ravikilpailu

Ravikilpailu, commonly known as harness racing, is a form of horse racing where the horses pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky. The driver sits in the sulky and guides the horse. In most forms of ravikilpailu, the horse must maintain a trot or a pace, and breaking gait (galloping) results in a penalty or disqualification. There are two main gaits used: the trot, where diagonal pairs of legs move forward together, and the pace, where lateral pairs of legs move forward together.

Ravikilpailu has a long history, with roots tracing back to the 17th century in Europe. It became particularly popular in the United States and Scandinavia. The sport requires specific breeds of horses, with Standardbreds being the dominant breed in North America and various trotting breeds prevalent in Europe. These horses are bred for their speed and ability to maintain a specific gait.

Races are typically run on oval tracks, with distances varying but often around 1600 meters or one mile. The sulky is designed to be lightweight and aerodynamic to minimize drag. Drivers employ various strategies, including pacing, stalking, and making decisive moves to gain an advantage. Betting is a significant aspect of ravikilpailu in many countries, with pari-mutuel betting being the most common system. The sport is governed by various national and international federations that set rules for racing, horse welfare, and drug testing.