Hack (horse)

Hack within the activity of equestrianism commonly refers to one of two things: as a verb, it describes the act of pleasure riding for light exercise, and as a breed (Hackney/hack), it is a type of horse used for riding and pulling carriages. The term is sometimes used to describe certain types of exhibition or horse show classes where quality and good manners of the horse are particularly important.
Etymology.
It is believed that word originated from Hackney, Middlesex (now absorbed into London), an area where horses were pastured. Historically, the term dates to a time when carriage horses were used for riding. These animals were called "hacks" as a contraction of "hackney", and was originally used to describe an ordinary riding horse, particularly one for hire. The term also gave a name to a specific horse breed developed in England, known as the Hackney, a lively riding horse which is noted for its trotting ability and is used today for both riding and driving. The term suggests an animal of good disposition and calm manner, particularly one suitable for an inexperienced or purely recreational rider.
Uses.
The verb form "to hack" or "hacking" is associated with English riding and used more often in eastern Canada and the eastern United States than in western North America, where the term trail riding is more prevalent. In some places, organized hacks are held, where a group of riders go out together for a short, relatively easy ride, either on their own horses or on rented animals. Such rides are often geared for inexperienced riders. Today, many grade horses are suitable for recreational riding as hacks and there is also a market for non-show quality registered horses to be used for hacking. Some show horses that have been retired from competition also are suitable as hacks, as the work is generally not too physically challenging for an older horse or one with minor health issues.
A "hack class" in general refers to horse show competition for hack-type horses where they are evaluated on ability to provide a comfortable ride for a person who is riding all day. In Australia, the term "hack" may be used synonymously with "show" in reference to the act of presenting or exhibiting a horse. In the UK, Canada and Australia, show hack classes are usually divided into different sections based upon the height of the horse or the type of rider who exhibits the horse. Classes may also be scheduled for sidesaddle, educated or pleasure hacks. 
In the United States, horses compete in various "hack" classes. For example, show hack describes either the horses or a type of horse show class where horses are shown on the flat in English riding equipment and judged on manners, quality, conformation and way of going. Open "show hack" classes may also be divided by the size of the horse and if it is ridden astride or sidesaddle. Hunter hack is a class where horses are shown on the flat but also asked to jump a small number of fences, usually two. A bridle path hack class is a basic hunter type English pleasure class where jumping is not required.

Bernd von Brauchitsch

Bernd von Brauchitsch (30 September 1911 – 19 December 1974) was a German aristocratic "Luftwaffe" colonel during World War II and adjutant to "Reichsmarschall" Hermann Göring.
Born in 1911, as the son of Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch, he embarked on a military career. He took part in the invasion of France and the Low Countries, as the commander of a bombing unit. In April 1945, he was arrested together with Göring by the SS on charges of cowardice and betrayal.
After the war, he first served as a witness to major war crimes at the Nuremberg trials, and spent the rest of his life in German steel business, working as managing director of two large Krupp-steel companies.
Biography.
Early life.
Brauchitsch was born in 1911 as the eldest son of the future Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch, and his first wife Elisabeth von Karstedt, a rich heiress in Pomerania.
Military career.
In 1931, Brauchitsch joined the pilot training at the "Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule" (German Air Transport School) at Schleißheim. He and 29 other trainees attended what was called "Kameradschaft" 31 (camaraderie of 1931), abbreviated "K 31". Among the members of "K 31" were future "Luftwaffe" staff officers Günther Lützow, Wolfgang Falck, Günther Radusch and Hannes Trautloft. In 1932, he joined a cavalry regiment of the army, and in 1934 was promoted to lieutenant. In the same year, he transferred to the air force. He first served as a pilot at the Test Center in Rechlin, and from 1935, as a technical officer in a "Stukastaffel". In 1936, he was promoted to first lieutenant and was transferred to a "Stukagruppe", in Lübeck. In December that year he was promoted to squadron commander of a "Stukastaffel". In 1939, he attended the air war academy in Gatow. Also, he served as an aide to the Supreme Commander of the air force, Hermann Göring. Later that year, he was promoted to captain.
World War II.
In the Second World War, from May to August 1940, Brauchitsch was employed as group commander of a dive bomber unit during the lightning campaign against France and the Low Countries. In 1941, he worked with the General Staff, and by the end of 1941, he was appointed chief adjutant to Göring. In 1942, he was promoted to major, in 1943, to lieutenant colonel, and in 1944, to colonel. Also in 1944, he was awarded the Pilot and Observer Badge, by Göring, in gold and diamonds. He was arrested in late April 1945 by the SS, together with Göring, at Berchtesgaden. The SS had orders to shoot Göring, but for some reason decided not to.
In May 1945, Brauchitsch, in accordance with Göring's orders, approached the 36th U.S. Division of the 7th American Army, as a negotiator. As a representative of Göring, he informed the Americans that Göring believed the war was over, and he was ready to surrender. Brauchitsch was then held in captivity, from which he was released in 1948 (the same year his father died). In March 1946, he was interrogated at the Nuremberg Trials as a witness to major war crimes as well as his own personal experience of Göring and top Nazi chieftains.
Later life.
In the postwar period, Brauchitsch worked as a manager of the German GmbH construction and assembly company, and since 1956, as a member of the board, set up by the Krupp steel barons and brothers, Berthold and Harald. In 1961, he became managing director of the sister company WASAG. He was also Chairman of the National Association of Schleswig-Holstein Employers Organizations, the employers' association for the chemical industry and plastics processing in Schleswig-Holstein. In addition, he served on the board of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations.
Brauchitsch died in December 1974.