Regional competitions and the Russian Cup in tentpegging (a type of equestrian sport) will be held on June 1 and 2 at the demonstration circle of the Center for National Equestrian Traditions at VDNKh.
“Spectators will enjoy spectacular competitions among the best athletes in the country. Athletes will demonstrate their skills in various programs. The main exercise of the tournament is hitting pegs. The athlete must hit targets in the form of pegs (stakes) installed on the ground with a spear or sword at maximum speed. Pegs 30 cm high and 4–6 cm wide are dug into the ground at an angle. The rider's task is not only to hit the target, but also to lift the peg,” - says the message on the VDNKh website.
Athletes will also need to demonstrate their skills in removing rings with a spear and chopping lemons or oranges with a sword, suspended on a stand.
The results of the Russian Cup will be taken into account when selecting a team that will represent the country at the International Tentpegging Competitions. This tournament will be held at VDNKh from July 9 to 14 as part of the I Festival of National Equestrian Sports.
Tentpegging is a type of equestrian sport that has been known for a long time. It includes a set of competitions using various types of sports weapons.
“In cavalry practice, such games as tentpegging have been present for a very long time. At first, the game was popular in Asia, and then it quickly spread to the European cavalry. Similar exercises were also present in traditional Cossack jigitovka. Since tentpegging, thanks to the cavalry, became widespread as the most popular game of weapon possession,then by the end of the 19th century it was recognized as a sports discipline,” - the message says.
This sport has been developing in Russia since 2013.