County hosts equestrian event to show culture

Tibetan riders display their skills and courage at this year's Jiatang Equestrian Culture Festival in Chindu county, Qinghai province. [Photo by Xu Haoyu and Luo Yunpeng/For China Daily]

"Drink to get drunk, ride to fly (gallop)," says Ungog, president of the Jiatang Equestrian Performance Troupe.

"The clop is in our blood. We will not fear the risks of getting hurt while riding," the 62-year-old Tibetan adds.

In summer－a beautiful season in the grasslands－horseback riders reveal their skills and courage while celebrating this year's Jiatang Equestrian Culture Festival in Chindu county, Qinghai province.

Ungog's troupe gave spectacular performances on the Jiatang grasslands, located at an elevation of more than 4,400 meters, during the three days of the festival that started on July 16.

The riders and their horses fascinated viewers with difficult movements while galloping on the mountains.

The riders did activities such as handstands, back-bends, shooting and presenting flowers, and stunts like riding two horses at the same time.

Ungog has connected with horses since a young age, and he has tamed more than 10.

He says horses from ages 5 to 9 are usually very fast. While some people might prefer horses with a "moderate temper" for such shows because they are easy to tame and train, he says for the Jiatang grasslands, furious horses are more popular.