Oodarysh is a horse wrestling competition that requires great physical strength and agility, combined with the skill to control the horse. This is an ancient and popular type of contest among the Kyrgyz.
Competitions are held both individually and in teams. Men aged 19 and older are allowed to participate. Competitors are grouped into four weight categories: lightweight up to 60 kg, light weight up to 70 kg, middle weight up to 80 kg, and heavyweight over 80 kg.
The task for the riders is to pull or knock their "opponent" off the horse (it is also permissible to knock down the rider along with the horse).
The competitions take place on a flat area (circle) with a diameter of 30-40 meters for 15 minutes. If no participant achieves victory by the end of this time, a three-minute break is given, followed by an additional 5 minutes. If no one achieves victory during this time either, the result of the match is declared a "draw." If no one achieves victory by the end of the allotted time, the results of the competition are determined by points.
A clear victory is awarded to the one who has pulled or knocked the "opponent" off the horse during the match.
The outcome of the duel in this wrestling depends not only on the physical strength and agility of the rider but also on their ability to control the horse. Therefore, long before the competitions, the horse is carefully prepared for them.
The rules prohibit the oodaryshist from striking the "opponent" or their horse, grabbing the opponent by the head, face, neck, hair, or horse's equipment, twisting the opponent's arms or fingers, or throwing the reins onto the opponent's hands.
Oodarysh is contested for individual, individual-team, and team championships.
The emergence and development of oodarysh, like other equestrian games and sports, are linked to the nomadic lifestyle of the Kyrgyz, where the ability to control a horse in various conditions had significant practical and military importance.
Conducting oodarysh competitions does not require complex equipment and gear, making it widely accessible and the most popular form of equestrian sport. No small or large toyi (celebrations, weddings) in the villages and ails of the republic can take place without competitions in oodarysh.
