In Mongolia, the Three Manly National Games, or wrestling, horse racing and archery, are powerful expressions of national identity and cultural pride. During these festive days, people from near and far gather to celebrate strength, endurance and tradition. The Naadam Festival, with its ancient heritage, begins with the soulful notes of the traditional long song, the vibrant display of decorated horses and the rhythmic sound of hooves racing across the open fields. As horsemen and young riders rise at dawn to prepare for the race, the spirit of Naadam comes alive in the dust of the steppe and the cheers of the crowd. Among those who embody this spirit is D.Ariunnaran, a skilled and passionate horse trainer from Tarialan soum, Khuvsgul Province. From a young age, he formed a special bond with horses and was mentored by his uncle in the art of training and racing swift steeds. Today, D.Ariunnaran is recognized across provinces and soums for his numerous victories and contributions to Mongolia’s horse racing tradition. We caught up with him on his journey from his home province to Arkhangai Province, where he was preparing to compete once again. In this interview, he shares his story, insights into the life of a horse trainer and what Naadam means to him.
With the arrival of the rainy season and the beautiful summer in the Khangai region, how are preparations progressing among the horse trainers as the Naadam festival approaches?
This year, we’ve been fortunate, sun and rain have come in equal measure, making it a truly beautiful summer. I left my soum at the start of the season, just as the spring vegetables began to sprout. After spending some time in Buregkhangai and Dashinchilen soums of Bulgan Province, I’ve now arrived in Ulziit soum of Arkhangai Province. With the days of Naadam fast approaching, I’ve started adjusting the harnesses of the horses that will be tested in the upcoming races. Everywhere I go, the grooms and trainers are already gathered and hard at work, preparing for the national, provincial and soum festivals. It’s a busy season for all of us. But the work of a horseman doesn’t just begin and end with Naadam. Our efforts are year-round. Naadam is the moment when all our preparation, care and dedication are put to the test. It’s not only a competition but also a reflection of how much we’ve achieved throughout the year. Moreover, as soon as the great national festival ends, the horses are given time to rest. They’re put out to pasture until autumn, when preparations gradually begin again, starting in November, for the next cycle of training and racing.
What age will you be grooming and preparing for this year’s festival?
I’m currently preparing six-year-old horses for racing and also selecting promising three-year-old horses. This year’s festival is expected to feature quite a number of daagas (two-year-old colts), so it’s going to be a competitive season. Recently, the field of racehorse training has become more professional, and I’m committed to continuously learning and improving. At every stage, I try to do research, observe experienced trainers and apply new techniques. In almost every province, you’ll now find well-organized teams of skilled horse trainers with exceptionally fast horses.
Last year, our team had the honor of training our horses at the foot of Bogd Khaan Mountain alongside Mongolia’s top trainer P.Erdenebat. We presented our horses at the State Naadam and demonstrated what we’d achieved. Among the results I’m proud of: one of my daagas - bred and trained by me - came in first among my own horses. My khyazaalan (three-year-old) placed seventh, and one of my selected horses finished ninth. Another daaga I personally trained, born from one of my own mares, took third place. As for my two stallions, one finished first and the other third. These results have been a great motivation to keep refining my skills and raising stronger horses each year.
There’s a saying that while the intelligence, sensitivity and experience of a horse trainer are clear in its horse, much of how well it performs depends on the rider. How do you go about selecting the riders for your horses?
Many factors influence the success of a racehorse, but it all starts with proper training. The air, water, climate, local vegetation and geography of the area all play an important role. Beyond that, the dedication of the trainer and the support of family members are equally critical. It truly takes a team to raise and race a champion horse. One of the most important responsibilities of a trainer is selecting the right children to ride the fast horses. This isn’t a decision taken lightly. We look for children who have grown up around horses, those who understand their behavior instinctively, who are familiar with their smell, their sounds and their rhythms. These children have spent time in the stables and fields, learning from the quiet, steady work it takes to raise and train a horse. The ideal jockeys are strong, alert and sensitive to the horses’ needs. We typically choose children between the ages of eight and 12, as this is when they are agile and light enough for racing, yet mature enough to ride with focus and care. Their bond with the horses can make a significant difference on race day.
Have the local authorities begun preparations to hold the Two Thousand Horse Festival alongside your soum’s Naadam this year?
Yes. You can only see fast horses at your local Naadam. Tarialan soum of Khuvsgul has over 2,000 horses. This year, local authorities have planned to hold the 2,000-horse festival together with the soum Naadam from July 3 to 5 and have started preparations. Since it will be ahead of the Naadam of other provinces and soums, the best horsemen, strong wrestlers and archers from all over the country will gather, and there will probably be a lot of people. For me, this is the reason I came to the national Naadam. However, it is a tradition that three-year-old horses compete in my soum Naadam every year.
Your trained daaga who won the national competition last year. Is this horse descended from your own breeding stock?
This year, my horse that won the State Naadam will be competing in the shudlen age category - that is, among five-year-old horses. It’s one of my native-bred horses, and I have high hopes for it. Horses at this age are more developed in strength and endurance, making the races especially competitive. During Naadam, while spectators enjoy the excitement of horse racing, wrestling and archery, the grooms and trainers can’t afford to sit still. Our attention is completely on the horses and the children riding them. As we prepare for the race, we carry many thoughts. We pray to our sacred mountains and waters, to our parents, to the eternal blue sky, and to the spirits of the horses. We offer tea and milk to the land and sky. The trained horse - the culmination of years of careful preparation - is the result of tireless dedication by both grooms and young riders. These children and caretakers often give up sleep and food in their pursuit of excellence. They pour their energy into refining their skills and preparing the horses for one goal: to compete in the State Naadam. For us, the most meaningful victory is not just winning, it’s seeing the horse and rider, after a long journey, safely reach the finish line.
Of all the races, the daaga race draws enormous interest from Naadam fans. But for trainers, it is one of the most delicate and demanding challenges. Training a daaga is like raising a child who is just beginning to explore the world. It’s young, unfamiliar with discipline, and deeply sensitive to its environment. Separating a daaga from its herd, getting it used to the harness, and preparing it to race takes enormous care. We begin by slowly introducing the basics, teaching it to accept a rider, to become familiar with the feel of the bit in its mouth, and to build confidence. Because a daaga’s bones are still developing, we choose the lightest riders, typically very young children. If a daaga is overworked, especially in long-distance races or extreme summer heat, it can suffer, its legs can weaken, and its heart may not withstand the stress.
Did you introduce a stallion from another region and successfully integrate him into your existing herd?
My horses are mostly dark-colored. To strengthen my herd, I brought in fast-breeding stock from Sukhbaatar and Dornod Provinces, which laid the foundation for the horses I now raise. In recent years, I’ve begun to see results, not only in racing but also in tradition. I’m now able to produce airag (fermented mare’s milk) from the offspring of these horses, which is a source of pride. Horse riding is more than sport, it’s a great cultural tradition. It connects us deeply to Mongolian heritage and the rhythms of the land. A skilled rider must engage in constant research, observation and analysis. Understanding the behavior, health and potential of a horse is not something you learn overnight, it’s a lifelong commitment.
How did growing up riding speed horses as a child influence your later career as horse trainer?
I grew up around horses. They’ve always been a part of my life. I started riding when I was just six years old. Even after I became a student, I never left my horses behind. Every summer vacation, I would come home to take care of my horses and train them for races. As a child, I also trained in track and field. Later, I graduated from the Institute of Physical Education and returned to my soum to teach at the local school for four years. But balancing my teaching job with racing horses at the provincial and soum level became increasingly difficult. Preparing a racehorse takes time, energy and full dedication. Eventually, I made the decision to leave my job and focus entirely on horse training. The year I graduated from the institute was also the 80th anniversary of Tarialan soum. That year, I trained my first horse for racing, and I remember how overjoyed and excited I was. I can still clearly see the moment when my parents stood up with pride as people around us offered their congratulations and support. That was the first time I had officially tied and raced a horse, and it left a beautiful and lasting memory in my heart.
Do you consider yourself well-versed in the art of horsemanship?
My uncle on my mother’s side is a horse trainer, and growing up riding my older brother’s horses had a big influence on my path. My uncle guided me a lot in becoming a rider, and he’s always there to offer advice when I need it. My brother, P.Tsogtbaatar, lives in Khutag-Undur soum, Bulgan Province, and still trains horses for provincial and soum Naadams. With their support, I was named a Famous Provincial Horse Trainer in 2016. My horses started winning prizes and placing in Naadams around 2014. When I began competing in national Naadams in 2018, I realized how much more preparation was needed at that level. Last year, after winning, I felt like I had finally reached the level I’d been working toward. But there’s always more to learn. Good horses show promise even before the race, in how they look and move. My winning horse had performed well in all the pre-Naadam trials, which gave me confidence. All grooms come to the State Naadam with one goal. And horses trained with care and tradition by fathers and sons are never easy to beat.
Last year, your horse won at the State Naadam. Could you share how you felt about that achievement?
When my horse made it into the top five, I couldn’t believe it. I turned back toward the stables, unable to even look for my horse. I didn’t know we had won at first, I just hoped my horse wouldn’t fall behind. Later, I watched the race footage and couldn’t hold back my tears. That’s how my horse proved himself among the fastest in the country and won at the State Naadam. This year, I’m racing my field-colored and bald stallion. I believe he’ll make up for what he lacked last time, and he’ll come in strong. I always value the advice of experienced local trainers, and I enjoy exchanging ideas with people from all over. Khuvsgul is known for fast horses and strong wrestlers. I learn a lot just by sitting down and listening to the older horsemen, they really know their craft.
Lately, horse racing has appeared to take on more of a sports event character than a traditional one. Do you agree with this perspective?
Each year’s Naadam has its own unique character. Over time, the approach to horse racing has also changed. In the past, the traditional method was often used simply to earn a living. Today, however, riders train their horses like professional athletes. A Naadam victory is the result of teamwork between the owner, the rider and the horse. Wherever horse riders travel, they build strong connections with local people and learn from each other’s knowledge and experience. I’m often recognized and welcomed because of the horses I’ve trained. When I visit different places, I’m greeted warmly with tea and kind words like, “A Khuvsgul rider has arrived.” When I first trained my horse, my father told me, “My son, be steadfast and loyal to your goals.” That advice has always stayed with me. A horse trainer must be hardworking and determined. This is not work for the lazy, it demands long hours, enduring heat and cold, and sometimes even illness from exhaustion. But there’s no greater reward than seeing the results of your hard work after overcoming every difficulty.
Do you take time to ride your horse to the starting line and watch the local wrestling competitions?
I pay close attention to which wrestlers from each local area meet, fall, or overcome one another. I also watch with interest how the archers compete. Sometimes, a rider and horse connect so deeply, they understand each other without words. On the morning of Naadam, you can see the difference in the gaze and movements of horses that have raced for many years, they get excited just like people do. Well-trained horses seem eager to race, driven by instinct and experience. Let us pray that all Mongolian riders, who delight Naadam crowds with their fast horses every year, will have their horses ride proudly and swiftly at the State Naadam.
