Mongolia's Junior Genghis Khans Face Rising Risks: "Just before little Baasanjav Lkhagvadorj was lifted onto a horse for a race across Mongolia's open steppe, he asked his father to bless him with a kiss.
Minutes later the seven-year-old was killed in a fall, the latest in a rising toll among the country's child jockeys.
As Mongolia's biggest national festival, Naadam, begins on Thursday, controversy is mounting over the way unprotected young riders are risking injury and even death.
Mongolia's jockeys start young. Photo: Reuters
Horses are at the core of Mongolian culture - there are dozens of words for the colours of an equine coat, and children learn to ride almost as soon as they can walk."
'via Blog this'
Minutes later the seven-year-old was killed in a fall, the latest in a rising toll among the country's child jockeys.
As Mongolia's biggest national festival, Naadam, begins on Thursday, controversy is mounting over the way unprotected young riders are risking injury and even death.
Mongolia's jockeys start young. Photo: Reuters
Horses are at the core of Mongolian culture - there are dozens of words for the colours of an equine coat, and children learn to ride almost as soon as they can walk."
'via Blog this'
