Marché-Concours national de chevaux
The Marché-Concours national de chevaux (German about national horse race ) is an annual show for Freiberg horses with a horse race and a horse market in Saignelégier , Canton Jura , Switzerland . The event is the central stage of Freiberg horse breeding, which is one of the living traditions of Switzerland.
horse race
The horse and chariot races with the Freiberg horses are a special attraction . Most categories are traditionally ridden without a saddle and stirrups . There are always a particularly large number of young riders at the start.
The chariot races are held in four disciplines:
- Two-axle carriage with one horse,
- Two-axle wagon with 4 horses,
- Roman chariot with 2 horses
- Roman chariot with 4 horses.
The last two categories, which have been held since the mid-1990s, are considered the highlight of the event. The reference to the most famous horse race in (film) history, that in Ben Hur , is obvious, especially since the score from that film is played when the opponents move in .
history
The Marché-Concours National des chevaux was first from 28 to 30 August 1897 by the Farmers' Union of Freiberge organized. This first Marché Concours was primarily an agricultural exhibition for horses and cattle. For economic reasons, the second exhibition took place two years later, this time with a parade and racing events. At the third Marché Concours in 1901, these extensions were again omitted for financial reasons, and the event was limited to the exhibition of 500 horses. From 1904 the Marché-Concours national des chevaux could take place annually because the organization had been made much easier by the construction of the Halle-Cantine market hall . Only during the First World War was the event canceled three times, so that in 2003 the 100th Marché-Concours national des chevaux was celebrated. Today the festival is always held on the second weekend in August and is attended by around 50,000 spectators.
On August 12, 2001, the Unspunnenstein was returned as part of the Marché-Concours national des chevaux . It was stolen by Jurassic separatists in Interlaken in 1984 .
photos
- Gallery: Marché Concours
Relocation of the host canton: This is where the Graubünden custom Chalandamarz is presented.
Many spectators cheer on the participants.
Awarded Freiberg
Chariot races
Web links
- Official website of the Marché Concours (French and German)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Freiberg breed . Federal Office for Culture. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- ↑ Marché Concours in Saignelégier attracts 55,000 horse lovers . Blick.ch. August 12, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2019.