Jumping clinic with international show jumper Laura Kennedy
Saturday 16 November 2024
Horse racing and betting go hand-in-hand. Yet, there are some truly unique races out there that will have you scratching your head and cheering at the same time, and, as these aren't the usual races, you might not find all of them on the best horse racing betting sites on the net. However, what you will find on these online betting sites dedicated to standard horse racing are safe and secure bets with tempting odds on everything from every racing-related, according to Peter Addison.
Just, perhaps not these eccentric races...
An exhilarating winter sport, skijoring, adds a new dimension to the famous 'White Turf' meeting at St Moritz in February. Imagine a rider on a frozen lake, dragged behind a horse and expertly maneuvering on skis. That's skijoring. There are different variations of skijoring, but the most common one involves a single skier being pulled by a single horse. The skier uses poles to steer and control their speed, while the horse charges ahead. It's a true test of teamwork and painfully accurate coordination between the rider and the animal.
This bizarre yet fascinating event is basically horse weightlifting. Instead of jockeys, these massive draft horses pull enormous sleds laden with weights down a straight 200-meter track. The winner is the horse that pulls the heaviest weight the farthest in the shortest time. Make no mistake, these horses weigh twice as much as thoroughbreds and are bred to prioritize strength and stamina over speed. The two-minute race keeps viewers enthralled - and often speechless - as they follow along.
The Mongol Derby holds the distinction of being the world's longest and most difficult horse race. It would be though wouldn't it, considering it's based on Genghis Khan's horse messenger system. Riding over the Mongolian Steppe for 1,000 kilometers, riders encounter a variety of terrains and switch horses at various points along the way. Typically, only around 50% of competitors complete the race, and no wonder.
The Palio di Siena is held twice a year in the height of the summer, but it's not just a sporting event, it's a massive cultural and religious festival. The entire city of Siena is divided into 17 contrade (districts), each with its own colors, coat of arms, and fierce rivalries. People in Siena literally live and breathe their contrada affiliation from birth.
The Palio takes place in Piazza del Campo, the main square in Siena, which becomes a dirt track. Ten riders, bareback and wearing the colors of their contrada, race around the square three times. There are no rules except one: win at all costs. Shoving, whipping, and cutting off other horses are all considered fair game. The race itself only lasts for about 90 seconds, but the lead-up is filled with drama, strategy, and superstition.
Seejagdrennen translates to "lake hunt race" in German and refers to a specific type of horse race that incorporates an obstacle, in this case swimming across a lake. Unlike most horse races that take place entirely on land, Seejagdrennen throws in a watery twist. Horses are required to gallop at high speeds, then plunge into a lake and swim across it before continuing the race on land. This tests the horses' stamina, agility, and temperament to follow commands in an unfamiliar environment.
Beach racing, made famous by Laytown, Ireland, is a once-a-year event that dates back to 1868. In a bizarre environment: the racecourse in County Meath holds the distinction of being the only place in Ireland and the UK to stage horse races on a beach. Races are held annually on a seven-furlong straight track along the tidal beach in September.
It isn't just the Irish, the French and Spanish also have their own versions of the race. But they all have the same thing in common: those horses used are typically thoroughbreds or similar breeds known for their speed and agility.
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