Competition, Mongolian Style
The horse races take place out in the country and man, this is a race unlike any other.
No tracks, no fancy railings: just as many horses that can be fielded and tiny little young (5 to 9 years old) brightly dressed riders latched on them.
There are actually divisions in the races - the only ones I noticed in Nadaam - with horses of different age grouped together. After being checked by the judges (counting teeth, mostly, to confirm the horses age) the riders all ride off to the starting line - 20 (yes, twenty) kilometres away. Then, the race starts and they all just ride hell for leather en masse to the finish line.
The first five win, and get to wear white clothing to the closing ceremony, accompanied by their Herald. This is a grown-up who carries the winning youngsters colours, and his long rod as they all ride up to the podium and get awards. Then they get sung to by the National Storyteller of Mongolia, who praises their skill and the speed of their horse.
But then, but then....is the beautiful bit. Up comes the last horse of the race, and his young rider, in his own colours and with his Herald beside him.
The last rider and his mount are brought in to the stadium and paraded. And once again, the national Storyteller sings for them, praising the horse and rider and telling them that they are young, and will do better next year. After the rider responds, and gets given prizes, the crowd applauds them and wishes them better luck next year.
Dammit, is that nice or what?
