Hans von Blixen-Finecke

Baron Hans Gustaf von Blixen-Finecke (25 July 1886 – 26 September 1917) was a Swedish officer and equestrian who won a bronze medal in dressage at the 1912 Summer Olympics. He died in an aeroplane crash in 1917. He was the twin brother of Bror von Blixen-Finecke, a famed professional hunter in Africa who was married to writer Karen Blixen née Dinesen from 1914 to 1925. Hans had experienced a failed love affair with Karen, who then accepted an offer of marriage from his twin brother.

Von Blixen-Finecke passed mogenhetsexamen on 29 May 1906 and became a volunteer in the Scanian Dragoon Regiment (Skånska dragonregementet, K 6) on 31 May 1906. He was a rare equestrian talent, especially on the racetrack, where he 1910-15 was the foremost in Scandinavia, with 57 victories in 171 races. One of his achievements was when he, in 1914, after a victory in Gothenburg, flew to Klampenborg, where he had his second victory of the day. Von Blixen-Finecke won a bronze medal in dressage at the 1912 Summer Olympics. His best horses were those on his father's estate Näsbyholm, Aimable, Baccarat, Hops and Hilarion.

Personal life

On 15 July 1915 at Trollenäs Castle he married Hilla-Brita Trolle (born 4 April 1894), the daughter of överhovjägmästaren, Baron Nils Axel Arvid Trolle and Baroness Anna Eleonora Sofia Leijonhufvud.

In popular culture In the film Out of Africa, which is based on Karen Blixen's memoir of the same name, Austrian actor Klaus Maria Brandauer plays Hans von Blixen-Finecke. He also plays his brother Bror—he was nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting role.