Nice and unpredictable world of the Great American Ostrich Races
Well It may seem hard tobelieve it but this sport of ostrich racing has a a very long history.
A statue of Egyptian queen Arsinoe II riding an ostrich was discovered in an ancient tomb, and racing the birds is a fairly common practice in parts of Africa.
That's not to say it's easy. Ostriches can reach speeds of over 43 mph and their long legs can cover up to 16ft in a single stride.
When ostrich racing featured in Disney fantasy film Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time the filmmakers had to hire Moroccan horse jockeys as stuntmen.
In the U.S., the Chandler Ostrich Festival in Arizona celebrated its 25th year this weekend. Ostrich racing is a major part of the festival and the runs were as eventful and crazy as usual.
As the festival website asks: 'When was the last time you witnessed an ostrich race? If you haven’t yet experienced it, you must make it a point to attend this hilarious and unpredictable event. Ostrich races will captivate audiences with their crazy riders and unexpected animal behavior.'
A statue of Egyptian queen Arsinoe II riding an ostrich was discovered in an ancient tomb, and racing the birds is a fairly common practice in parts of Africa.
That's not to say it's easy. Ostriches can reach speeds of over 43 mph and their long legs can cover up to 16ft in a single stride.
When ostrich racing featured in Disney fantasy film Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time the filmmakers had to hire Moroccan horse jockeys as stuntmen.
In the U.S., the Chandler Ostrich Festival in Arizona celebrated its 25th year this weekend. Ostrich racing is a major part of the festival and the runs were as eventful and crazy as usual.
As the festival website asks: 'When was the last time you witnessed an ostrich race? If you haven’t yet experienced it, you must make it a point to attend this hilarious and unpredictable event. Ostrich races will captivate audiences with their crazy riders and unexpected animal behavior.'
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Rivals: Dustin Murley, left, and Jessey Sisson,
right, race on their ostriches during the annual Ostrich Festival in
Chandler, Arizona March 10, 2013
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Going: Dustin Murley in the process of falling off his charge
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Going: Murley gets closer to the ground
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Video: Chariots of Fire Ostrich Race, March 9, 2013
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Gone: Murley is unseated by his ostrich
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Jessey Sisson sits on his ostrich as he prepares to race
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Sisson trots about on his bird
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Young spectators looked puzzled during the Ostrich Festival
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Ostrich jockeys examine the birds in their pens
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Riders and their ostriches leave the gate
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