rights, and forfeiture of all property. On February 22, 1957, Col. Henryk Leliwa-Roycewicz was acquitted of the alleged acts.

Years later, he returned to horse riding. First, he ran the Equestrian Club at the Horse Racing Track in Warsaw. Then he trained riders in the equestrian section of the "Legia" club in Stara Miłosna.

He established the Community Commission of Soldiers of the AK Battalion Kiliński. In 1975 he became a co-founder of the Ministry of Veterans of Cavalry and Horse Artillery.

Entry updated: 09.08.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX


Henryk Leliwa-Roycewicz died in Warsaw on June 18, 1990, aged 92. He was buried in Warsaw's Powązki Cemetery in the quarters of the Kiliński Battalion next to his wife, Luta, a liaison officer (quarters B24-3-10a).


25th Greater Poland Uhlan Regiment (Prużana MP, scarlet ring)

The regiment was formed in July 1920 as the 115th Uhlan Regiment (volunteer) from the regimental surpluses remaining after the organization in Greater Poland of the 1st Greater Poland Uhlan Regiment (later the 15th Poznań Uhlan Regiment) and the 2nd Greater Poland Uhlan Regiment (later the 16th Greater Poland Uhlan Regiment) and from the marching squadron of the 2nd Mounted Rifle Regiment - hence the name "Wielkopolska Ulans". At the beginning of hostilities in 1920, the 115th Uhlan Regiment had 450 sabers, and after the fighting during the Korosten concentration camp (in early October of that year) - only 250 sabres. It suffered heavy losses in these battles and was then considered a "small" regiment, as mentioned in one of the cranes. Until 1921, the regiment was stationed in Gniezno, and then was transferred to fight Bolshevik bands in Worończa and nearby villages (Czombrów, Nieżmanów, Morozowicze, Daszkowicze, Mikiewicze) in Nowo-Gródczyżno (near Lake Świteź). The regiment's command was located in Nowogródek.

Formerly it was a combat regiment,
Today it is ruled by white-headed people.

He is named Greater Poland,
And in Pruzhany he repents.

They were called Greater Poland,
They were sent to Polesie.

Half red and half white,
The number is large and the regiment is small.

He wiped all the corners,
The famous twenty-fifth regiment.

In Vilnius, lords are appointed.
And in Pruzhany he repents.

Poleszuki. guys, gentlemen.
Pruzhany's are ulan.


Source: Żurawiejki (1995) – Stanisław Radomyski


Publications in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library:

Click on the links below to go to related materials in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library:

"Henryk Leliwa-Roycewicz. A champion in sport and in combat” [link] (2021) – Athletes for independence

"Captain Leliwa-Roycewicz - the commander who gave the signal for the Warsaw Uprising" (2019) - Zbigniew Chmielewski

“Unusual stories of White and Red. Riders - silver medalists in eventing at the Olympic Games '36 in Berlin" [link] (2019)

"Olympians - August 1, 1944" (2019) - Zbigniew Chmielewski

"Polish Olympic riders of the interwar period, part II" (2019) - Hanna Łysakowska

"Polish Olympic riders of the interwar period, part I" (2018) - Hanna Łysakowska

"Harlequin III, probably the last picture" (2016) - Robert Woronowicz

"Lancemen, Uhlans and Mounted Riflemen in the Photography of Narcissus Witczak-Witaczyński" (2013) – Stanisław Zieliński, Leszek Nagórny

"Berlin 1936, or about the famous Polish Olympic eventing competition" [link] (2012)

"Riders-Olympians of the Second Republic" (2012) - Renata Urban

"Olympic Riders" (2000) - Hanna Łysakowska

"25th Greater Poland Uhlan Regiment" (1996) – Lesław Kukawski [0872]

"Cranes" (1995) - Stanisław Radomyski

"History of horse riding, part XIV” (1993) – Witold Domański

"History of horse riding, part XI” (1992) – Witold Domański

"History of horse riding, part X” (1992) – Witold Domański

"Excerpts from Krystyna Rudowska's interview with Col. Roycewicz” (1990) – Krystyna Rudowska

"For the funeral of Henryk Leliwa-Roycewicz" (1990) - Antoni Bieniaszewski

"Biography of Henryk Leliwa-Roycewicz" (1989) - Krystyna Rudowska

"Poles in the Nations Cup, 1923-1982" (1982) - Witold Domański

"Berlin Olympics 1936" (1982) – Witold Pruski

"Harlequin and the Olympics in Berlin" (1980) - Henryk Leliwa Roycewicz

"Equestrian sport in the horse weapons of the Second Polish Republic" (1974) - Zygmunt Bielecki

"Book of Polish Riding" (1938) - Collective work

"Polish horse riding in 1936" (1937) - Leon Kon

"Die Reitkunst Der Welt an des olympischen spielen 1936" [DE][EN][FR] (1937) - G. Rau

"Horse Games of the 1936th Olympiad" (XNUMX) - Leon Kon

"The Olympic jury took away the silver medal from Poland in the Militari competition" (1936)

"Hardly won - Olympic silver medal" (1936) - Tadeusz Grabowski

"Horses at the 1936 Olympics - Harlequin III" (1936)


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Gallery: