“We heard that your horse has won a lot of championships. Can we have a look?” “I'm looking forward to competing with you and your horse.” Bailian, a racehorse owned by farmer Duljiafu in Bohu County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang, won three championships. Duljiafu’s friends congratulated him on the phone.

Photo shows Duljiafu’s horse Bailian won the championship of the Xihai Longma Culture and Art Festival and the eighth "Bosten Cup" horse racing competition in Bohu County. (Photo by Nian Lei)

Duljiafu’s horse Bailian participated in the Zouma competition (a competition that requires horses to walk smoothly and at high speed on the racing track) of the “Bosten Cup” horse racing competition, which is held in the eighth session. It is an important part of the Xihai Longma Culture and Art Festival in Bohu County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang.

“Horse races are being held all over Xinjiang this year, while Bailian is at its peak. It will win more and more championships, and its value will also keep rising.” Someone offered a high price to buy Duljiafu’s horse, but Duljiafu decidedly refused. “Bailian has excellent genes, and it can still be a stallion after retirement, while others have to pay for breeding their horses.”

Photo shows Duljiafu's horse, "Bailian", gallops on the field. (Photo by Nian Lei)

Duljiafu, a villager from Wutuarele Village of Wulanzaigesen Township in Bohu County, is confident that his horse can win the championship, “This horse runs very fast. I bought it after investigating in many places.” Since junior high school, Duljiafu has been riding horses to herd, and has a deep affection for horses. And now, buying horses is the biggest expense for his family.

In the winter of 2018, Bohu County developed winter tourism, so farmers and herdsmen became busy in the winter. Duljiafu took a fancy to the horse-drawn sleigh project in the Dahekou scenic area. “Our local horses have good endurance and a lower center of gravity, which is suitable for walking on ice.” Duljiafu teamed up with several villagers to take over this project. “Many people lined up for the sleigh, and I made over 50,000 yuan in a winter.” It makes him see the great potential of breeding horses for tourism.

On February 18, 2023, Duljiafu took his horse to the second Desert Culture Tourism Festival in Bohu County, where tourists rode horses through the sand dunes. “I will also take my horse to the desert cross race on March 26, 2023.” Various events have given Duljiafu's horse more room to play. He registered and established the Yamat Ridding Club in Bohu County, intending to use their idle land to build a race course, carry out horse riding performances, and provide riding courses. “I think that tourism must be very popular in 2023. So I have already discussed with a herdsman in Hejing County to rent his grassland this summer, and engage in horse riding business near the Bayanbulak scenic area, which will definitely earn money.”

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