ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—  Fifty equestrians from around the world will be competing for a $20,000 title prize this week in Erbil’s first international jumping competition, which started Friday and will continue Saturday. 

Horse riders from Canada, France, Britain, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Libanon, UAE and Iraq have taken part in the event that is believed to attract spectators amid Kurdish New Year’s celebrations.

“There will be 42 male performers and 8 female, although the arrangers said they will try to have equal numbers of women in the competition for the coming years,” said Rudaw reporter Arsalan Abdullah. 

Abdullah said several renowned equestrians, including the Jordanian Hani Basharat and the Iraqi Walid Rashed will be competing for Erbil titles this year. He also added that the games are monitored by 9 international referees. 

Horse and rider combinations will jump fences consisting of poles inside Erbil’s Equestrian Centre, with penalties for knock-downs, refusals, falls, and exceeding the time limit. The horses must exhibit obedience, stamina, and nimbleness. 

Erbil’s international jumping competition was launched this year for the first time as arrangers are confident the event will expand and include other areas of competition and performances in the coming years.