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The world, seen from the saddle: 6 equestrian adventures to mark the Year of the Horse

Saddle up for some thrilling horse-related spectacles and experiences with our top picks from around the world

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The Year of the Fire Horse is associated with intense energy, bold movement and pioneering spirit, making it, perhaps, a fitting time for a transformative travel experience. And what better way to channel a steed’s spirit of adventure than through some of the world’s most memorable equestrian experiences, from the Sandalwood ponies of Sumba, Indonesia, to the thoroughbreds that “dare to confront fire” in Marrakech, Morocco.

Mongolia and the Naadam Festival

Mongolia’s Naadam Festival features horse racing as one of its “three manly games”, along with archery and wrestling. Photo: Shutterstock
Mongolia’s Naadam Festival features horse racing as one of its “three manly games”, along with archery and wrestling. Photo: Shutterstock
“A Mongol without a horse is like a bird without wings,” as the saying goes, so it’s of little surprise that mounted trekking is a popular activity for visitors to Mongolia.
And then there are the Winter Horse Festival (held in November, in Khentii province) and the Naadam Festival (July 11-13), a national holiday, albeit one with Olympic-style opening and closing ceremonies in the National Sports Centre in the capital, Ulaanbaatar.

The “three manly games” that comprise Naadam include wrestling and archery, as well as horse racing, but catching every event is a logistical marathon as it requires muscling into the sold-out main stadium and satellite locations, and then braving traffic jams to reach the race finish line 35km away, on the open steppe.

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Given the obstacles, companies such as Stone Horse prove invaluable. The tour operator has been leading multi-day horse-riding treks in Mongolia for years. To those taking its July 1-10 Gorkhi Terelj National Park Horse Riding Tour, it’s offering a two-day Naadam add-on for US$300, which includes attendance at the opening ceremony, races, archery and wrestling, lunches, transport and English-speaking guides.

Gorkhi Terelj National Park Horse Riding Tour US$4,000 per person; stonehorsemongolia.com

Kobuchizawa, Japan

Horse-riding is popular with guests staying at wine resort Risonare Yatsugatake, in Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture. Photo: courtesy Risonare Yatsugatake
Horse-riding is popular with guests staying at wine resort Risonare Yatsugatake, in Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture. Photo: courtesy Risonare Yatsugatake
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