 |
| The running of the 136th Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2010 |
As a Louisville native, nothing beats the excitement of the Kentucky Derby, held annually on the first Saturday in May. Called the "most exciting two minutes in sports," the city begins celebrations with the nation's largest fireworks display two weeks beforehand, and numerous parties and social events in the lead-up to the race mark the most important part of the Louisville social calendar. Movie stars and celebrities frequently come to watch the race, most famously the Queen of England (who is known for her passion for horse racing.) However, horse racing plays an important part in tourism for many places, including the gambling hotspots in the UAE and the wilds of Australia and New Zealand. This post will draw attention to three must-see races for any student abroad: the Royal Ascot in England, Il Palio di Siena in Italy, and Naadam in Mongolia.
 |
| Gates at the Royal Ascot |
The Royal Ascot shares many similarities with the much younger Kentucky Derby. Attendees are typically there less for horse-watching than people-watching, and the big hats and fancy dresses of the ladies are a spectacular sight. This five-day event is a large part of the British summer social calendar, and the rich and famous can frequently be spotted in the Royal Enclosure. Although my typical readers might wonder what the Royal Ascot has to offer a backpacking student on a budget, admission prices for spots in the Silver Ring (a separate admission area set off from the main Parade Ring and Grandstand) range from £17 to £29, depending on the date of the race and the date of advance booking. Seats in the Grandstand are higher priced, ranging from £49 to £69. In the Silver Ring, smart attire is "encouraged", while men with seats in the Grandstand will be required to wear a shirt and tie and any sports attire, jeans, or shorts are forbidden. Visitors in the Silver Ring are also permitted to bring a picnic lunch and their own alcohol, further helping the struggling student save money. Located 50 minutes from London by train, the Royal Ascot would be an elegant and exciting day trip for any student interested in seeing a three-hundred-year-old* English tradition. Don't miss the Royal Procession at 2:00 PM every day -- try to catch a glimpse of the Queen and other members of the royal family!
 |
| The palio of August 16, 2009 |
Il Palio is an entirely different kind of race. Held in the main square (the Piazza del Campo) of the Tuscan city of Siena, the race is run twice a year -- on July 2 and August 16. Each of the city's seventeen neighborhoods act out their historic rivalries in these mad races, beginning the day's event with a parade of flags representing each neighborhood carried by men in 15th-century Tuscan garb. The dirt track is laid around the perimeter of the square, and race-watchers crowd the middle, making it very important that tourists arrive early to the festivities. After the parade, the horses enter the square around 7:30 PM, and are strategically arranged at the starting line. Jockeys ride bareback around the piazza three times, and are permitted to use their whips on their horses, other horses, and other jockeys. The objective is less to achieve victory and more to ensure that the horse from the rival neighborhood loses; the victor is considered the horse that finishes first, while the loser is the runner-up. Siena is a short day trip from Florence and easily accessible by train; for viewers who want to avoid the crowds in the middle of the Piazza del Campo, advance bookings in the hotels and restaurants overlooking the piazza can be made, but require a great deal of advance notice.
 |
| A Mongolian horseman |
Naadam in Mongolia is a traditional festival where men and women can display their skills in wrestling, archery, and horse racing. The largest festival is held in Ulaanbaatar from July 11-13, and is an amazing celebration of the nomadic Mongolian way of life. Unlike the Western conception of a horse race on a closed circuit track, the Mongolian races at Naadam are cross-country feats extending 20-30 km. Children ages 5 to 13 act as jockeys, and the skill of the horses rather than of the riders are applauded. Singing, which is a big part of Mongolian culture, is used throughout the race to wish horses and jockeys luck and to encourage them to victory.
* Founded in 1711, the Royal Ascot is celebrating 300 years this year. Be on the lookout for special anniversary celebrations!
