Ulak-Tartysh (goat wrestling) is a traditional equestrian sport where riders compete for the carcass of a goat (ulak). The competitions in ulak-tartysh are held on an open field, which is a rectangle measuring 500 to 1000 meters in length and 250 to 500 meters in width.
On the field, there is a finish circle (mara) with a diameter of 2 meters, a starting line located near the finish circle where teams of 2 to 6 people line up, and a spot where a headless goat with its limbs cut off at the wrists is placed, located 400-500 meters from the finish circle. The weight of the carcass is 30-40 kg, sometimes more.
At the signal from the judge, the teams rush towards the goat to seize it and drag it to the finish circle. Each team aims to throw the goat into this circle, preventing the "opponent" from doing so. The game is played for 30 minutes using a mixed Olympic system with additional games to determine the ranking of each participating team.
The team that throws the goat into the finish circle (mara) the most times during the next "thirty minutes" is declared the winner.
During the competition, a participant can take the goat from the "opponent" using permitted methods. Mutual assistance within the team is allowed when the competition is team-based, while in individual competitions, assistance is prohibited.
The game is very dynamic and requires excellent horse management skills, agility, and since it involves taking the goat from the "opponent," the athlete must possess significant physical strength.
To conduct the game properly, it is essential to master the tactics of coordinated and agreed actions among all team members.
Ulak-tartysh has been a part of the culture for a long time and until recent years did not have any regulations regarding participation in the competition. For example, in the south of Kyrgyzstan, a calf is used instead of a goat, while in the north, a goat is used.
During the competitions, anyone from the large crowd of spectators and fans could join the struggle for the goat. Participants could also leave the competition field, change their horse, or hand it over to another jockey who wished to join the fight.
Ulak-tartysh rightfully occupies one of the leading places among national sports.
Demonstrations of national sports and folk games were showcased in Moscow in the autumn of 1958 as part of the decade of Kyrgyz art and literature.
