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Saddle Riding School

  • Object

In 1853, Ypres was granted a cavalry school by the young Belgian government. Not just any school, but one of international renown. Young soldiers from all over the world came to Ypres to be trained as top riders. The school housed 168 horses, but this number quickly grew to 366. This brought international fame back to the fortified town.


The young men stole the show in the city with their colourful green and black coats and pink trousers. They were extremely popular with the population because they brought life to the nightlife and boosted tourism as a result of the large equestrian demonstrations they held, which attracted more people to the city.
The Ypres Museum has a few items on display from this cavalry school. The pastel by Louise De Hem (1866–1922) shows Léon Osterrieth (1870–1924) from Antwerp in his beautiful uniform. At his “feet” lies a saddle from the school, one of the museum's recent acquisitions (2018).

Pictures