Games & jousting on horseback

Since ancient times, often for the sole benefit of the elite, the horse has offered mankind its strength and speed. During competitions, riders and drivers have selected the best animals. They have taken on tough opponents and thrilled the crowds that have come to admire them. Alone against all, in duels or in teams, in a field lined with lices or on open ground, they pushed back the limits of the game, even if it meant risking their lives.

The exhibition is divided into three parts, highlighting the origins of the Olympic and Panhellenic Games. Martial games, tournaments, jousts, and carousels showcase various playful training techniques for warfare over a broad period ranging from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Finally, the third section presents the most popular team games: polo, pãto (horse-ball), and buzkashi.