Pony race in derby style
A unique race of ponies is organised every year for the last 130 years in Jorhat town of India's Northeastern state of Assam. Here local tribal youths race their domestic ponies for trophies much to amusement of spectators.
IT WAS a great scene to watch at the Jorhat Gymkhana Club ground in Assam, the Northeastern state of India as indigenous riders raced their locally bred ponies in Derby style.
Believe it or not, this traditional race is 130 years old and undoubtedly one of the oldest sporting events in Northeast India. The 130th edition of the Annual Jorhat Races kicked off to a flying start on February 3, where enthusiastic contestants came in dozens to vie for trophies like the Governor's Cup, the Chief Minister's Cup and the George Williamson Cup. However, more than the cash awards and the trophies, the riders race for honour that enlivens their spirit.
There was also betting options for the spectators just like the professional races found anywhere across the globe, though the stakes are not that high.
The horses and the riders are trained from a tender age. As these tribal youths race the ponies without any safety gear like helmets, stirrups and even saddles, a rider has to gel with the horse and this gelling process starts very early.
There was also betting options for the spectators just like the professional races found anywhere across the globe, though the stakes are not that high.
The race dates back to 1880, when the then British tea plantation owners started the races with thoroughbred horses. The idea behind it originally was to allow the planters, who used horses for their work on the tea estates, to compete with each other and show off their horse-riding skills. But later, when jeeps replaced horses, they had to find people who were used to horses to keep the tradition alive. They came across the local Mising tribe who use horses for day-to-day chores. The tea planters persuaded them to take part in the race and the culture is still going on. Though now-a-days, the thoroughbreds have disappeared to give way to country ponies, the organisers are again trying to rope in some thoroughbreds to add lustre to the sport. However, the ponies will remain in their place to preserve the uniqueness of the race. The thoroughbreds will race separately in the coming years.
Apart from the pony race, various other events like tennis, football matches of both men and women, flower shows and dog shows, are also organised during this five-day long carnival of sorts. The evenings are specially marked by barbecue and bonfire - a favourite joint for the tea garden executives and defence personnel. Earlier horse polo and bicycle polo matches were also held but the same had been put off in recent years for dearth of players. This year the event will conclude on January 6.
The authorities that organise this race annually has also been taking up the noble gesture of providing financial assistance for various development works of the Mising community residing on the outskirts.
The authorities that organise this race annually has also been taking up the noble gesture of providing financial assistance for various development works of the Mising community residing on the outskirts.
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