The death of two jockey-children during a horse racing competition last Autumn drew public attention.

Protect the jockey-children-2013 consultative meeting was held at Government House on Thursday May 16th.

Officials from the Ministry for Human Development And Social Welfare, Ministry for Culture, Sport And Tourism, Ministry for Health, Ministry for Labor, Ministry of Industry And Agriculture, Ministry of Defense, NGOs, the female MP caucus, the Committee to Organize National Celebrations, the Federation of Mongolian Horse Racing Sport and Trainers, representatives of parents, care-takers and horse-trainers and horse owners attended the meeting.

During the meeting several topical issues about the protection jockey children`s lives and safety, while supporting the children”s passion to take part in horse-racing. The meeting also discussed the provision of children with the right to academic study, avoiding child labor exploitation and views on the concept of social responsibility, tendency and protection were exchanged.

Representatives of NGOs  raised the suggestion not to organize Spring and Autumn horseracing competitions.

The Federation of Mongolian Horse Racing Sport and Trainers (FMHRST) submitted a decision on March 28th not to hold any horse-racing competitions until June.

Participants agreed to conduct the horse racing with high security and with strict arrangement to protect against fatal accidents and serious injuries.

Some representatives claimed that some horse trainers hesitate to spend one million MNT for child safety equipment but instead will buy a racehorse for 20 million MNT.

Officials of the Ministry of Industry and Agriculture said that Mongolians used to traditionally train children from the ages of 5 and 6 to ride horse from ancient times. This is still a big part of the culture of nomads to bring up their children in this way. But there is a tendency to turn it down.

But participants were concerned that submitting a bill to regulate all these issues to Parliament will take at least a year to come into effect. Therefore they agree to take action to urge the issues to be solved before the National big celebration, Naadam.