The Husaria cavalry often referred to as "The Winged Cavalry" was the pride and glory of the Polish Military from 1550 to 1683. They were an elite fighting force earning one third more salary than that of the other enlisted men. They were offered political offices, titles, many privileges and even land after six years of service. Many of the sons of the highest born nobility were enlisted in the Husaria as well. Only those who demonstrated great fighting and equestrian skill were accepted.

For over a century, the Husaria were the lords of the battlefield, delivering the decisive blow in many an important engagements; at Kircholm (1605) 4,000 Poles accounted for 14,000 Swedes, at Klushino (1610) 6,000 Poles (of only 200 were infantry) defeated 30,000 Muscovite and 5,000 German and Scottish mercenaries, at Gniew (1656) 5,500 Polish cavalry defeated 13,000 Swedes and outside Vienna (1683) the Husaria saved Europe from the, until then, unstoppable might of the Ottoman Empire.

"It would be futile to tell of the grandeur and beauty of this cavalry; to speak of their costumes, their tall lances with long pennants, their tiger skins and exquisite horses with saddles, stirrups and reins dripping with gold, embroidery and precious stones; to do so would only diminish their beauty. It is a chivalry that has no equal in the world; without seeing it with your own eyes, its vigour and splendour is impossible to imagine"

-Italian envoy Cosimo Brunetti, after witnessing Sobieskis coronation parade in 1676

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_hussars

oh if i was only born a little earlier...