HORSE RACING

Basotho ponies are an integral part of everyday life in Semonkong and Lesotho. This hybrid breed of the traditional Cape Horse is favoured for its stocky physical attributes, resilience and hard-working nature. While locals use them for everyday activities, such as the transport of people and goods, farming and livestock herding, we hire Basotho ponies from the Semonkong community to use as packhorses for our guided multi-day fishing expeditions and overnight pony trekking trails. 

Horse racing events are deeply ingrained in Basotho culture. They test the mettle of the horse and its jockey (more often than not, its owner). Blanket-cloaked supporters from far and wide stand on the sidelines, placing bets and encouraging their favourites – their jubilant cheers and applause echo through the frosty air as the horses thunder along a plateau that acts as a temporary racecourse track. The winner takes home prize money (that may be equivalent to a month’s salary) and the honour of being the fastest in town. The greater the prize money, the bigger the crowd. Traditional music, dance and food complement the sporting action back in town to create a festive atmosphere that lingers long after the final race.

Horse racing season in Lesotho takes place monthly during winter, with the biggest horse races taking place on the weekend of King Letsie III’s birthday around mid-July, and during Independence Day (4th October) weekend – weather permitting and venue dependent. If there hasn’t been too much recent snowfall, the Semonkong Racing Committee organises a horse race on the last Saturday of the month each winter – get in touch to ask us about upcoming dates.