Recently, the competition of the equestrian events in the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of China started in Zhaosu County, Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which was praised as the “Hometown of Heavenly Horses in China”.

After the opening ceremony, the 2,000-meter traditional ethnic horse racing, the first of the equestrian events, started with firing. After fierce competition, Tashi Phuntsok, a player of the Xizang Delegation, won the first prize, Lu Jiangfeng won the second prize, and Rinchen Lhundrup won the third prize.

The competition of the equestrian events was the earliest to begin in this year’s Games, which features the largest number of participating teams ever. The competition includes both contest and exhibition events. The contest events feature traditional ethnic horse racing, horseback archery, picking up khada on hoseback and individual biathlon. Exhibition categories are divided into competitive, technical and comprehensive performances.