Background
Pantchoulidzew was born in the noble Russian family of Панчулидзевы, in Pyatigorsk, a town close to Georgia where he served with the cavalry.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Alexis Pantchoulidzew
Edit ProfileCareer
As equestrian, he was the only competitor for the Netherlands at the Dutch-boycotted 1956 Summer Olympics. Aged 67, he was also the eldest participant at those Olympics and the eldest Dutch Olympian ever. After the revolution of 1917 he fled Russia and eventually settled in Germany.
Bernhard learned riding from Pantchoulidzew, and together they took part in international competitions.
1956 Olympics
After World World War II, Bernhard became a patron to Pantchoulidzew. Being a Dutch prince and president of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (since 1954), he arranged that Pantchoulidzew received Dutch citizenship and was the only Dutch competitor at the 1956 Stockholm Equestrian Games.
The Netherlands boycotted the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, because of the Soviet Union"s invasion of Hungary. However, the strict Australian quarantine regulations resulted in the Olympic equestrian events being held in Stockholm, Sweden, five months earlier, and, with the help of Bernhard, Pantchoulidzew was allowed to participate at his own expenses.
He took part in the individual Grand Prix dressage with the horse Lascar that did belong to Prince Bernhard.
He finished in 28th place among 36 participants, in presence of the Dutch Prince and Princess Armgard of Sierstorpff-Cramm. To his disadvantage, he had to start first, and thus could not adjust his performance to competitors.
Membership
Pantchouldidzew was also appointed by the FEI the international governing body of horse sports in Switzerland, as an official member of the jury d"appel for the showjumping competition at the 1956 Olympic Games in Stockholm.
