Naadam, a summer celebration of Mongolian held regularly since 1639. The internationally recognized celebration is referred to locally as the “Three Games of Men,” given its showcase of wrestling, archery and horse racing. These sports symbolize strength, wisdom and courage, respectively.

In the races, horses run courses of 12 to 26 kilometers  across the steppe, depending on the animal’s age. And on their backs it is young boys and girls, typically between the ages of 6 and 13, whose courage is on display.

Child jockeys — preferred because they do not weigh down horses — are integral to Mongolian horse racing. Mongolian law now stipulates that jockeys competing at Naadam should be no younger than 8 — despite the legal working age being 16 — and forbids racing and long-distance training during winter. But rights activists say these regulations are frequently flouted.

As of 2020, 13,100 children were officially registered as jockeys with the Agency of Family, Child and Youth Development, a government implementing agency. Between 1990 and 2019, 40 children died while racing horses. Since early 2021, according to the agency, six children have been killed and nearly 300 injured after falling off a horse during races.

The number of races also appears to have increased. Since the early 2000s, more and more races are organized after the Lunar New Year in February. Winter and spring horse racing, which take place in subzero temperatures, are considered even riskier, and in 2019, following legal action by seven civil society groups, the Mongolian government formally banned horse racing and related training between November and May.

Between 10-20 percent of paid child jockeys enter the profession because their families are poor.