Riders wear thick padded coats and tall hats, and they ride some of the toughest and most agile horses in Central Asia. The horses are trained specially for the game — they have to be strong enough to push through a tight group of other horses, quick enough to sprint, and calm enough not to panic in the chaos of the competition.
Buzkashi requires extraordinary riding skill. Players must control their horse with their legs and body weight, because their hands are often busy trying to grab the object or hold onto it. A good buzkashi player can lean so far out of the saddle that their head is almost at knee level — while galloping at full speed.
Buzkashi games are festive occasions. Spectators cheer from the sidelines, and successful players are celebrated as heroes. At big festivals in Tajikistan, matches can go on for hours. The game is a reminder of the long tradition of horsemanship in Central Asia, where horses have been central to life and culture for thousands of years.