Er Enish

Kirghiz stamp featuring an oodarysh match

Er enish (Kyrgyz : Эр эңиш), or Oodarysh, is a traditional kyrgyz equestrian sport. It is a kind of horseback wrestling.

The rules allow dangerous holds, such as holding the ribs, arm muscles as well as twistjoints. The horse's ability is as important as the rider's in this kind of wrestling. Horses have to be heavy and strong, and of impeccable submission.^[1] Er enish is part of the Worldwide Nomad Games' disciplines.

Characteristics

During official competitions, the rules allow participation of more than 19 years old wrestlers holding a medical certification. Access to competitions might be allowed to 18 years old sportsmen provided that they have excellent physical conditions. Sportsmen are divided in 3 caterogies : up to 70 kg, from 70 to 90 kg, and more than 90 kg.

Er Enish needs a flat, clear ground; the sport is played in a 30 m diameter circle, under supervision of a mounted referee.

An Er enish confrontation has a mean duration of 6 minutes, but the game stops in case one of the wrestlers of a horse is wounded. In that case, a 2 minutes break is given to the wounded wrestler for a medical examination, then he has to go back wrestling, otherwise the victory is granted to his opponent. During the confrontation, the referee gives points to each wrestler for each hold or fault occurring. At the end of the game, the total amount of points decides the winner; in case of equal scores, an extra 2 minutes round is given to decide between the opponents. Points are given to each opponent according to the following rules:

• If a wrestler keeps a hold on the opponent's horse during 3 seconds, he earns 1 point,
• If a wrestler keeps a hols on his opponent during 3 seconds, he earns 1 point,
• When a wrestler manages to unbalance his opponent, so that he has to hold his horse in order not to fall, he earns 2 points,
• When a wrestler manages to hold his opponent's hand in his back without unseating him, he earns 2 points,
• When a wrestler tries to avoid his opponent's hold, he receives a warning for passiveness, and his opponent earns 1 point,
• If a wrestler holds the opponent's horse by the reins, he receives a warning, and his opponent earns 1 point,
• When a wrestler manages to make his opponent falling from his horse, he earns 4 points.

The game can also be played with teams : the total cumulated score of the team decides its ranking in the competition.

Some moves are not allowed, such as kicks, punches and whiplashes, holds on the figure or on the hair, finger twisting, and so on.^[2]

Origins

Er enish is quoted in the Epic of Manas.^[3]

References

1. Description of Er Enish on worldnomadgames.com in English
2. Explanatory video of Physical Culture and Sports Bureau of Kyrgyz Republic published for 2014 Worldwide Nomad Games
3. Fragment of the Epic of Manas