Last Sunday, the Dunjingaravyn Khurd 2011 Winter Derby was held approximately 60km from Ulaanbaatar. It was a very cold day with temperatures below -20 but this didn't seem to deter spectators or contestants. Hundreds of people enjoyed the event, many of them dressed in their finest garb with silk and fur lined deels, quirky hats, fur jackets and silver encrusted belts.
Over 600 horses competed in races which covered a 16-20km distance (
in full gallop!!!). Many of them with child jockeys who rode bareback and with no helmet. It's hard to tell the age of the young riders but I believe by law they must be at least seven years of age. Hope you enjoy the pictures. (just click on any image to enlarge).
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| Young riders who just finished their race. |
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| The finest fox fur hats! |
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| The horses are quite small. You can't imagine they are capable of running a half marathon! |
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| Age-old transport meets modern technology. |
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| Setting up camp: hot coffee or COGNAC! |
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| You have to walk a long way to find suitable "amenities!" Either travel too far to be seen or hope for a dip in the terrain! |
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| Unlike the Melbourne Cup there is plenty of room for EVERYONE! |
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| The group |
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| Ole and some locals (who had their own "bar-b-q" happening on the side) |
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| Another well dressed local (Sim) AND a guy in fur !! :D |
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| Stylish youngster |
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| The horses arrive! (middle distance) escorted by a horde of vehicles on the left!! It was exhilarating seeing both cars and horses approach. |
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| The pint size winner coming in, riding bare back! |
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| Spectator stand at the finish line |
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| Middle of the field riders coming in. |
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| Big screen technology. One horse has lost its rider but doesn't stop. |
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| More finery |
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| A jockey!!!! |
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| Horse and rider. Beautifully colour coordinated. |
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| After the race grilled whole mutton was waiting at Chinggis camp |
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| There's no mistaking what's for dinner tonight! Those are actually pelts of snow leopards encircling the ger. We were reassured that they were confiscated from smugglers :( |
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| Sim learning how to carve mutton (just in case we ever entertain a large crowd) |
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| Still carving! |
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| A throne of dead animals !! |
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| Sunset over the ger |
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| Some archery practice to top off an entertaining and fun day |
2 comments:
What a fantastic day you guys have had.
What animal do the skins belong to that are hanging up around the gur walls?
Sian
Sadly they are the pelts of Snow Leopards. They are protected in Mongolia. The owner reassured us they were only pelts confiscated from smugglers. Estimated number of snow leopards left in Mongolia are 500-1000.
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