The small village of Shabdan in Kyrgyzstan’s Chuy Valley used to be inhabited predominantly by ethnic Russians. But with many having moved to Russia and others marrying Kyrgyz partners, ethnic divisions here have become less distinct
The traditional Kyrgyz sport of kok-boru, in which horsemen fight to grab a dead goat, is popular and prestigious, and can be lucrative for top riders. But the game can also bring devastating injuries to the players, and deadly ones to their horses
Kok-boru is a rough and rowdy competition in which riders fight to grab a dead goat. It’s a national sport in Kyrgyzstan, and the horses involved are highly prized