TRAVERSE 60
At breakneck speed the horses completed a race that must ’ ve been at least ten kilometres , the young boys a step closer to becoming men , treated like heroes , an honour so important that many children are killed racing horses each year in an attempt to seek personal and fraternal honour .
The top five horses in each class were named the airgiyn tav and the top three riders awarded medals ,
gold , silver , bronze , first , second , third . The winning jockey was also named the tumny ekh , the leader of ten thousand . The last horse across the line was named bayan khodood , full stomach , as a song of encouragement was sung to wish him well for next year .
The celebrations simmered as everyone walked back to the arena , a guttural sound echoed throughout as instruments began .
TRAVERSE 60