More Nadaam Festivities in Mongolia

Friends, family and loved ones,

In addition to wrestling and archery, horse racing is the other main sport celebrated as part of the Nadaam festival. So early this morning we left the center of town for the outskirts, where the horse racing venue was located.

What a scene. Again, lots of people watching. Many of the spectators arrived on horseback.

In terms of the races themselves,  the youngest jockeys (racing 2 year old horses) were about 6 years old and the oldest (racing 5 year olds) were maybe in their mid teens.

The races ranged in length from 10 to 25 kilometers. We stood near the finish line, which resembled a mosh pit as the spectators jostled one another in an attempt to get close enough to touch the haunch of each winning horse (for good luck).

Einar managed to get close enough to touch one of the horses and Tom got jostled himself by locals trying to do the same.

More fun in store for tomorrow,

Carole & Vern Tejas