Horseback riding with the Nationale Handelsbank 1952-4
At least once a week, we had to take lessons in horseback riding at
the "Manege" next to the Amsterdam "Vondelpark". This was from 06:00 to
07:00, and one could earn "brownie points" by going more than once a
week. The gentleman in charge of the Executive Training Program, Mr. Moll,
was very ambitious, conscientious and hard-working,and tried to instill
these habits in his disciples, too. Thus, one would receive reminders by
telegram:
Unfortunately, there were no shower facilities at the "Manege",
so I had to leave my house at 05:00 in the morning to be in time for the
lesson, get sweaty all over and back on my bike on to the Bank, where
from 08:00 to 18:00 - except one hour for lunch - I would favor my
colleagues with my pungent horse smell .... And that was usually not the end
of it,because from 19:00 to 22:00 we had our evening class;so it was
only just before midnight - after biking back home -that I had the chance to
wash. Anyhow, this was in Holland in those good old days when there were
no deodorants and people bathed and changed clothes once a week...
We
also participated in elaborate "demos" and
occasionally bused out to the "Ginckel" on summer evenings to ride
through forest, heather and "Zuyderzee-surf".
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