The short track trotting race is part of the Voorschoten Horse Days and can be visited free of charge. The short course has a long history that goes back to the middle of the 16th century. These annual speed races in the streets of various North and South Holland towns are a unique tradition in the world and a number of places, including Voorschoten, have been added to the Inventory of Intangible Heritage of the Netherlands.
In the short track trotting competition, there are always two horses that trot against each other on a straight stretch of road over 300 meters, with their riders - the pikeurs - on the sulky behind them. A street race that requires the construction of two sand tracks. The horses trot on that sand. Fences will be placed all around for the safety of participants and the public. There is a cozy atmosphere and there are opportunities to place a bet.
There is a starting area where the combinations revolve around each other at the start of the race: whoever is first out of the box can already taste victory. Behind the finish is a blinded run-off area to slow down the horses. The horses can reach a speed of almost 60 kilometers per hour on this short trotting track.
The short course is a knockout race, which takes place over four rounds (detours) from which only the winners advance. The remaining four horses determine who wins the race in the final rounds. And whether your bet will give you an extra fun afternoon. Spectacular to see but it is much more fun to watch when you know how the sport and betting on horses works.
How does it work?
A maximum of 24 horses trot one against one and the first to win two rounds advances to the next round (orbit) until there is finally a final between two horses. The horse that wins that final has won the short track trotting event.
Walk around
With 24 horses, twelve horses remain in the second round. They fight against each other again. The six winners qualify for round three. The winners in the third round move on to the semi-finals. From the losers in the third round, one horse is drawn to the fourth round.
The participants take turns driving the stages of the final and the consolation final. Honorary and cash prizes will be made available for the highest ranked participants.
The distance
The horses start from a basic distance of 300 meters. When a horse on the short course has earned more than a certain amount, it will receive a starting handicap.
From 12,000 euros a handicap of five meters and at 24,000 euros the maximum handicap of 10 meters. Only when a student picker takes place on the sulky does a horse receive a five-meter exemption. Horses four years and older also receive an exemption of five meters.
At a trot
The horses must be in a trot during the race. A canter results in an elimination. The opponent only has to complete the ride in a trot to win the ride. The speed is not important here. Are both horses eliminated? Then the ride has to be done all over again.
The start
The start is spectacular and a good start is often all-important. The combinations make a 180-degree turn before taking off. When horses start from an equal distance, the horse in the right lane turns in front. Partly for this reason, the horses start in a different lane after each ride. The odd number first starts on the right and that is the other way around in the second ride.
At each start, "Get ready, on your marks, one, two, three done."
A combination may pass the starting posts from 'two'. If she does this too early, the starting light will change to white and she will be eliminated. The opponent only has to complete the ride at a trot to win.
The judges
The short course has four judges (referees). One judge supervises the start. Three are in different places in the middle of the track. They communicate through flags. A red flag is good, a white flag is bad. If a horse gets the white flag, it is eliminated. The winning lane is indicated by means of a red light.