Pipariya village of Mandvi, Surat district, hosted a horse racing competition on the banks of the Tapi river, with more than 100 horses participating from across the state. The Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghvi, flagged off the competition. The event was organized by the Tiger Horse Association, as part of their efforts to keep horse racing alive.
The competition saw two categories, Nani Rawal and Moti Rawal, with horses running at speeds of 25 to 40 km. The jockey's job was to sit on the horse and hold the reins without moving. The judges not only judged the horse but also the jockey's movements. Horses named Udaan from Kutch, Pratap and Shivaji from Waghara in Bharuch, and Kavin from Balotra in Rajasthan were the center of attraction.
Winners of the first, second and third rank horses were honored with cash prizes and trophies, preserving the traditional sport of horse racing. Such competitions, held once a year, are a small effort to revive the sport that was once given importance during the reign of kings. The horse racing competition in Pipariya, Mandvi, was a step towards preserving India's cultural heritage.
