Redefining horseplay: Child jockeys race in Indonesia for cash, cows

Dec 17, 2012

Redefining horseplay: Child jockeys race in Indonesia for cash, cows

Stokely Baksh 0 Comment World Beawiharta, child jockeys, horse racing, Indonesia, Reuters

In Indonesia, dozens of child jockeys — some as young as eight — competitively race at a track outside of Bima for prizes, which includes two cows at the group level and a grand prize of one million rupiah or $100. “This year, the races near Bima lasted for 11 days and attracted nearly 600 horses, many from the nearby islands of Sumba, Bali, Lombok and Flores,” wrote Beawiharta of Reuters.

Photos taken by Beawiharta. Read the full article here.

: Endiansyah Mohammad (C) warms up his horse on Kalaki beach outside Bima. Dozens of child jockeys, some as young as eight-years-old take part in the races. Picture taken November 17, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: A child jockey walks on the track at Panda racecourse outside Bima. Picture taken November 17, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: Child jockeys race their horses during a final race at Panda horsetrack outside Bima. Picture taken November 17, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: Child jockeys race their horses at a racetrack outside Bima. Dozens of child jockeys, some as young as eight-years-old take part in the races. Picture taken November 17, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: A gambler collects his money after a win on a horse race at a racetrack outside Bima. Picture taken November 17, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: Endiansyah Mohammad (L) chats with friends before a race at Panda racetrack outside Bima. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: Child jockey Herman Sarifudin is held by his father Herman as walks to the starting gates before a race at a track outside Bima. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: A child jockey waits in the starting gates before a horse race outside Bima. The chairman of the races’ organizing team, Hajji Sukri, denies that there is any danger to the children saying they are all skilful riders and none has been killed or seriously hurt. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: Spectators cheer during a race at Panda racetrack, outside Bima, November 18, 2012. Involving nearly 600 horses, races take place around a dusty, oval track of nearly one mile. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: A child jockey Herman Sarifudin prays before a horse race outside Bima. Picture taken November 17, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: A child jockey Herman Sarifudin is lifted up by his father in the starting gates before a horse race outside Bima. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: Child jockeys sit inside a starting gate before a race at a track outside Bima, November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: The foot of child jockey is seen as he sits on his horse at Panda racetrack outside Bima. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: A child jockey hugs his horse after finishing a race at Panda racetrack outside Bima. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: Horses race at Panda racetrack, outside Bima. Dozens of child jockeys, some as young as eight-years-old take part in the races. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: Child jockeys race their horses at a racetrack outside Bima. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: Child jockeys race their horses at a racetrack outside Bima. The reward, for the winner is a handful of cash for his family, and glory for the jockey. The grand prize is one million rupiah ($100). Those who win their groups get two cows. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: A child jockey raises his hand after winning a race at Panda racetrack, outside Bima. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: A child jockey sits on his horse after a race at Panda racetrack outside Bima. The chairman of the races’ organizing team, Hajji Sukri, denies that there is any danger to the children saying they are all skilful riders and none has been killed or seriously hurt. Picture taken November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: A man walks with his horses after washing them following a race at Kalaki beach on the outskirts Bima, on Indonesia’s Sumbawa island, November 18, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: Endiansyah Mohammad (C) plays with his friends at his school in Dompu. Dozens of child jockeys, some as young as eight-years-old take part in the races. Picture taken November 20, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

: Endiansyah Mohammad (L) talks to his teacher during class in Dompu. Dozens of child jockeys, some as young as eight-years-old take part in the races. Picture taken November 20, 2012. (Beawiharta/Reuters)

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