The Mongolian Horseback Archery Competition: A Journey Through Time
The Mongolian Horseback Archery Competition took place just outside Ulaanbaatar, in the historic Genghis Khan Village. Nestled between towering mountain ridges, the venue transported competitors back in time, with wild horses roaming freely and eagles soaring overhead—a scene seemingly untouched for the last 1,000 years.
Staying in traditional yurts, competitors immersed themselves in Mongolian heritage. The horses still wore rawhide bridles, a practice unchanged for centuries, adding to the authenticity of this cultural experience. Evenings were enriched with live performances by musicians, contortionists, and dancers, further deepening the connection to Mongolia’s vibrant traditions.
Beyond the competition, we explored museums and the iconic Genghis Khan Monument, which houses a detailed 10,000-year historical timeline of Mongolian evolution.
The Horseback Archery competition itself was intense. Though Mongolian horses are smaller, they are remarkably fast. For context, the Korean 5-shot event over 150m has a global standard time of 23 seconds—in Mongolia, the cut-off is just 14 seconds. I selected a highly trained Mongolian military horse, mastering both controlled and high-speed runs.
This unforgettable Horseback Archery experience left a lasting impression. Mongolia’s rich heritage and elite-level competition ensure that we will return.
