Vietnam hosts inaugural cross-country horse riding tournament in Lam Dong

The inaugural Vietnam Cross Country Amateur Challenge 2025 took place at the Thien Ma Madagui horse and greyhound racing complex in Da Huoai Commune.

The event was organized by Thien Ma Madagui Racing JSC, with total prize money of VND1.5 billion (over US$57,000).

Riders and their horses competed on a 1,800-meter cross-country course, testing speed, endurance, and teamwork between the riders and horses.

Spectators watched with excitement as the horses galloped, sprinted, and cleared obstacles under the riders’ skillful control.

The competition was free for the public to attend, aiming to promote equestrian sports and inspire community engagement.

Organizers said the event sought to promote equestrian sports in Vietnam, position Madagui as a new national destination for leisure and competitive horse riding, and support Vietnam’s athletic development for the 35th Southeast Asian Games.

The tournament also marked the re-launch of the Thien Ma Madagui horse and greyhound racing complex, a project approved by the Vietnamese government to include legal betting activities.

With a total investment of VND1.548 trillion ($59 million), the Thien Ma Madagui horse and greyhound racing complex is among 12 key projects recognized by the Lam Dong People’s Committee in June last year, as part of the province’s development strategy for 2021-30, with a vision toward 2050.

The Thien Ma Madagui project had been in partial development since 2011 but initially did not include betting services.

After conducting 15 pilot race events, Thien Ma Madagui Racing JSC halted all racing and betting activities on May 7, 2018, in compliance with existing regulations.

Once completed, the project is expected to employ around 3,000 people and contribute trillions of Vietnamese dong in annual tax revenue, diversifying tourism products in Lam Dong. [VND1 trillion = $38 million]