KOK BARU, KYRGYZSTAN
Kok Baru is a traditional and fiercely competitive Kyrgyz horseback game in which teams of riders compete to seize a goat carcass or stuffed dummy and carry it to the scoring goal.
Eyeing up the goal before the match begins
An impromptu match between local shepherds accompanied by their dogs.
The first thing is to pick up the carcass, or as in this case, a stuffed dummy.
The dummy is held by the rider's leg and the race is on to place it in the goal.
The dogs love the game and seem to understand the rules.
If the dummy is dropped there is a scrabble to retrieve it.
If the dummy is dropped there is a scrabble to retrieve it.
After the game the lads demonstrated their skills by picking up money from a galloping horse.
The formal game at the World Nomad Games 2026 - USA vs Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan vs Kazakstan played with a real goat carcass.
A ferocious battle round the goal.
Goal!