Third “Highland Barley Cup” Horse Racing Festival Opens in Aba, Celebrating Tradition and Unity

Kathmandu — The third “Highland Barley Cup” Horse Racing Festival has opened in Gemo Town of Aba County, Sichuan Province, China, bringing together riders, local communities, artists and spectators in a vibrant celebration of speed, culture and unity.

Held on the vast plateau grasslands, the festival has attracted riders from 11 counties across Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai. The event is not only a sporting competition but also a lively expression of highland life, Tibetan cultural identity and regional friendship.

The festival, which began on June 23, is organized by the Aba County Gesar Horse Racing Association. Closely linked with Gesar culture and the horse riding traditions of the Amdo region, the event has become an important platform for cultural exchange and community connection.

The opening ceremony featured colorful cultural performances by local art groups. Traditional Tibetan songs, dances and horse riding displays created a festive atmosphere, while riders entered the field with beautifully decorated horses, receiving warm applause from the audience.

This year’s festival includes speed racing, long distance endurance racing and horseback skill demonstrations. These events highlight the courage, discipline and ability of the riders, as well as the close bond between people and horses in highland communities. In the plateau region, horses are not merely used for transport or sport; they are also symbols of life, culture and pride.

Aba County lies in an area connected with Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai, making the festival an important venue for regional cooperation and cultural interaction. Participants from different areas compete on the same field while strengthening friendship, mutual understanding and shared cultural identity.

The festival is also expected to support local tourism and the rural economy. Cultural and sporting events of this kind help promote local hotels, food services, transport, handicrafts and agricultural products. Traditional clothing, local performances and community activities give visitors an opportunity to experience the distinctive character of Aba’s highland culture.

For local residents, the festival has become a source of pride and participation. Many see it as an important occasion to preserve cultural heritage, connect younger generations with tradition and deepen ties among different communities.

The scene of participants in traditional clothing, decorated horses and the wide plateau landscape reflects the unique beauty of the festival. The sound of galloping hooves, songs echoing across the grassland and the excitement of spectators have turned Gemo Town into a center of cultural and sporting celebration.

The third “Highland Barley Cup” Horse Racing Festival carries a positive message of tradition, courage and unity. By preserving highland horse riding culture while promoting tourism, people to people exchanges and regional harmony, Aba has presented its cultural identity with renewed energy and confidence.