LET'S EXPLORE POLAND

Copyright 1996 by the AngloPol Corporation

This series will take us through the cities, towns, villages and countryside of Poland, 
as well as give us insights into the rich history and culture of the nation.

Part 8

VACATIONS ON HORSEBACK

An old Polish proverb speaks of the three most beautiful sights in the world: a dancing woman, a sailing ship under full canvas and a horse on the gallop.

The Poles have had an emotional attachment to horses for hundreds of years. In its time, the Polish cavalry was considered the best in Europe. The horse accompanied our forefathers in their daily business and on festive occasions, while on their travels, while hunting and when going to war.

Fortunately, these beautiful animals have been spared the fate of other symbols of centuries past--far from disappearing, they are still present to gladden our eyes, while Polish stud farms enjoy international renown, to mention only those at Janow Podlaski, Michalow, Kurozweki and Bialka. These studs specialize in pure-bred Arabs, which win numerous prizes every year at the largest and most prestigious international show of these horses in Paris. The Arabs also fetch record prices at auctions, where they are mainly bought by breeders from Western Europe and America. In addition, Polish stables are also well known for their English thoroughbreds and horses of the local Wielkopolska breed.

Some studs, such as those at Kadyny, Racot or Wojcieszow, occupy former country estates and boast restored historical places or manor houses. Regardless of their surroundings, however, they all welcome guests, providing board and lodging, splendid steeds, professional riding instructors and a unique atmosphere, in which the horse is man's best friend, and the contact between horse and rider provides an excellent and healthy form of relaxation - for some, riding in fact becomes more a way of life than a simple leisure pursuit.

Poland is therefore the perfect place for those wishing to relax in the saddle, in active communion with nature. Experienced riders can enjoy short rides or longer excursions and cross-country treks, and also a very particular attraction: the St. Hubert Chase, an event named after the patron saint of hunters and traditionally organized at the end of the hunting season.

Beginners, on the other hand, can receive tuition from expert riders, while the more advanced can learn from champion show jumpers. At the same time, the youngest equestrians can win their spurs on the small and sturdy Hucul ponies, friendly animals which hail from the Polish mountains and constitute one of the rarest breeds in the world Not only can you spend your holiday in Poland on horseback--visitors are also welcome to buy a horse of their own. Annual auctions for horse fanciers are held in Sopot (in March), Ksiaz (May), Poznan (June), Janow Podlaski (September) and Walewice (November). Anyone who takes part in these auctions, or simply comes along as a spectator will surely agree that a horse on the gallop is indeed one of the three most beautiful sight the world.

HUNTING BIG GAME

Hunting is a Polish tradition that dates back many hundreds of years. Once this was the privilege of those of noble blood, of Poland's kings and lords. Although quite able to hunt on all continents of the globe, including in exotic Africa, with its elephants and lions, buffalo and rhino, the nobility took greatest pleasure in setting out on hunting trips to their native forests. Polish literature contains many descriptions of hunts for bison and bear, wild boar and wolf, elk and red deer, and some of the country's palaces are still adorned with impressive trophies from those expeditions. Today, no privileges are required to set out in search of big game, save a suitably padded wallet.

There are some 2.5 million hectares of hunting grounds in Poland, which is the only country in Europe to retain such huge expanses of virgin forest as the Great Augustow, Bialowieza, Knyszyn, Notec, Kozienice and Sandomierz forests, the Tuchola and Lower Silesian forests, and many others. For years these forests have been visited by guests from abroad, eager to hunt game both big and small.

The Germans and Scandinavians, particularly the Danes, are especially keen on hunting red deer, elk and wild boar. The Austrians, French, Spaniards, Dutch and Italians, on the other hand, prefer smaller game, while the Americans visit Poland to stalk elk, red deer and above all--to cull selected specimens of bison. The latter, a rarity in Europe, are a Polish hunting specialty and a major attraction. Bison hunts are held mainly in the forests of the Bieszczady Mountains in southeastern Poland.

The combination of picturesque countryside and a multitude of game unfailingly encourages visitors to come to Poland to shoot. But there is more to the sport than just shooting. The whole ritual associated with hunting is also important. According to the Old Polish Encyclopedia, this was once exceedingly elaborate. Depending on the tasks and responsibilities assigned to them, those taking part in hunts were divided into various categories. The master of the hunt was in overall charge of the proceedings, the fowler set traps and snares, the falconer trained his hawks and falcons and then used them to catch game, while the hunt guide used his expert knowledge of the local topography to allocate hunters to their stands. There was also a pheasanter, a master of hounds and a dog handler.

These traditions have not died out entirely, although they are today continued in much simplified form. It is still possible to shoot with the assistance of a party of beaters or hunt with a falcon, under the expert eye of seasoned huntsmen, well versed in secrets of the trade that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Other hunting customs that are still practiced date back to ancient Slav times. These include the election of a King of the Hunt, the sounding of hunting horns, the presentation of trophies and the evening feast by the bonfire, all followed at home by long evenings reminiscing by the fireside and recounting hunting tales--each hunter has his own stock of these, one that gets larger with every expedition.