Naturally, the horses didn't come galloping on their own but rather were delivered to Moscow from various Russian regions in special horse carriers. At that, some of them got used to their mobile stable so much during the trip, they had no intention to come out. Yet after some persuasion the carriers were left empty as these highbred racers and heavy drafts were supposed to participate in “Equiros-2016” equestrian industry exhibition, which was held in Sokolniki Exhibition and Convention Centre between October 27 and 30. The “Russian Blogger's” journalist snatched an opportunity to take a glance at the exhibition stables.
It’s been four thousand years now since the domesticated horse has become an agricultural helper, yet in the 20th century horses have been replaced with tractors and cars. Also, the military need for horse troops, which used to represent the elite of any army in former days, has vanished. According to a book character, “The iron horse comes to replace the farm horsey”. Yet mechanization was not enough to wipe out love of horses and equestrian sport, and highbred horses are now deemed national assets all over the world. Today there are over 420 breeds, and 90 Russian stud farms breed about 60 of them, including the national ones such as the Russian Saddle Horse, Buddenovsk, Tersk and many more. A special position here is held by the Orlov Trotter – this unique breed, introduced by earl Alexey Orlov-Chesmensky, united the beauty, dryness and grace of the Arabian horses with mass, might and trotting capabilities of the Western European light draft breeds.
In Russia, lords’ horse herds first appeared early in the 14th century, and the first ever Khoroshevsky State Stud Farm was founded in the end of the 15th century. Horse breeding used to take both private and state ownership in various historical periods, and reached its full development in the beginning of the last century with population amounting to 38 million in 1916. In Soviet times, collective breeding farms emerged, with the Scientific and Research Institute of Horse Breeding successfully managing reproduction research and breed improvement. In the unstable years of the Perestroika, the horse breeding turned into a loss maker but decline has been overcome in the last decade. Today the popularity of equestrian tourism grows increasingly, while Russian riders perform in the international competitions.
Annual exhibitions have become the best way to review horse breeders’ achievements, featuring not only various horse breeds but contemporary equestrian equipment, horse care items, riders gear, horse carriers, box stalls, feeds and veterinary drugs. “Equiros-2016” has become the 13th iteration of the equestrian industry exhibition. Equestrian exhibition also demonstrates the show and competition capabilities of various horse breeds, as well as opportunities for children’s training, learning basics, and elements of dressage (voltage, show jumping and driving).
“Equiros-2016” programme included breed presentations and horse parades, research and practice conferences for expert, dressage, trick riding and show jumping workshops and open lessons.
Source: Russian blogger
Last update: Monday, February 06, 2017 2:22:28 PM
