Rights groups demand better treatment for Mongolia’s child jockeys, some of whom are as young as seven
Last year, as many as 10,435 children participated in 394 races nationwide, official figures show
At the opening of Mongolia’s traditional Naadam festival, red-cheeked child jockeys in brightly coloured outfits and helmets raced over the muddy steppe in a 24km endurance race, excitedly whipping their mounts.
The festival held last week highlighted a sport that is a source of prestige in Mongolia, where nomadic families take pride in their children becoming jockeys and racing their horses.
But the practice also faces criticism for putting children at risk and international organisations called for an end to what they say is the “exploitation” of vulnerable children, many of whom miss school to prepare for races, and work long hours for low wages at large stables.
The minimum age for a jockey is just seven, though authorities have struggled to enforce that.
Last year, as many as 10,435 children participated in 394 races nationwide, official figures show. More than 600 were thrown from their horses, 169 were injured and two were killed, the figures show.
Some children as young as five have been hurt in contests in previous years, Mongolia’s National Traumatology and Orthopaedics Research Centre says.