Montag, 28. September 2009

Somosierra: the Charge of the Polish Light Horse




One of the legends that have come out of the Napoleonic Wars is the charge of the Polish Light Horse Regiment of the Imperial Guard at Somosierra, Spain on 30 November 1808. The affair in itself was relatively insignificant and would be forgotten by most, except for the valor of the troops involved.
In 1808, despite the efforts of some of his best Marshals, the war in Spain was not going as Napoleon envisioned. The ragtag Spanish army was holding on throughout the country, cities were in open insurrection, Napoleon's brother Joseph whom he had hoped to place on the Spanish throne had to evacuate the capital, and a French army had been forced to surrender at Baylen. By the fall, Napoleon decided to intervene personally and settle the matter once and for all. Moving swiftly, the Emperor, were almost at the gates of Madrid by November 30. All he had to do was to move through the Sierra de Guadarrama, a mountain range between 1,500 and 2,000 meters high and Madrid would be his!
The main north-south road from Burgos to Madrid went through the Somosierra Pass, which was about 1400 meters high. The narrow road wound for three kilometers from the northern plains to the top of the pass. It crossed numerous small streams and but a relatively gentle climb.
A reconnaissance by Major Lejeune revealed the pass was held in depth and a Spanish prisoner-of-war stated that the pass was defended by 9,000 infantry and 16 artillery pieces.
The Emperor ordered General Montbrun and Colonel Pire, Berthier's aide-de-camp, to charge with the 80 Polish light horsemen who formed his duty escort. This charge was stopped almost immediately. When Colonel Pire informed Napoleon that it was impossible to take the pass with cavalry, Napoleon exploded and "...violently striking the pommel of his saddle he exclaimed: 'How, impossible? I do not know the word! There should not be anything impossible for my Poles!"
General Walther, the commander of the Guard, advised Napoleon that his infantry was moving up the steep hills on either side of pass, and would soon outflank the Spanish positions. To which Napoleon replied "Impossible! What! My guards stopped by peasants! By armed bands!" He then ordered Philippe de Segur "...Go at once, make my Poles charge, make them take everything, or bring me back prisoners!"

The following is the de Segur's account of the charge:
"...I arrived at the foot of rock under shelter of which the Polish squadron was drawn up alone, in front of the infantry. 'Commandant,' I cried to Korjietulski, 'the Emperor orders us to charge home, and at once!' Upon which Montbrun made an exclamation and a gesture of astonishment without venturing to contradict me; but Pire answered: 'It is impossible!' -- 'The Emperor has been told that,' I retorted, 'and he will not hear of it.' -- 'Very well,' resumed Pire, 'come and see for yourself; the devil in person, pretty well used to fire as he must be, could hardly stand that!' Then to prove the truth of his words, advancing beyond the rock through a hail of bullets which rained down upon our equipments, he pointed out to me the steep slope of the road up to this amphitheatre bristling with rocks, the redoubt of sixteen guns which crowned it, and twenty battalions deployed in such a manner as to converge their front and flank fire on an attack which could only be effected in column and along the road... 'It does not matter,' I exclaimed; 'the Emperor is there and he insists on the thing being settled. Come, Commandant, the hour will be ours, advance by squads, and forward!' ... I had hardly had time to draw my sword from my scabbard, before they had begun their charge in a column... We charged at full speed, I was about ten paces in front with my head bent down, uttering our war cry by way of distracting my attention from the din of the enemy's fire which was all breaking out at once and the infernal hiss of their bullets and grape shot. Reckoning on the rapidity of our impetuous attack, I was hoping that in their astonishment at our audacity the enemy would aim badly; that we should have time to dash into the midst of their guns and bayonets and throw them into disorder. But they aimed only too well! Very soon, in spite of our clamour and the detonation of so many arms, I could distinguish behind me the sound of smart reports followed by groans, with the thud of falling men and horses, which made me foresee defeat. Our warlike cries were becoming lost in the cries of pain of the unfortunate Poles; I did not dare to turn my head, fearing that the sad spectacle would cause me to give up. I knew that I had been struck several times... I was alone within thirty paces of the redoubt. I had outstripped two battalions of the enemy, place obliquely, behind a ravine on our right flank. One officer alone was following me, Rudowski, I believe, a colossus, like most of these picked men. He was still on horseback, but wounded to death, staggering, and on the point of falling off with his face to the enemy. Distance and the rocks prevented my seeing anything more. I made a vain attempt to turn back my horse, which was itself wounded; but the Spaniards advanced to seize me, shouting cries of victory. Then I jumped to the ground trying to collect what strength remained to me. . . Nearly the whole of the squadron was laid low. Out of six other officers, three were either killed outright or mortally wounded... The three others... were wounded. Forty non-commissioned officers and lancers, killed or mortally wounded, were lying on the ground. Twelve others were wounded but less serious; twenty alone had escaped this massacre safe and sound. These had assisted their wounded to retire, so that, over the whole of the remaining ground covered by our charge I only saw one trumpeter left standing, motionless in the midst of the firing which was still going on. The poor child was weeping for his squadron..."
The charge was over in seven minutes and despite the gallantry of the cavalry, the Spanish still held. In a short while, the French infantry had reached the summit of the hills overlooking the pass and outflanked the guns. Napoleon ordered the 1st and 2nd Squadrons of the Polish Light Horse, along with the Chasseurs-a-Cheval of the Guard forward and this time the guns were taken. The pass was in the hands of the French and the way to Madrid was open.
The Emperor was soon at the top of the pass. Seeing Lieutenant Niegolewski laying besides the guns he tried so valiantly to capture, the Emperor pinned his own Legion of Honor on him.
Two days later, Dezydery Chlpowski, a Polish officer assigned to the Emperor's Headquarters passed over the battlefield. "...There were still several bodies of Polish light horsemen in the snow,, which continued to cover the summit of Somosierra. We stopped for half an hour in the village of Somosierra, where we found some severely wounded men who had not yet been transported. They told us about the charge by Dziewanowski's squadron, claiming all the officers and over half the men had been killed... They assumed Lieutenant Niegolewski would also have died, as he had been badly wounded. While we were there, ambulances came to take the rest of the wounded to Madrid. From one of the surgeons I learned that as a reward for the charge of Somosierra the Emperor had promoted the whole Polish Guard regiment to the Old Guard. This meant it had skipped the Middle Guard, as normally a regiment would go from the Young to Middle, and only after another act of heroism should it go to the Old Guard... So the Emperor, who witnessed the charge at Somosierra, must have thought it very fine to promote the regiment straight from Young to Old Guard, and he also ordered the whole Guard to present arms to the squadron as it passed by."
Of the eight officers who charged that day, four were killed or died of their wounds, while the other four were wounded. Despite the pessimism of the wounded soldiers, Niegolewski survived his wounds and was still alive in 1855. De Segur was wounded five times and took six months to recover.


(All paintings in this gallery are by Polish artists.)

Herbstparade at Gestüt Piber

I found these pictures online from the Herbstparade show at Piber on Saturday 26 September. 

http://www.meinbezirk.at/Mattersburg/bez_74/channel_1-13/chsid_3/uid_11426/id_533078/ts_3

Did anyone go to this?  I would have liked to have seen the Braun Pas de Deux

Montag, 21. September 2009

Street Style at Spring 2010 New York Fashion Week




I know this is not actually horse related, but it made me laugh! Hottest street style at Fashion Week in New York City? Riding breeches!!!!

Nuno Oliveira

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfiTTyi2He8 

I know - everyone here knows this link - but now we do have it here on H&D?!

Mittwoch, 16. September 2009

Iranian Horse Breeds

The Asil (Arab)


Referred to in the West as the Arab, the Iranian branch known as the Asil has not only preserved the traditional strain system, ie., Koheilan Hamdani, Obayan, Saglavi, Hadban, etc. , but, has also preserved the original traits that made this breed world-famous. Beauty, Intelligence, and above all courage and stamina, combined with a gentle nature. In structure, more attention is paid to ability than merely it's outward appearance. For the above reasons, there has been considerable Western interest in acquiring Iranian Asil stock. The National Horse Society has as one of its aims the acceleration in the propagation of this breed Two Asil stud books exist.
1. The International: WAHO accepted Asil Stud Book
2. The National Asil Stud Book

The Caspian Pony

An elegant and refined pony, this horse is a miniature Arab of great value for the young in show-jumping and racing. Ancient stone engravings and archeological findings point to the fact that the Caspian pony may in truth be the first horse to be used in the Middle East. This pony has had much success abroad and is now bred in Bermuda, England, and New Zealand.

The Kurd


Like the Asil, in its own habitat, the Kurd is known by different names, depicting differences in breeding and outward appearance, i e., Jaff, Afshar, Sanjabi, etc.. The Jaff, the model of the horse in Persian miniatures, in all probability has Asil blood. In other Kurdish strains, altogether a strong compact horse, there are traces of possible descendance from the Nisaean War Horse, mentioned by Greek historians. Excellent for long distances and mountanous areas, The Kurd also has the ability to carry heavy weight.

The Iranian Thourouhgbred


The breeding of Thouroughbreds in Iran was commenced with high quality stallions and mares. Attention and care in the technical management of their breeding give hope of a promising future. The above can already be observed on the racetrack.






The Turkoman


In accordance with historical fact, archeological findings, and research, the Turkoman is one of the first breeds in Iran to have been developed and bred for use in specific purposes. Primarily used in raids, this horse is slim, tall, and finely built, possessing speed and stamina, making it an ideal horse for the racetrack. Similar to the Asil and the Kurd , the Turkoman also has several branches, the best known the Akhal-Take and the Yamut. A cross with the Western Thoroughbred produces good horses both for the track and for show-jumping.

The Native Iranian Horse


Indigenous to all parts of Iran, the size and build of these horses change in accordance with the area they are bred in, i e. rugged mountainous tribal terrain, or agricultural plains and valleys. Altogether, they are not very large, yet sturdy and strong, as well as sure-footed. For centuries this horse did all the hard menial jobs, used for pulling carts and carrying heavy loads.

Freitag, 11. September 2009

FEI Tribunal Sentence: Isabell Werth Suspended for Six Months

The FEI Tribunal has come to a verdict in the positive doping case of Isabell Werth's Whisper. The sentence is a six month suspension from all competitions. The official sentence started with the provisional suspension on 23rd June 2009 and will last till 22nd December 2009.

The suspension will become active if the rider chooses not to appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Werth has thirty days to appeal. She will also need to pay a penalty of 3,500 Swiss Francs.

"The sentence is as strict as in similar cases. It concerns a doping case and it is logical that we accept this verdict," said Sönke Lauterbach, secretary general of the German Equestrian Federation.

Isabell Werth commented, "I'm happy the verdict is finally there. Now I can look forward to my baby and concentrate on my pregnancy."

On 30th May 2009, Isabell Werth's Hanoverian gelding Whisper tested positive to the doping substance Fluphenazine, which her vet Dr. Stihl had administered to Whisper for his Shivering Syndrome. Werth had a hearing with the FEI Tribunal on 25th June 2009.

The FEI published the following statement:

A panel of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Tribunal has taken its decision in the Equine Anti-Doing and Medication Control Rule case involving the horse Whisper 156 ridden by Isabell Werth (GER). Consistent with the FEI’s strict liability approach to anti-doping rule violations, the panel has found Isabell Werth responsible for the doping of her horse Whisper 156 at CDI 4* Wiesbaden (GER) on 29 May 2009 and has suspended her from FEI competition for a period of six (6) months until 22 December 2009. Isabell Werth is also fined CHF 1,500 and ordered to pay CHF 2,000 to cover the legal costs of the Tribunal proceedings. Isabell Werth has 30 days to appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

Mittwoch, 9. September 2009

Shire Horse




About the Breed

The Shire horse, developed in England, traces it's history to the days of the Roman Conquest and is one of the oldest of the well-defined draft breeds. The name "Shire" also comes from England, and derives its name from the Saxon word "schyran," which means to shear or divide, hence the name "Shire," that is synonymous with county. King Henry VIII first applied the name "Shire" to the horse early in the 16th century.
During the reign of Henry VIII, from 1509 to 1547, special attention was directed to the raising and breeding of strong horses, and several laws were passed with that in mind. Acts were passed in 1535 and 1541 forbidding the use for breeding of horses under 15 hands in height, also prohibiting all exportation, even into Scotland

Shires, in general, were used in the 16th century with paintings dating back to the 15th century that show them in the perfection of form. Without question, the Shire horse was used as a war-horse. Most people believe, and the story is told, that it was the Shire that was used by the knights, as they rode into battle, dressed in heavy armor with sword and lance poised. However, with the passing of the tournament and heavily armored knight, the ancestor of the Shire Horse was put to work in harness pulling carts over rough roads and plows on the farm. The Shire became the largest and most powerful draft horse in Britain. It was, and still is, used by brewers in cities in stylish teams to pull beer wagons, in weight-pulling competition and in plowing competition.

Like the other standard draft breeds, the Shire was improved by the infusion of outside blood at various times in history, notably that of the north German Flemish horses (Belgian) and the horses of Flanders. Reasonably good records exist, dating back nearly 1000 years. During this time outside blood continued to influence the breed as breeders were not hampered by a breed registry and no limits were imposed.


Breed Characteristics

The Shire horse is a draught horse, with powerful and muscular build, a dense rounded body, a broad back, strong loins, powerful hind-quarters, and long legs with dense bones. Shire horses can be black, bay or gray. In the United Kingdom Shire stallions must not be roan or chestnut, although mares and geldings can be roan. In the United States, roaning is considered "undesirable" but chestnut is permitted, though considered rare. The legs should have white stockings or socks (except on gray horses). The hair down the back of the legs is called the "feather", while the hair over the foot is known as the "spats".
Shire horses average around 17.2 hands (178 cm) tall at maturity (measured at the withers, with the breed standard being at least 17 hands, although a Shire horse was recorded reaching over 21.2 hands (220 cm). The girth of a Shire horse varies from 6 feet (1.8 m) to 8 ft (2.4 m). Shire stallions weigh, on average, between 144 st (910 kg; 2,020 lb) and 176 st (1,120 kg; 2,460 lb).
The head should be long and lean, with a Roman nose and widely-spaced eyes. The breed standard specifies that the eyes should be docile in expression, and they are generally brown. The neck should be long and lean, with an arch. This leads to a short, muscular back, with no pronounced dipping or roaching.

Donnerstag, 3. September 2009

Workbooks from the Spanish School




So many of the illustrations in Charles Harris's book make me smile, make me think or just help me understand. I have posted a very few of my favorites. With so many different riders here, I am sure we all have slightly different favorites. If you have some you would like to see, tell me which and I will post them.

Dienstag, 1. September 2009

L.A. County fire - Lipizzan Connection

The present huge fires in the L.A. County near Tujunga (Angeles National Forest) worry me immensely.

The Lipizzan stud of Ingun Littorin  (www.lipizzanconnection.com) is located in the center of the red area....   3275 Stonyvale Road, Tujunga CA. 

Does anyone has more information about the situation overthere, than I can find on the internet??

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/la-county-fire-destroys-74-structures-remains-out-of-control.html

August 31, 2009 |  6:30 pm

The number of structures burned by the Station fire has surged to more than 50 as the out-of-control wildfire pushed west and north, officials say.

More than 30 homes, mountain cabins and other buildings were destroyed when the fire swept through the hamlet of Stonyvale in Tujunga Canyon. Earlier officials had said 21 homes were lost, mostly in remote areas in Tujunga Canyon and south of Acton.

[Updated, 8:20 p.m.: An earlier version of this story said 74 structures had been lost. Fire officials now say the losses stand at more than 50 but that the number may grow as they survey more damage in the canyon.]

The fire showed little sign of slowing down this afternoon as it threatened 12,000 homes in suburban tracts and desert communities, along with a historic observatory and major array of television and radio transmission towers.

“The fire is headed just about anywhere it wants to,” said Mike Dietrich, an incident commander with the Forest Service. “This is a very angry fire. Until we get a change in the weather conditions, I am not overly optimistic.”

Atjan


Update picture: Tujunga and hills by night, Sunday night, August 31th 2009 - Somewhere in this inferno some Lipizzan horses remained....