On the morning of February 6 (the 9th day of Lunar New Year), thousands of people flocked to Go Thi Thung (An Xuan commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen) to watch the horse racing festival and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a traditional folk festival in the Central region.
This year's horse racing festival has the participation of 32 "war horses" from 4 communes: An Linh, An Xuan, An Hiep and An Tho (Tuy An district). Each race consists of 4 horses competing, running 2 laps (2 km), then choosing the 8 fastest horses in the group stage to compete in the semi-finals. The 4 horses that win first and second place in the semi-finals will compete in the final round.
Go Thi Thung horse racing festival (in An Xuan commune, Tuy An district)
The "knights" and "war horses" before the battle
The competition with the participation of 32 "war horses"
PHOTO: TRAN BICH NGAN
The racehorses are daily packhorses, used to transport agricultural products. The racers are farmers with muddy hands and feet. That is why the Go Thi Thung horse racing festival has been created, unique and interesting, making thousands of spectators laugh heartily.
People were present from early morning to cheer.
The sunny team watched the competition
Standing in front of a cheering crowd for the first time, many horses panicked and ran away from the track. Many horses had been given the starting command long ago but... refused to run. Many people chased, shouted, and spanked their butts before they... moved.
There was a horse that was running... and didn't want to race anymore. Even more strangely, there was a horse that threw its rider to the ground to avoid getting in the way so it could run faster to the finish line.
Many riders fell off their horses at the competition.
After more than 2 hours of competition, the results: first prize went to horse number 23 (An Hiep commune); second prize went to horse number 25 (An Hiep commune); third prize went to horse number 9 (An Xuan commune) and horse number 15 (An Hiep commune).
Mr. Nguyen Huu Son (controlling horse No. 23) won first prize in this year's race. Mr. Son said there is no secret to winning. "This race depends a lot on the horse, because it is a pack horse so it is very arbitrary. In front of a crowd, the horse can easily panic and run wildly. I have to use a whip to urge it to race, and I have to concentrate highly, otherwise it will throw me off and I will be disqualified immediately," said Mr. Son.
First prize belongs to horse number 23 of An Hiep commune.
Every year, Mr. Luu Van Khanh (70 years old, Hoa Tri commune, Phu Hoa district, Phu Yen) comes to watch the horse racing festival in Go Thi Thung and is still very excited. "Although not professional, both the people and the horses are very enthusiastic, creating hearty laughter for everyone. Sometimes because of this amateurism, the festival leaves an impression and attracts viewers," said Mr. Khanh.
Mr. Huynh Gia Hoang, Chairman of Tuy An District People's Committee, said: "Go Thi Thung horse racing festival is a unique cultural beauty of Tuy An District and has existed for a long time. In the coming time, we will continue to maintain and promote this cultural beauty widely in the community and the whole country. Thereby attracting investment, stimulating economic development, increasing the income of local people, and at the same time contributing to preserving and developing the unique cultural features of the locality".
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/man-dua-ngua-doc-la-cua-nhung-ky-si-nong-dan-18525020611423385.htm
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