Oluf Pontoppidan

Rasmus Oluf Pontoppidan was the eldest son of the colonel and chamberlain Jens Kraft Peter Ludvig Pontoppidan. Oluf began his military career as a recruit in the Life Guards before attending the Danish army’s officers’ school from 1894-96. In the year of his graduation, he was promoted from second to first lieutenant. Beginning in 1900, he attended the riding school for two years. From 1903-07 he served as adjutant to major general Hegermann-Lindencrone, who was Inspector General of the cavalry at the time. Pontoppidan was appointed cavalry captain and squadron commander in 1910. From 1914-23 he was head of the riding school. Promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1918 and to colonel and chamberlain in 1930, he eventually became head of the Guards Hussar Regiment. He held this position until his retirement in 1934.

Oluf Pontoppidan was a well-known horseman, who competed in both horse races and in equestrian tournaments. He was entered for the Danish team in eventing, show jumping and dressage at the 1912 Olympic Games but did not compete. In 1899, Pontopiddan married Elna Leschly, the daughter of a general. Together, they had three sons and one daughter.