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SARGA.CO—Horse racing is generally synonymous with jockeys riding horses on a track. However, there is another discipline called harness racing, where the horse pulls a sulky or a lightweight two-wheeled carriage. This difference in race format means the rules and competition categories are different from regular horse racing. Here's an explanation!
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, harness racing originated from single carriages used for entertainment and recreation. Over time, this vehicle evolved into a U-shaped axle with two wheels and a seat at the end, and then began to be used in racing events.
Its popularity skyrocketed in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and a number of European countries.
In its development, harness racing uses a horse pulling a lightweight two-wheeled cart called a sulky. The simple, two-wheeled sulky is driven by a driver at high speed. This equestrian sport is still popular in New Zealand, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Austria, and Russia.
Pacer moves by swinging both legs on the same side of its body simultaneously.
Meanwhile, the trotter steps with its front left and rear right leg simultaneously, then alternates with its front right and rear left leg.
There are a number of fundamental differences between harness racing and regular horse racing. In horse racing, the horse rider is known as a jockey. Whereas in harness racing, that role is carried out by a driver who sits on a sulky attached to the back of the horse.
Summarized from US Trotting, a driver is in charge of directing and positioning the horse to perform optimally on the track. In addition, a driver must have quick reflexes, the hand strength to control the sulky, and accurate tactical decisions.
To become a driver, there are a number of special requirements, starting from passing written, medical, and practical exams. The license is given in stages. As experience increases, a driver can move up a level until they obtain a full or “A” license.
When the race takes place, the driver is also required to maintain the consistency of the horse's gait. If the horse starts to run in a gallop or uses all four legs in one step, the driver must immediately correct it. If not, they could be penalized.
This is as explained on the Harness Racing page, that stride consistency is an important factor in this equestrian sport.
In terms of gait, harness racing requires the horse to maintain a trot or pace, while regular horse racing relies on a gallop as the natural running style.
The equipment used is also different; harness racing uses a sulky, a special harness, reins, and a small whip as a signal. Meanwhile, in horse racing, the equipment needed includes a saddle, stirrups (footrests hanging on the saddle), reins, and a whip according to applicable rules.
The racing strategies are also different. In harness racing, the driver must maintain a consistent stride while adjusting the position of the sulky so it is not blocked by opponents. Meanwhile, in horse racing, the jockey is more focused on speed and applying strategies to move forward or overtake opponents.
In terms of the track, harness racing usually takes place on a special oval track with a dirt surface, while horse racing can be done on a flat track with various types of surfaces such as dirt tracks, turf tracks, or synthetic.
Quoting the Mittys page, horse racing distances range from 1,000 to 3,200 meters, while harness racing is usually competed at a distance of 1,600 to 2,700 meters.
Broadly speaking, harness racing emphasizes a combination of speed, gait control, and horse endurance during the race. Meanwhile, horse racing focuses more on the horse's endurance and speed to reach the finish line.
Summarized from the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association, the selection of race classes for horses is determined based on several categories, including:
This category is specifically for horses that have never won a certain number of races in a certain period. After passing this category, a horse can move up to the winners' category.
This category is divided into three groups: straight claimers or without additional conditions, claiming handicaps where the starting position is determined by the horse's claiming price, and conditioned claimers, which is a category with additional conditions such as the number of wins at a certain claiming price.
As the name suggests, this category can only be participated in by invitation. Usually, only the best horses can compete in the invitational category.
Stakes Races are the highest class in harness racing. In this category, a horse must be registered long before the race is held.
Harness racing in Indonesia remains relatively unfamiliar compared to traditional horse racing. However, in several regions across the country, there are local equestrian traditions that share similar concepts with harness racing.
For instance, in West Sumatra, there is a tradition known as Pacu Bugih or Draf Bogie, while in North Sulawesi, a similar practice is referred to as Bendi Kalaper.
Draf Bogie was not just an equestrian sport or a form of entertainment for the Minangkabau people, but also a tradition for nobles to find a prospective son-in-law. Now, this race survives as part of West Sumatra's cultural identity and is held annually.
The uniqueness of Draf Bogie lies in the use of a small cart to control the horse, similar to harness racing. It not only assesses speed; this horse race also emphasizes the harmony between the jockey and the horse in maintaining agility, stability, and stride consistency.
The race categories are divided into Bogie Baru with a distance of 2,400 meters and Bogie Usang with a distance of 3,200 meters. This event is often held in various areas in West Sumatra, such as Bukittinggi, Payakumbuh, Padang Panjang, and Batusangkar.
Most recently, a special Draf Bogie class was also competed in the Indonesia's Horse Racing Cup II event at the Kubu Gadang Horse Racing Field, Payakumbuh, West Sumatra. In addition, this event also presents 11 classes of horse racing based on age and height categories, thus opening up opportunities for the emergence of the best horses in the country..
Similar to Draf Bogie, Bendi Kalaper requires a jockey to control the horse from a small cart. The race distances typically range from 400 meters to 600 meters, and up to 800 meters.
Broadly speaking, harness racing emphasizes a combination of speed, gait control, and horse endurance during the race.
In Indonesia, the Draf Bogie and Bendi Kalaper tradition is a local reflection of harness racing, even though it doesn't have complete similarity. Besides that, it is proof that horse racing is not only about who is the fastest, but also about culture, harmony between the horse and jockey, and strategy on the track.
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