Horse racing competition in Tundikhel

While ‘Ghode Jatra’ took place in Tundikhel of Kathmandu last week, a horse race is being organized again.

The 7th Equestrian Championship on horse riding is scheduled to be held in Kathmandu on Friday, April 8. The winners of the competition will be given a total cash prize of Rs 2, 45,000. While Nepal does not usually take part in horse riding competitions, the association is preparing six players for the upcoming Asian Games. The selected players will be sent to China for special training.

 In Nepal, seven national horse riding competitions have been held in the last 13 years where Nepal Army cavalry personnel and officers have been participating.

Although horse riding has been practiced in Nepal for hundreds of years, very few training centers for the public have been established in the nation so far.

The Nepal Cavalry was formed during the succession of Late King Surendra Bir Bikram Shah in 1849 AD. Initially named Rissalla, it was renamed the Kings Household Cavalry after the reorganization of the Nepali Army in 1952 AD and Nepal Cavalry in 2006 AD. Since its inception this unit has been participating in state ceremonies and various other equestrian activities.

With its motto "Speed Devotion Service" the Cavalry is stationed at Narayanhiti. Presently this unit is under command of Animal Development and Livestock Directorate of Nepal Army. The Cavalry currently has more than 200 horses.

Similarly, for the past few years, the Traffic Division of Nepal Police has also been using horses for vehicle management. But in the private sector, only a limited number of people are involved in the horse-related business. There are currently four horse riding centers in the Kathmandu Valley.

However, the businessman Mohammad Fazil has informed that not many people have come to do horse riding even after operating the center. He said that people did not even come for proper training for horse riding. He says that it is very difficult to raise a horse personally.

 Nepal Equestrian Association has shown interest in establishing equestrian training centers for the general public. Chairman of the association Rabiraj Karnikar said that they are ready to provide land for the Nagarjuna Municipality Training Center.

 There are more than 150 sports associations under the National Sports Council. However, the Nepal Equestrian Association has been recognized by the World Equestrian Federation and the Asian Equestrian Federation. International officials had given the recognition during their visit to Nepal.