PL/EN
„For two years after the war, I had been seeking out Polish thoroughbreds robbed by Germans. Since I could not become reconciled with a new political situation in Poland, I emigrated to South Africa where I created a Lipizza horse team after the fashion of Spanish Riding School in Vienna.„
Jerzy Iwanowski
Honorary Patron: Polski Związek Jeździecki
Sponsor:
Guardians: Maria Iwanowska
A soldier, a cavalryman, an officer of the 1st Armoured Division commanded by Gen. Maczek. A creator of a Lipizza Horses riding school in Johannesburg.
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Jerzy Iwanowski was born in a noble family at Lebiodka estate (situated within actual borders of Belarus, around 120 km directly from Polish border). As an eleven years old boy, he was a witness of the independence recovery in 1918. When adult, he participated actively in the independence establishment as a doctor, a farmer, a landed proprietor, a horse breeder and a soldier at the same time. He took part in the World War II and settled in Africa after the war. He spent the last years of his life in Poland. In his autobiographical book “Times of my life”, he shared his heart-nearest ideas.
His history is an excellent example of a patriotic attitude expressed in an activity in the interest of his Motherland under any circumstances.
As a young graduate of the secondary school named after Tadeusz Reytan in Warsaw, Jerzy Iwanowski started medical studies at Warsaw University and then he finished Main School of Farming in Warsaw. At the same time, aged 24, he finished Cavalry Reserve Cadet School in Grudziądz in 1931 as a platoon officer cadet with an assignment to 1st Krechowieccy Uhlans Regiment named after Bolesław Mościcki in Augustów. After completion of obligatory military reserve exercises, he was appointed as a reserve second lieutenant with an assignment to 23rd Grodzieńscy Uhlans Regiment. Not long after his 27th birthday, on 02 May 1934, he was brought to his host 1st Krechowieccy Uhlans Regiment. On 17 November 1936, he finished agricultural studies and started working at National Horse Breeding Works in the position of a deputy manager of the Stallion’s Depot in Bogusławice. On 01 January 1937, he got promotion as a cavalry reserve lieutenant. He was about 30 years old then.
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Author: Urszula Kowalczuk
You can find the whole article and other sources at Polish Digital Equestrian Library (click)
You can find links below to related materials in Polish Digital Equestrian Library.
Jerzy Iwanowski died on 28 May 2008 aged 101.
He was buried at Oliwski Cemetery in Gdańsk.
Polish Digital Equestrian Library:
Click the following links to go to related materials in Polish Digital Equestrian Library (they will open in a new page):
„Płk. Jerzy Iwanowski” (2022) – Urszula Kowalczuk
„Od Normandii do Ypres” [link] (2011) – E. A. Parthemore
„Czasy mojego życia” (2000) – Jerzy Iwanowski
Gallery:
The photos come from the book “Times of my life” (2000) – Jerzy Iwanowski
Jerzy Iwanowski with his mother. 
27 June 1940, evacuation of soldiers of 10th Brigade of 1st Armoured Division aboard a ship navigating from Le Verdon, France, to Great Britain. 
Officers of 10th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen in Perth (Scotland) in front of the Regiment Headquarters. Jerzy Iwanowski – the second from left. 
Forfar. Scotland. 07 March 1941, a saluting base during a parade of 10th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen
marching past the King of United Kingdom.
07 March 1941, the following units march past the King of United Kingdom: 10th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, 10th Brigade of 1st Armoured Division. At the head of the squadron – Lt. Jerzy Iwanowski. 
12 April 1945, soldiers of 1st Armoured Division rescued two prisoner of war camps for women – soldiers of Home Army – in Oberlangen and Niederlangen. Polish girls after liberation. 
Tanks of Polish 1st Armoured Division in conquered Wilhelmshaven, a base of German Naval Forces. 
Farewell with army. Where do we go from here… 
The first team. 
Jerzy Iwanowski on Erdem in half pas. 
Col. Hans Handler, a director of Spanish Riding School in Vienna, decorated with a leopard skin, and Jerzy Iwanowski. 
After a winning hurdle race – the author with his daughter. 
The well-known German magazine Sankt Georg. On the cover: Jerzy Iwanowski on Ederm. Ederm’s victory in domestic dressage championship. 
Jerzy Iwanowski and his original team of Lipizza horse riders. 
Jerzy Iwanowski with his team. 
The main characters of Lipizza horse team history. From left: Jack Irvin, Iganz Lauscha, Jerzy Iwanowski and Francis le Riche. 
A flower. 
A Lipizza horse team. Entry to a show. 
Rhodesia, the author’s daughter is winning Grand Prix on Frederyck while jumping the last obstacle during jump off 2 m. 
The older pair, Maestoso Solo and Jerzy Iwanowski are leaving the Team. 
A picnic under a baobab. Rhodesia (at present Zimbabwe). 
Buffalos – Zambia.
