FIRST WINGED HEART OF RUSSIA CHAMPIONSHIP FOR RUSSIAN TROIKAS ATTRACTS CAPACITY CROWD AT MOSCOW STUD FARM NO 1

On 14 August 2021, Moscow Stud farm No 1 hosted the first championship for Russian troikas, called Winged Heart of Russia. The event attracted a capacity crowd, bringing together more than 500 industry professionals and carriage driving enthusiasts. The event was organised by the Rosplemkonzavod Association, PJSC Acron, Moscow Stud Farm No 1, and the Society of Carriage Driving Enthusiasts.

Seven troikas from Moscow, Vladimir, and Kostroma regions competed in route driving with elements of figure driving and obstacles imitating city driving. The field was lined with twelve obstacles consisting of twenty cones with balls. Knocking off a ball resulted in penalty points for the participants. In addition, each troika had to demonstrate a signature style for the horses, the carriage, the driver’s clothes, and the supporting music. The champion was determined by adding the scores across two disciplines, while team style was designated as a separate classification.

Three troikas completed the route without errors. Acron's troika, the Orlov Trotters Kavalergard, Romeo, and Incognito, driven by master Leonid Smagliy, was named the absolute champion. Second prize was shared by the Moscow Stud Farm No 1 troika driven by Alexander Kaurkovsky (Orlov Trotters Grenadier, Sopot, and Zhelanny) and the troika from Elena and Alexander Dyatlov carriage and sledge club, driven by Alexander Dyatlov (Belarusian coach horses Lunatik, Solfeggio, and Solomon). Third place went to the troika from the Kostroma Region Hippodrome Sports School, driven by master rider Evgeny Morozov (Russian Trotters Goboy Lok, Ferz Lok, and Pifagor).

The audience watched seven mini-performances, applauded enthusiastically for each team, and followed with bated breath the tray-carrying exercise, in which a tray with glasses and a bottle of water had to be carried on a troika without spilling a drop. The panel of judges, headed by Director of National Horse Breeding Research Institute (VNIIK) Alexander Zaytsev, studied how each troika completed the route, as well as their driving style and artistry.

Master driver Alexander Pankov and head horse Aleksandrit made a circle of honour in front of the stands with the famous troika that opened the Vesti news programme for almost ten years. The audience cheered when the Presidential Regiment’s Cavalry Escort demonstrated its mounted drills. The event also hosted a dressage test for Orlov Trotters, a fashion show of hats for special occasions from Lilia Gureeva, and a farmer’s market.

Guests of honour included the Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Head of the Embassy of Finland in Russia Marja Koskela; Head of the Uspenskoe Territorial Administration in Moscow region’s Odintsovo district Vladimir Goryaev; Director of National Horse Breeding Research Institute (VNIIK) Alexander Zaytsev; Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Orlov Trotter Breeders and Owners Aisa Baziev.

‘Equestrian professionals across the industry, from horse breeders and drivers to carriage driving enthusiasts and anyone else who cares about the history of Russia and its traditions, all care about preserving the troika. It’s a national symbol of Russia known all over the world’, said Rosplemkonzavod General Director Igor Bochkarev.

Marina Velikanova, President of the Society of Carriage Driving Enthusiasts, was glad to see broad participation at the event. ‘The colourful, relaxed format of the tournament made it possible to significantly expand the number of participants and bring the art of the Russian troika to a new level. Our goal is to preserve the Russian troika and to promote the equestrian arts in Russia’.

Director of Moscow Stud Farm No. 1 Yury Prokhorov noted that the tournament was unique. ‘The championship was open to any type of troika, including prize, parade, and working teams. The troika drivers competed on their ability to control the carriage on the obstacle course, which was designed to mimic city driving conditions, and the whole event was calculated to showcase the beauty and originality of the Russian troika. The audience reaction was the best reward for our master drivers’.

The Winged Heart of Russia troika championship was a definite success, demonstrating how such family-friendly events can promote the industry and increase public awareness of historical and cultural values.