Ancient equestrian games

Horse, wreath, dirndl and festive atmosphere

When the horsemen's song is heard, it is church day, and this is celebrated in a special way in the Gailtal valley: with the Kufenstechen. The wood engraving from 1880 also shows a horsewoman.(Bild: Hörmann GailtalMuseum)

Riding games in Carinthia at Whitsun go way back into history: in Gurktal it's about driving out the plague and a cool kiss, in Gailtal it's about the runner and the wreath.

"Heit bin i a Gailtåler Reiter, weit uma da schneidigste Bua. This time I'll get the wreath and tomorrow I'll get the diandle."