About events

The Olympic Games program includes two equestrian disciplines: show jumping and equitation. But visitors of the XXIV Equestrian Exhibition Hipposphere learned that there are many more competitions featuring horses. Some of them are breathtaking.

So, on the final day of the exhibition, June 12, the seminar “History of fashion in working equitation: traditions of different countries” was held. Working Equitation is an equestrian discipline created to preserve and popularize national equestrian traditions. Its most important part is national costumes of riders and harness of horses. Everything must be in the spirit of national traditions. Authenticity and brightness of costumes are evaluated at one of the stages of the competition, which is called “Style”.

Representatives of the Russian Working Equitation Association spoke about the traditions of the style in European countries. Men’s garments are traditionally more restrained, in classic colors; women’s, on the contrary, are distinguished by brightness. Spain is characterized by striped pants; in France, an important detail of costumes is Provencal patterns with flowers and diamonds. Italian fashion traditions depend on the region. The south and the north differ dramatically. The key feature is the hats. In the north they are flat-brimmed, as in all of Europe; in the south they are ribbed, like those of American cowboys.

But as it turns out, the hat is not a necessary costume detail at all. In Spain and Portugal, caps are now allowed. And in Germany, cattle are traditionally driven in helmets.

Cattle driving is another phase of working equitation, along with equitation and speed.

For those who are tired of the atmosphere of riding arenas and racetracks, there is equestrian tourism. Irina Ionochkina, a representative of the St. Petersburg Sports Tourism Association, made a speech “Opportunities for riders in sports tourism” and told that equestrian disciplines are among the youngest and most popular in the sport. Especially among women; there are less men in the equestrian tourism so far, as they prefer its traditional types.

In equestrian sport tourism, there are two types of courses: long and short. In the first case, the rider will have to cover up to 25 or more kilometers through forests and fields. The route is complicated by elements of navigating with obligatory tasks at checkpoints.

The short course competition involves passing various trials, both overcoming obstacles and controlling the horse.

The St. Petersburg Sports Tourism Association organizes up to 5 equestrian tournaments a year, and its representatives participate in interregional, all-Russian and international competitions.

Tatiana Shelulina, a graduate of the Department of Horse Breeding of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Russian State Agrarian University – Timiryazev Moscow Agricultural Academy, made a report on the relationship between performance and reproduction of Arabian thoroughbred mares.

“Performance of horses does not particularly affect reproduction in Arabian mares,” the alumna concluded. Her research was carried out for the period from 2010 to 2020 based on data of about 300 horses that took part in races at the racecourse in Pyatigorsk.

Valeria Fisenko, a bachelor student of the aforementioned university, presented to the conference participants a comparative analysis of the Akhalteke breed of horses from the Stavropol stud farm.

At the end of the event, Tatyana Shelulina and Valeria Fisenko presented the seventh volume of the State Stud Book of Karachay breed horses.

This book helps study the evolution of the breed, unites the activities of breeders to improve a certain breed, and contributes to the rational use of resources of thoroughbred animals.

The seventh volume of the State Stud Book of Karachay breed horses is a continuation of the previously published sixth volume of the State Stud Book of Karachay breed horses, as well as the State Stud Books of mountain breeds of horses.

The Karachay horse is one of the oldest riding and draft breeds. For centuries, these strong and hardy animals have helped mountaineers herd cattle, carry goods, and move between villages. Thanks to its unique qualities, today the Karachay breed is reviving – it is still valued, bred and actively used in different applications.

The book includes 302 heads of stallions (including half-bloods) and 1,633 heads of mares (including half-bloods), of which 257 and 1,297 heads, respectively, are reflected in the June 2022 valuation report. There is data on breeding use of 296 mares of Karachay breed recorded in the sixth volume of the State Stud Book.

Collection of materials for the publication was carried out by Rasul Majitovich Temirbolatov and Olga Evgenievna Gedz, employees of Karachay Horse, the Association (breeding center) of support and development of Karachay breed of horses.

The work was carried out by order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic. The scientific preparation of the release of the seventh volume of the State Stud Book for the Karachay breed of horses was carried out by the Department of Horse Breeding of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution Russian State Agrarian University – Timiryazev Moscow Agricultural Academy.

Hussar honor, military valor, the charm of fair ladies, operetta and humor! Horse tricks and stunts on horseback included! Is it a real story or just fables told by a retired officer?

“Our Hussar story is based on the real biography of Nadezhda Durova, one of the first female officers in the Russian army, a hero of the War of 1812. The show involves about 20 people, including 7 children from 5 to 12 years old,” said Igor Shumaev, the show’s director.

The main participants of the show are Russian and Orlov trotters, Kabardian and Hanoverian horses.

The show “Hussar Stories” takes place in the large arena of the Hipposphere Exhibition every day. Detailed program of the Hipposphere 2023 exhibition.

Five dozen hobbyhorsers, mostly girls aged 9–14, competed in the arena.

“The Hobbyhorsing Federation was established in 2019. During this time, the number of its participants has reached 60. In addition to competitions, we host workshops, webinars, and training sessions. The Federation Hobbyhorsing Cup, consisting of several stages, is held annually. This year participants from Moscow, Karelia, Voronezh and Belarus are competing at Hipposphere,” said the secretary of the Federation Evgenia Beskrovnaya.

Professional jury – judges of the 3rd category Maria Balabanova and Elena Nazarova – evaluate hobbyhorser movements according to the rules inspired by equestrian sport. The movements and elements should be beautiful and neat, and replicate the patterns of a real riding arena. The competition also takes into account the speed of hobbyhorse riders.

At the Cup finals, each young participant received commemorative awards and souvenirs, and the horses were also recognized. Creativity is an important component of hobbyhorsing. Before the competition, each participant tried to create a unique sports partner – a toy horse.

The organizers of the event – the Regional Public Association Hobbyhorsing Federation – emphasize that this sport is good for physical development and stress relief. Cheerful jumps, active movements, the spirit of a completely non-injurious competition give vigor and raise the mood. In addition, hobbyhorsing helps to determine whether the child likes the equestrian atmosphere and wants to continue training on a real horse.

Hobbyhorsing came to Russia from Finland. The sport is quite developed there. At Hipposphere, Hobbyhorsing has been presented to the public for 4 years, both in the business program and in the sports and entertainment program. Every year the number of participants in the competition grows.

The storm of spectators’ emotions was caused by the graceful allure of four purebred Andalusian horses – representatives of one of the most calm breeds. These horses are patient with children and have a kind, docile temper.

The pride of Russian horse breeding – Orlov trotters Zastupnitsa, Baikersha and Kumir – conquered the spectators with their agility. The abilities of horses of this breed are tested in races. Kumir, a young trotter born in 2015, raced lightning-fast through the arena, attracting the attention of spectators with his sharp temper and loud roaring. The Orlov trotter is a light-draft breed of a horse with a genetic ability to trot.

Waltz, a stallion of Vyatka breed, came from the Moscow Zoo. Its striking feature is the contrasting coloring – beige torso and black mane. This play of color is especially appreciated in the breed.

Mare Chudesnaya of the Trans-Baikal breed participates in the show for the second year in a row. This breed’s coat becomes frizzy like a sheep’s in the winter and molts in the summer. The horse behaves nicely with children and is easy to train.

A group of Irish draft horses trotted into the arena, including the Internet star – mare Eluna. This breed is distinguished by thick cowboy tassels on the legs, lush mane and unusual bicolor, similar to the coloring of cows.

The horses of the Bogatyr breed – the agile Percheron mare Cassiopeia, the Soviet heavy-draft horse Rubezh, and a young pair of Vladimir breed, stallion Vagant and mare Otvaga, showed outstanding power and size.

The finale of the first breed ring featured Welsh, Shetland and Fell ponies, and the smallest participants of the Show – American miniature horses.

Regarding the latter, viewers noted that despite their size, the mini-ponies feel like powerful members of the horse family, behaving boldly and rebelliously.

Horses were presented by the All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding.

During four days of the exhibition, more than 200 horses of 20 breeds from different regions of Russia will be presented to the guests.

The parade culmination will be choosing the Hipposphere Absolute Champion. The winner will be announced on June 12.

A special guest of the Hipposphere Exhibition, the Shyu Khase Society of Circassian Horsemen, presented the Adygesh, Kabardian horse breed, the pride of its region and one of the oldest indigenous breeds of riding and draft horses.

In Circassian language, the words “horse” and “brother” (shyi) sound consonant; it shows the attitude of Adygs (Circassians) to horses. Outstanding physical strength and endurance allow horses of this breed to withstand the conditions of mountainous terrain.

The Kabardian breed was represented by a joint delegation, including three horses from Adygea and three from Karachay-Cherkessia, one from the Krasnodar Krai and two from Kabardino-Balkaria.

Riders in vivid national costumes and sheepskin papakhas, which have long become a trademark of the whole Caucasus, made a spectacular presentation of the breed on the big arena of the Exhibition. The audience enjoyed national dances with daggers and a demonstration of masterpieces of weapon craft.

The Kabardian horse breed is one of the oldest officially registered breeds in Russia; back in the 16th century, it came to Moscow under the name of “Circassian” horses and made a great contribution to the history of the country and the world.

In 2021, stallion Nalmes from the Koshekhablsky district of Adygea became vice-champion of the Hipposphere 2021 exhibition.

Who has indications for horse therapy trainings?

“All people who want to develop relevant skills, collectives who are interested in team building, increasing trust, developing leadership and emotional intelligence. In addition to trainings, we offer hippovention – psychological recovery and personal development through communication with a horse. It is suitable for everyone who wants to improve the quality of their life, deal with stress, improve family relationships or relationships with other people.”

How does the training take place? Describe the steps a training participant goes through?

“We always start with greetings and safety precautions. Communication with horses starts after observation, in increasing degrees of engagement. Then the lead driving begins, and only then there is more interaction with the horse at liberty, or team games. In the end, there is a reflection circle, a discussion of the feelings and emotions that have arisen.

Depending on the need, the training may occur only once, or it may be recurrent.”

What kind of horses participate in training and therapy?

“Absolutely any horse is suitable for psychotherapy with horses, depending on how we interact with them. My American colleagues have wild mustangs, but in this case the therapy is only observation. But even watching a herd of wild mustangs gives people amazing insights into their interactions with each other, their attitudes toward life, their sense of purpose and conflict behavior.

For face-to-face direct tactile contact we choose the calmest horses, not prone to sudden displays of temper. As a rule, these are older mares, not stallions. The breed can be any kind: ponies, donkeys or other animals as well.”

Who trains who – the horse and the people?

“The role of a specialist – a trainer or psychologist – who sets the format of interaction is crucial. It is the specialist who creates an environment where clients meet the horse for more than just fun. The format, level of training and client request is determined in advance, followed by working through the internal issues and discussing the findings. In this way a therapeutic or developmental effect is achieved.”

What are your main principles for interacting with horses?

“The three pillars in my heart: trust, respect, and love. If we are guided by these principles in every action we take, we will not hurt anyone, horses or people.”