Competitors and judge in the Kukhbar competition, Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia

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The Eagle Festival takes place in the fall in Olgii, Western, Mongolia and the eagle hunters come from miles around to participate in the competitions including: best Kazakh costume, eagle and horse harness; fastest return to hunter after release; archery; camel races; and Shyrga Tartu or eagle returning to a lure towed behind a horse. The Kukhbar competition is very popular. In it two competitors battle on horseback to gain control of a goat skin through several rounds of one on one competition, watched carefully by a referee. The overall winner is the one who captures the goat skin without losing hold of it or falling off his horse.

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Size: 5000px × 3333px
Location: Eagle Festival, Olgii, Western Mongolia
Photo credit: © Terry Allen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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