History:
Marula is one of the oldest types of Georgian equestrian sports. Traditionally, horsemen competed by racing their horses over distances of 25-30 km. Such long-distance racing at high speed required great resilience from the horses. Therefore, the selection and preparation of horses for Marula began 2-3 months before the competition. Horses were trained for long distances to develop deftness and resilience, with the training distances gradually increased. This rigorous preparation demonstrated the remarkable endurance of Georgian horses, especially the Megrelian horses in west Georgia and Tushetian horses in east Georgia.
Rules:
The competition involves a race over a distance of 8-10 kilometers, starting in one village and finishing in another, with the route marked by lime and sawdust. Riders navigate through mountainous areas, ravines, gorges, and mountain rivers, making the terrain quite challenging. The route is fenced and spectators, as well as representatives, stand in groups every 100 meters. The horses, which are local breeds or mixed breeds, often race without saddles but must have a cover according to modern rules. Riders wear numbered shirts and national clothes, and helmets are mandatory. The event is judged by a team of referees, including a senior referee, a starting referee, and a side referee, with the chief referee overseeing the start and finish. The starting signal is given with a flag, and side referees mark the crossing of the side line. Medical care for riders and veterinary care for horses are available to ensure safety. The race starts at the signal from the starting referee, and the winning rider is celebrated with a standing ovation at the finish line. The competition's challenging terrain and the tradition of racing without saddles test the resilience and agility of both horses and riders.
