55-year old Mahmoud strives to keep equestrianism alive in the Kurdistan Region

Variety 10:30 AM - 2021-03-24

Photo Credit: Shad Ibrahim

Equestrianism has a very ancient history in the history of the Kurds. In the past, horses were used for many purposes in Kurdistan, such as traveling, transporting goods, and many more, but due to the development of technology and the invention of cars and vehicles nowadays, horses are only used for entertainment and equestrianism is also a sport.

 

Kurdistan Region has many equestrians who often arrange local competitions and races among themselves though there is no official horse riding championship in the Kurdistan Region.  

 

Mahmoud Abdulla Saeed known as Mahmoud Abba Khali is a 55 years old resident of Kurdistan Region's Halabja Governorate who has been an equestrian for over 30 years. He has become friends with his horse as he put it and is one of the most prominent equestrians in his region and says that it has been his dream to become an equestrian since childhood and with great efforts, he has made his dream come true.

 

Mahmoud told PUKmedia; "I've been an equestrian for over 30 years and I inherited this hobby from my grandfathers and it has been my dream to become an equestrian ever since I was a child and that is why I managed to make my dream come true from a very young age."

 

"Equestrianism is a tradition from our grandfathers and we must not forget it, although, equestrianism has somewhat faded, but we will try not to forget it as much as we can and will always try to keep it alive," he added.

 

Mahmoud thinks that if anyone wants to learn equestrianism must fall the back of the horse a few time and recalled an ancient Kurdish saying that says "an equestrian will not become an equestrian without falling" and for this reason, the ground that they use for practice must be plowed with a tractor so that it is soft.

 

Mahmoud also said: 'In the past horses were one of the tools for transportation, they were even used for weddings as the groom was taking his bride from her father's home on the back of a horse, but due to the many transportation gadgets nowadays, horses are only used for entertainments and as a sport as well."

 

Mahmoud stressed that equestrianism must not be forgotten and that this tradition must be kept alive and equestrianism festivals and carnivals must be held annually.

 

 

 

Reported by Jamal Sargaty

PUKmedia