Name: Horse racing
Start: 2019-06-09T00:00:00-10:00
End: 2019-08-04T23:59:59-10:00
Location: Hippodrome de Pirae

This event has passed.

Horse racing

9 June 2019 - 4 August 2019

Venue

Hippodrome de Pirae

Pirae
Pirae, Polynésie Française

Contact

: Association Hippique et d’encouragement à l’élevage de Polynésie Française; 87 77 01 67; associationhippique-pf@outlook.fr; Site Association Hippique et d’encouragement à l’élevage de Polynésie Française

HEIVA HORSE RACES

In 2018, the Association for horse riding and breeding promotion in French Polynesia (AHEE), which was set up in 1913, was up and running again and reconnected with a historical past where horse races were one of the main events of the Heiva festivities of yesteryear. It is therefore a real pleasure to be able to announce to the public that horse racing is back again: this intense and cordial sport where riders and horses are one, striding on a green track, trying to outrun their competitors, both running towards the victory.

The Pirae race track was created in 12 October 1955 by Charles Van den Broek d’Obrenan. The races take place in this magnificent rustic setting. At that time, the Polynesian ‘aito would ride bareback, wearing pareu, with bare feet and flower crowns. While we may have lost a bit of such cachet today because of security requirements, the enthusiasm and virtuosity of the Polynesians are still there for these one-ofa-kind colourful races.

Horses from New Zealand and from Polynesia will compete. This is a moment to share in family and be amazed by the power of the horses and the merry waltz of multicoloured silk jerseys.

Program for each racing day:

• Saddle gallop race with horses born in Tahiti, start in starting gates.
• Harness trotting race with horses imported from New Zealand, start with auto-start.
• Saddle gallop race with horses imported from New Zealand, start in starting gates.
• Harness amble race with horses imported from New Zealand, start with auto-start.

Gallop race without saddle, with horses born in Polynesia riders wearing pareu and flower crowns, start flag.

Exceptionally this year, horses and jockeys from the island of Rurutu, who are used to run on the beach will take part in this race and compete with the horses and jockeys from Tahiti.