Alois Podhajsky
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Olympic medal record | |||
| Equestrian | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 1936 Berlin | Dressage individual | |
Alois Podhajsky was entrusted as the director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, in the year 1939. “I was fully conscious that I was undertaking the hardest task of my life. The great difficulty in directing an institute if this kind consists in maintaining the standard at the same high level and preserving the tradition, which plays such an important part at the Spanish Horse Riding School, without making concessions,” said Podhajsky when asked about the school . It is quite evident that the school was in the right hands when given to Podhajsky.
The sport of dressage has linked to the Greeks and Xenophon over 2400 years ago. “The ancient Greeks were the first to practice dressage in preparation for war. It was a culture that believed nothing could be obtained correctly or harmoniously without the strict adherence to the laws of universe. This is what truly defines classical dressage – the horse should submit himself happily and proudly to the will of the rider, without and disturbances in his natural way of going.” For the Greeks, dressage was not a sport, but a war tactic used for protection. The Greeks did not have riding equipment, such as a saddle or stirrups, but only rode bareback with only a bridle and a jointed piece of metal for a bit. This, in turn, gave the Greeks and inconceivable relationship with their horse. When the Romans took over, dressage began to disintegrate. Then during the Renaissance, it began to come back in full swing. “In 1580, the Imperial Austrian Stud began importing Lipizzaners from Spain. From this stock, the Spanish Horse Riding School was developed and finalized by Charles VI in 1735.” This was the beginning of an institution that would change the life of Alois Podhajsky forever.
“In the closing days of World War II, as the guns of the Red army were thundering at the gates of Vienna, Colonel Podhajsky confronted a desperate situation.” Soviet Army was pushing towards Fascist occupied land. With all the bombings, Alois was worried for the safety of his stallions and the school that he had been charged with. “He had managed unobtrusively to smuggle many of his stallions out of the city to a refuge at St. Martin in Innkreis in Upper Austria.” Alois had the stallions safe, but all his Lipizzaner mares were in Czechoslovakia. With the Soviet army moving in and Nazis defending their positions, he feared for their safety also. While at St. Martin, an American officer remembered Alois from the 1936 Olympic Games and told General George Patton of his whereabouts. “Patton and Podhajsky had been old friends; both competed together in equestrian events at the Olympic Games.” When Alois received word that General Patton was present, he arranged a special performance for him. “At its conclusion, the Colonel mounted his favorite stallion, rode alone to the General’s box, saluted with a wave of his gold-cockaded hat, and formally requested Patton to place the school under American military protection. Patton…consulted with Patterson and agreed.” General Patton also agreed to help Podhajsky rescue the mares from Czechoslovakia. Then in the fall of 1955 the Lipizzaners were returned home to Vienna.
One reason the Lipizzaners behaved so well for Podhajsky during the war is his kind, loving nature towards them. When in the stable with his horses, Podhajsky always had sugar and much love to offer. “They like the talk. They are important then, and they know it.” When schooling the horses, he also showed this love. “If success is to be obtained, the highest standard of understanding must be reached between the two living creatures concerned. This is as true for the commanding partner, the rider, as it is for the executing one, the horse.” Alois is the true example of a classical dressage rider and trainer.
Alois was the greatest choice for the Spanish Riding school. With his strong mind, soft heart, and an extra touch of love, there could have been none better. Alois saved the Lipizzaners, with Patton’s help, from becoming a figment of our imagination, for that, all dressage are truly thankful. Alois also kept the sport of dressage alive. “We must live for the school. Offer our lives to it! Then, perhaps, little by little, the light will grow from the tiny candle we keep lit here, and the great art—of the haute école—will not be snuffed out.” This is what all dressage riders are still trying to achieve today.
