International equestrian Grand Prix to be held in Inner Mongolia

(Xinhua)

Updated: 2015-07-09

HOHHOT, China, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The International Horse Walking Grand Prix and the Chinese National Horse Racing Tournament are scheduled to kick off during July 11 - July 14 in a pastoral area of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, local sports authorities said here Tuesday.

A total of 32 horses from Russia, New Zealand, Mongolia and China, which have arrived at the host place, Inner Mongolia's Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner (County), will compete for high walking speed without letting their four feet off the ground at the same time.

Meanwhile, riders with 141 horses of 19 teams from China's nine provinces and regions will compete in the domestic horse racing meet, chasing the prize money of 840,000 RMB (about 137,059 US dollars).

The national meet is to feature eight events in five categories, including an indefinite group for 1000-meter, 2000-meter and 3000-meter races as well as a 2-year-old horse group for 1000-meter race and others.

Horse racing and walking competitions are traditional Mongolian cultural and sports activities, which ethnic Mongolian herders used to host or participate in the vast pastoral places in Inner Mongolia. Enditem