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Introduction
The True Miracle of the White Stallions 1939 - 1955
The Miracle of the White Stallions, a popular Disney movie,
depicts the evacuation of the Spanish Riding School from Vienna in
1945 and the recovery of the mares. The movie is great fun
and follows the broad outline of true events. However, the
Disney film is not a documentary ....and I think the real story is
even more interesting ..... Read More |
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Staffing
during World War II
When Germany "annexed" Austria in 1938, the Spanish
Riding School staff was incorporated into the German Army
Cavalry to protect the School from Nazi control. Podhajsky
was appointed Director of the School in 1939 by the German Cavalry
and was allowed to search through the entire army to staff the
school..... Read More
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The
Spanish Riding School Evacuates Vienna
In
the Disney movie The Miracle of the White Stallions,
Podhajsky and the General Tellheim character conspire to evacuate
the Spanish Riding School from Vienna under previous orders which
allowed Podhajsky to move "certain art treasures" to
safety. The reality was quite different. .. Read
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Sankt
Martin, March and April, 1945
When
the staff and the last 15 stallions of the Spanish Riding School
arrived in St. Martin, their troubles were not over. Read
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Castle
St. Martin. While the film was made on location in
Austria, the St. Martin
scenes were filmed at the Hermes Villa. The Hermes Villa palace
was built in the late 19th century. The exterior of the
Hermes Villa palace and stables should look familiar to anyone who
has seen the movie. [With
photos] Read
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The
Performance for Patton
Major Allard saw Podhajsky ride in
the 1936 Olympic Games where the then Captain Podhajsky and Nero
won the Bronze Medal in dressage. Podhajsky writes that Major
Allard was excited to have found Nero with the School. Read
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The
Rescue of the Breeding Herd
The Lipizzan breeding herd was actually rescued before the
famous performance of the Spanish Riding School for Patton. Read
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Evacuation
of the Breeding Herd
With Czech and Russian interest in the Lipizzan breeding
herd, Reed informed Patton recommending movement of the entire
herd to Bavaria. Read More
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Where
is Hostau?
John's detective skills solve the mystery of where the
Lipizzan breeding herd was when rescued by Patton. Read
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Summer
1945
With the rescue of the Lipizzan breeding mares herd by the US
Army under Patton's orders, Podhajsky asked Patton for assistance
in supplies and protection during the post-war years. During
a second performance for Patton, he presented Patton with a book
of photos of the SRS, fortunate as Patton was killed in an auto
accident in December. Read
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The
School's Ten Years in Exile
With Austria still under Axis occupation, the Spanish Riding
School remained in exile for ten years. Read
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The
Breeding Herd in Exile
Not only the Austrian
breeding herd but also the Yugoslav and Italian breeding stock. He
literally had the fate of the Lipizzaner breed in his hands!
Finding stabling, feed and staff was a constant challenge. Read
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