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We Preserve Don Cossack Traditions

On October 7, 2017, the Museum-Reserve of M.A.Sholokhov will take part in the equestrian competitions dedicated to Protection of the Holy Virgin. The competitions will take place from 11.00 to 14.00, in Dulyonkov Village of the Bokovsky District, the Rostov Region.

The riding section students and their teachers will show trick riding techniques which Cossacks skillfully used in battle to intimidate the enemy.

One of the horses of the Museum-Reserve will race among the Don horse breeds thus showing the results of the great work carried out by the Museum to restore the historical breed. “Donchak” (Don horse) is characterized as a fast, maneuverable and unpretentious horse used as a warhorse and was consigned to the Russian army. Ataman Matvey Ivanovich Platov on the Don horse defeated the troops of Napoleon, and Semyon Mikhailovich Budyonny bred his famous “Budyonnovskaya” horse from the Don horse breed.

During the competition, a field kitchen will work and offer traditional Cossack dishes: borshch, field porridge, cakes, warm stewed fruit and hot tea of fragrant Don herbs.

A big choice of Cossack souvenirs will be offered to the spectators and performers to buy: Cossack swords and whips, field shirts and papakhas, women’s colourful handkerchiefs and shawls, and many other things.

Natalya Trofimenko