Horse Racing - Tests Of Riding Horses

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49

Horse racing - group competitions of riding horses under the saddle of jockeys for agility and endurance. Classic or smooth races, common all over the world, are held for horses of different breeds and age and gender groups at certain distances. The most common location for horse races is the hippodromes, however, almost every region of Russia hosts local district “unofficial” races.

The age of the racehorse. A racehorse starts its performance at 2 years old (usually end of April - beginning of May). There is no hard limit on the maximum age. It is customary to divide races by age for horses 2 years old, 3 years old and 4 years old and older. There are some exceptions, for example the 1000m Criterium Sprint Prize is played for horses 2 years old and older, and horses older than 4 years old can participate in the presidential race.

Race distances. Having entered the racetrack for the first time, a young 2-year-old horse begins his first racing year in the spring with 1000 meters starts and ends with a 1600 meters race. At 3 years old, horses start from 1400 to 2400 meters. At an older age, the horse can participate in distance races up to 5 kilometers. At regional races, distances of 7-10 km are practiced. In the union republics, national horse races are more popular - baiga for 12, 25 and 30 kilometers.

Race horse breeds. The most common horse racing in the world is the English thoroughbred horse breed. The most expensive World Cup worth $ 10 million is being played for these purebred horses. In many countries, horse races are organized on the Arab thoroughbred horses. In Russia, in addition to these breeds, races are organized for Akhal-Teke, Budennovsk, Terek and half-blooded horses.

Hippodromes. On the territory of Russia and the former Soviet republics there are about 30 racing and cross-country hippodromes. Some of them are already private. The most famous and numerous in terms of the number of races and horses are the official hippodromes: Moscow (TsMI), Rostov, Krasnodar, Pyatigorsk, Kazan, Ufa. Hippodromes have an area of several tens of hectares, prize and working tracks from 1 to 3 km long, stables, and often arenas for equestrian competitions. The Rostov Hippodrome also has the most difficult steeplechase track with obstacles in Russia. All modern official races must start from the starting boxes.

Prizes. Conventionally, prizes are usually divided into groups 1, 2, 3, which include main prizes, traditional prizes and ordinary personalized prizes and races. Each age group has its own main prize, for example, for horses of 3 years old - "Derby", for mares - "OKS", for horses of 2 years old - "Summer" and "Big Prize". List of prizes of the 1st group: Big All-Russian (derby), Big Summer, Grand Prix of the South of Russia, OKS, Big Sprint, Governor, Friendship of Peoples, Jockey Club, them. Cm. Budyonny, Cup of Champions, Summer, Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, Autumn, Opening, First Crown, President of the Russian Federation, Trial, Farewell, Comparisons, Elite.

Barrier jumps. Obstacle jumps are less popular than smooth jumps. Barrier races can be carried out on the main prize circle with spaced "combed" obstacles - hardels. In the most difficult steeplechase races, obstacles are placed along the route at a distance of 4 to 10 km. Steeple chases are more spectacular than smooth races - they are unpredictable and traumatic. Mares and stallions 4 years old and older can participate in them. Up to 30 participants start in steeplechase and very often only 2-3 out of such a large number of horses reach the finish line. The most difficult steeplechases in the world are Liverpool (England), Pardubicki (Czech Republic). In Russia, a serious steely track is located in Rostov-on-Don. Until 2010, up to 10 stipends per year were held at the Rostov hippodrome.

Related article Types of Equestrian Competitions

All over the world (except for Russia) horse racing is a separate sector of the economy and has a well-developed infrastructure. The racing system includes the amount of prize money won, the rating of the horses, the sweepstakes and the network of bookmakers. The racing industry brings profit to all participants - both those who breed horses and those who train them professionally, and the audience and the state. On Russian hippodromes, the tote is officially valid only at the Rostov Hippodrome, and the fairly low prize money reduces horse racing to expensive entertainment and pure enthusiasm.

Source: Sale of racehorses on the Koni Don website