Blazing saddles at Shoton Festival in Tibet

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A traditional Tibetan horsemanship performance has attracted a lot of attention in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, as an important part of the ongoing annual Shoton Festival, also known as the Yogurt Festival.

A top-level Tibetan equestrian team in Lhasa presents a “fast and furious” on horseback to over 6,000 spectators, who have come to see the young Tibetan racers, like 29-year-old Badi.

Team leader Badi of a Tibetan Equestrian team based in Lhasa is caring his horse before the performance. /CGTN Photo‍

The team leader said there are at least 28 different performances during the show, including archery on a horse, flower-basket-picking on a horse and so on.

Badi and his team have been preparing for over one and half months. Daily interaction with the horses has helped refine their horsemanship skills.

Tibetan horse racers present different horsemanship during the Shoton Festival. /CGTN Photo

Ciyang, a Tibetan girl, and Badi’s teammate said she was once scared of horses, but after training with them, she finds they are her best friends, especially her horse, Legend.

Legend will retire from performing next year. And Ciyang says she can't bear the idea. And Badi shares in her affection for the animals.

Tibetan horse racers present different horsemanship during the Shoton Festival. /CGTN Photo

He said that his horse would also retire next year, and he was planning to buy the horse from his boss, and give the horse a good life after retirement.”

The racers in the equestrian team are professional and have won many titles in China. However, Badi says his real aim is to share his love of horses and horseback riding with others.

Horse men head to the race course after a shower in Lhasa. /CGTN Photo

He said that team went to many remote villages in Tibet to entertain the local people with their skills, and the team want to let people have fun and learn more affection for horses, not just during big festivals like the Shoton Festival.

Their efforts have helped make traditional horsemanship more popular in cities like Lhasa, where people have less chance to meet horses.

Over 6,000 spectators participate in the horse race performance during the 2017 Shoton Festival in Lhasa. /CGTN Photo

After watching such dashing performances at the Shoton Festival, people can really sense the love and the enthusiasm that the Tibetan people have towards horses and horsemanship. And there are always groups of racers ready to pass on the tradition.

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