Gottlieb Polak
Encyclopedia
Gottlieb Polak was Chief Rider and Riding Master of the Spanish Riding School
in Vienna
during the 1930s, serving until his death in 1942.
Polak was a multitalented individual who played the violin
as well as being an extremely talented rider
, described as having a gift for working with horse
s that occurs only rarely throughout history.
Polak was born in Kladruby nad Labem
. He was the son of an employee (Hofgestütsbeamter) of the Kladrub Court stud, and developed a great fondness for horses from an early age. As a young man, his love for horses was so great that he dropped out of the Music Academy in Prague after a year and in 1900 he became a pupil at the Kladruber Stables. In 1902, he entered the Imperial "Marstall" in Vienna. After military service with the 11th Lancers in Pardubice
from 1904 to 1907, he then was transferred, in 1908, to the Campaign Riding School
(Hofstallungen) in Vienna, where he served Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
as one of his many duties.
Even in his twenties, Polak already showed extraordinary riding talent. In 1917, he was admitted to the Spanish Riding School as a student (Reitskolar). In 1920 he was promoted to the rank of Rider (Bereiter), then in 1927 to Chief Rider (Oberbereiter) and in 1941, replacing Wenzel Zrust, to First Chief Rider (Erster Oberbereiter). His work was further recognized the school by his promotion to Riding Master (Reitmeister). He was the first person to serve in this newly created position.
Polak's outstanding dressage
skills were honored with the award of the German Riding Badge in Gold and the Swedish Order of Vasa
. His most famous student was Alois Podhajsky
, who later became Director of the school. Podhajsky trained at the Riding School before he participated in Dressage
at the 1936 Olympic Games
in Berlin.
On May 10, 1942, Polak was beginning a public performance on his young stallion Pluto Theodorosta, but fell from the horse, unconscious, after only a few strides, possibly due to a heart attack. He died a month later, on July 5.
Spanish Riding School
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, is a traditional riding school for Lipizzan horses, which perform in the Winter Riding School in the Hofburg...
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
during the 1930s, serving until his death in 1942.
Polak was a multitalented individual who played the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
as well as being an extremely talented rider
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
, described as having a gift for working with horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s that occurs only rarely throughout history.
Polak was born in Kladruby nad Labem
Kladruby nad Labem
Kladruby nad Labem is a village and municipality in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic, located abot 6 km northwest of Přelouč or 22 km west of Pardubice...
. He was the son of an employee (Hofgestütsbeamter) of the Kladrub Court stud, and developed a great fondness for horses from an early age. As a young man, his love for horses was so great that he dropped out of the Music Academy in Prague after a year and in 1900 he became a pupil at the Kladruber Stables. In 1902, he entered the Imperial "Marstall" in Vienna. After military service with the 11th Lancers in Pardubice
Pardubice
Pardubice is the capital city of the Pardubice Region and lies on the river Elbe, 65 miles east of Prague. Pardubice has an antique centre square and old town, with many restaurants that stay open until late in the evening. There is an old Tower and a recently renovated Castle...
from 1904 to 1907, he then was transferred, in 1908, to the Campaign Riding School
Hofburg Imperial Palace
Hofburg Palace is a palace located in Vienna, Austria, that has housed some of the most powerful people in Austrian history, including the Habsburg dynasty, rulers of the Austro-Hungarian empire. It currently serves as the official residence of the President of Austria...
(Hofstallungen) in Vienna, where he served Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Franz Ferdinand was an Archduke of Austria-Este, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Prince of Hungary and of Bohemia, and from 1889 until his death, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination in Sarajevo precipitated Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia...
as one of his many duties.
Even in his twenties, Polak already showed extraordinary riding talent. In 1917, he was admitted to the Spanish Riding School as a student (Reitskolar). In 1920 he was promoted to the rank of Rider (Bereiter), then in 1927 to Chief Rider (Oberbereiter) and in 1941, replacing Wenzel Zrust, to First Chief Rider (Erster Oberbereiter). His work was further recognized the school by his promotion to Riding Master (Reitmeister). He was the first person to serve in this newly created position.
Polak's outstanding dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
skills were honored with the award of the German Riding Badge in Gold and the Swedish Order of Vasa
Order of Vasa
The Royal Order of Vasa was a Swedish Royal order of chivalry, awarded to citizens of Sweden for service to state and society especially in the fields of agriculture, mining and commerce. It was instituted on 29 May 1772 by King Gustav III of Sweden...
. His most famous student was Alois Podhajsky
Alois Podhajsky
Colonel Alois Podhajsky was the director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria as well as an Olympic medal-winner in dressage, riding instructor, and writer.-Career:...
, who later became Director of the school. Podhajsky trained at the Riding School before he participated in Dressage
Equestrian at the Summer Olympics
Equestrianism made its Summer Olympics debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It disappeared until 1912, but has appeared at every Summer Olympic Games since. The current Olympic equestrian disciplines are Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping...
at the 1936 Olympic Games
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
in Berlin.
On May 10, 1942, Polak was beginning a public performance on his young stallion Pluto Theodorosta, but fell from the horse, unconscious, after only a few strides, possibly due to a heart attack. He died a month later, on July 5.