For the first time in Kazakhstan, from September 3 to 7, 2024, in the lead-up to the 5th World Nomad Games, the international marathon-baige “The Grand Steppe Tour” will be held.
It is expected that teams from more than 10 countries, including Iran, Turkey, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, South Africa, the Russian Federation, and others, will participate in this large-scale sporting event. In particular, the national team of Kyrgyzstan held a multi-day horse marathon to select the best horses for participation in the «The Grand Steppe Tour».
The Vice President of the Kyrgyzstan Equestrian Sports Federation, Manas Sultanov, stated that it is a great honor for the Kyrgyz team to accept the invitation to participate in the «The Grand Steppe Tour» marathon-baige.
“As part of the preparation for the Kazakh steppe derby, a multi-day selection marathon 1Kochmondor jurushu1 over a distance of 300 kilometers was held. May luck accompany each team, and may there be as many winners as possible. I wish success to the most enduring and swift,” said M. Sultanov.
The marathon-baige will start on September 3 from the Botai settlement in the North Kazakhstan region, where the horse was first domesticated more than 5,000 years ago. The national team of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic is also preparing to participate in the The Grand Steppe Tou. The founder of the AMD Caucasu horse club, Akhed Makhov, stated that he received an invitation to participate in the Kazakh derby.
“It is particularly important that the start will take place in the Botai settlement, which is considered a sacred and holy place for all humanity. The team will be happy to visit these places, filled with legends and historical artifacts. Kazakhstan, wait for us!” said A. Makhov.
The horse races will conclude on September 7 in the capital of Kazakhstan, the city of Astana. The winners will participate in the opening of the 5th World Nomad Games on September 8.
The Grand Steppe Tour is a steppe laboratory for identifying strong horse breeds. It should be noted that the national federation JORYQ is a member of the Association of National Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition, the Association includes federations of baige, kokpar, audaryspak, asyk atu, archery, zhamby atu, tenge ilu, falconry, and others. The Association of National Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan is headed by the well-known entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Public Fund Altyn Qyran FoundationIslambek Salzhanov.
