Barbara Ryckewaert

A unique kind of horse race called Ban’ei is standing every weeks in the city of Obihiro, Hokkaido. The participants of this race are massive draft horses (Percheron, Breton, Belgian breeds) pulling some heavy sleds (from 450 kg to 1 ton) up sand ramps drived by jockeys who are standing up on each sled. There are two sand ramps to cross on a 200 metres (660 ft) straight track. Between each race the sand track is repaired manually.

(Unfortunately I couldn’t be closer from the track, neither meet the participants, the racecourse was not accessible for the public due to the Covid-19)