Rescue of the Lipizzans: Operation Cowboy

[A.B.]

Known for their classical beauty, intelligence and athleticism, the origin of the Lipizzaners goes back to the village of Lipizza in present day Slovenia, where the court stud was founded in 1580 with Spanish horses imported by Archduke Charles II.

Through the centuries, the descendants of the Lipizzaners were carefully bred from the foundation sires: Pluto (b.1765), Conversano (b.1767), Neapolitano (b.1790), Favory (b.1779), Maestoso (son of a Neapolitaner and Spanish horse) or Siglavy (b.1810). The Lipizzaner is known for its expressive head, a highly set neck, a long and powerful back, and a tail and mane that are thick and fine haired. The foals are born dark, either black or brown, and they acquire their white coloring between the ages of four and 10 years.

The Spanish Riding School of Vien avoided the bombing of the late war period in the picturesque upper Austrian town of St. Martin im Innkreiss (I highly recommend it for a visit), but their breeding stock had been withdrawn to Hostau in Czechoslovakia, in what would become part of the Soviet zone. While the fear that the horses would be slaughtered wholesale for food was in retrospect quite incorrect (although it has been falsely perpetuated in popular culture), there was much justifiable concern as to their welfare in the interim period during the transition from a combat front to a military government--apprehension shared equally by the German Army and the Allies. Moreover, the separation of the breeding stock from the Riding School would have doomed the future of the Lipizzaner school altogether.

Hence Operation Cowboy, led by Col. Charles Hancock Reed of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Group, to rescue, altogether, more than 1,000 stallions from the advancing Soviet Army. The article linked below provides an excellent account of the details of the mutually arranged capture of the horses-as well as some 150 Allied prisoners.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m.../ai_n17177005/



(above and below) General Patton riding Favory Africa, Vien, 1945. Favory Africa was to have been a nazi gift to the Emporer Hirohito.



A Disney film was made of the rescue of the Lipizzan stallions (Miracle of the White Stallions, 1963), but much more accurate accounts can be found at the links above and below. In particular, a memorial has now been established for the soldiers who were killed in the firefight with an SS outfit during the extraction.

http://www.thepraguepost.com/article...ved-horses.php "Belá nad Radbuzou Mayor Libor Picka and a delegation of U.S. military veterans laid the foundation stone April 28 (2006) for a monument to the two U.S. soldiers — Sgt. Owen Sutton and Pvt. Raymond Manz — who were killed outside of the town while trying to save the horses." The Monument was dedicated in September of 2006.



Lipizzans performing for General Patton at St. Martin im Innkreiss, Austria, 1945. Below is Colonel Alois Podhajsky greeting General Patton.

"I ask you, Gen. Patton," said Podhajsky, "and the representatives of the U.S. government to take under your protecting hand this old Austrian Academy, a cultural institution of the noble art of riding, unique in Europe and perhaps unique in the world. This school demonstrates the development of culture of the 16th century and it represents the era of the Baroque almost intact."

Patton nodded and replied, "Magnificent! These horses will be wards of the U.S. Army until they can be returned to the new Austria." In appreciation, Podhajsky, and the other riders slowly raised their hats in salute. The white Lipizzaner stallions stood at attention.



Colonel Podhajsky with General Patton (St. Martin im Innkreiss, 1945).

"It struck me as rather strange that, in the midst of a world at war, some 20 young and middle-aged men in great physical condition, together with about 30 grooms, had spent their entire time teaching a group of horses to wriggle their butts and raise their feet in consonance with certain signals from the heels and reins. Much as I like horses, this seemed to me wasted energy. On the other hand, it is probably wrong to permit any highly developed art, no matter how fatuous, to perish from the earth-and which arts are fatuous depends on the point of view." (General George S. Patton, Diary)

The Spanish Riding School, today (in English): http://www.srs.at/index.php?id=265


Favory Plutona (b.2006)


2nd ACR "Always Ready"

[Rich-D]

An excellent contribution of an interesting breed of horse that survived the ravishes of war!

[EnglishCat]

Magnificent example of a horse! So precise, so steady and beautiful. Very interesting A.B. and informational. The pictures bring back visions of the movie Patton where there was a scene towards the end where George C Scott as General Patton was riding one of these beauties.

[Beth]

Beautiful creatures! Thank You A.B.

Beth

[A.B.]

You're most welcome. Interestingly, the first two women riders were accepted a year ago.

The ticket to see them train in Vien is a good one to get, if anyone makes it over. Or you can get a glimpse of them as they go between the stables and school on the Josefplatz:


Neopolitana Trompeta, 2005

Like Favory Plutona, a youngster, not yet completely white.

The formal performances are at the Hofberg (Palace), which I think is the location you see in Patton. Here are some links to a few videos:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?...ab=iv&start=0#

Enjoy!

[Rich-D]

A.B. You never cease to amaze me, you have outdone yourself on this one! For that feat and many others, I owe you my gratitude!

[Steve]

Kudos to A.B.! Great Job!

[RockinRobin]

They are beautiful horses!


RR

[rhtwist]

A.B.
Great article on a beautiful breed and the old photos. Thanks. Is it true that they are born black in color and change color as they age?
Twist

[A.B.]

You're welcome, folks, thanks, de nada, nichevo.

Originally Posted by Twist

Is it true that they are born black in color and change color as they age?

Yes! I found the above photo at an inactive web site, set up for their 2005 tour. The historical section is excellent, as it includes the late Colonel Hancock's personal recollection of Operation Cowboy.

http://www.lobelinepr.com/riding/ (Click on "historical info," and "photos/art" in the menu)

One day Unit Commander Colonel Reed came to visit to see how things were going along. He and I walked down to see the Lipizzaner mare. While we observed them, I turned to the Colonel and said, "They look like they are pregnant.” Colonel Reed looks at me and says, "Sergeant, where do you come from?” I replied, “The Bronx, sir.” Well, the Colonel says, "Where I come from we say they are in foal."

(recollection of Sergeant Vito Spadafino, 2nd Armored Cavalry, Recon)