To Naadam for the Races

This documentary presents an intimate portrait of life on the steppes of Mongolia and the dramatic changes the people there have undergone as a result of the previous seventy years of Communism. The lens of the camera plunges into a seminomadic Mongolian herding community, focusing on their traditional lifestyle. The headmaster of one family, Ganbold, is a respected stallion trainer and herdsman; with some of the other men, he trains horses, teaches children ages 5–14 to ride, and prepares them for the horseracing competition section of the annual Naadam (festival). As the popular saying goes, “The nomad is born in the saddle.” Horse riding is especially central to Mongolian culture and is considered an art form more than a skill. Mongolians have a high regard for horses since, for centuries, they have relied on them for transport, sustenance, and companionship. The long-distance races that are showcased during Naadam festivals consist of a cross-country event over long stretches of open country, with races 15–30 km long.