8. LJUBICEVO EQUESTRIAN GAMES

Ljubicevo is the oldest horse farm in Serbia, founded in 1853 on the pastures around the Morava river. According to certain records, those grounds were used for breeding horses in the organized manner and for the needs of armies ever since the 15th century.

The assumption is that the farm was the result of the love of Princess Lljubica for their oldest son Milan, who was often sick, and in attempt to create a peaceful resting place, away from Belgrade. It was after her that the facility was named Ljubicevo. In the early 20th century, it was the horse breeding institution of the European rank, with 500 heads of thoroughbreds. Ljubicevac, Castor, Remoz are but a few of those horses, owners of the Triple Crown.

The Ljubicevo equestrian Games were started in 1964, and ever since Pozarevac and its vicinity turn into the center of equestrian sport and skills traditionally will be held from 31.08. to 2.09. The town is permeated by carnival mood, and the excitement peaks when the riders mount the four-legged beauties and start competing at the local hippodrome.

This festival for all the citizens of Pozarevac and especially for those who love equestrian sports. At that time, the symbolic opening of the Pozarevac city gates marks the beginning of the tourist and sport event called “Ljubicevo equestrian games”. Starting with the ceremonial parade of all the participants, and all the way until the last competition, the racecourse is filled with spectators cheering their favorites on. The program of these games is filled with local customs, tradition and culture, and includes the following events:

• unique Ljubicevo multi-disciplinary tournament (locally known as “viseboj”),
• children initial exercise in overcoming equestrian skills,
• horse exhibition,
• hurdle horse races,
• endurance riding,
• gallop and trotter races.

Ljubicevo multi-disciplinary tournament is a unique and most dynamic competition of brave young men who are riding specially selected horses and competing in five traditional disciplines:

• saber-cutting,
• hitting target with a spear, 
• courier riding,
• hitting target with an arrow
• and hitting target with a mace.

The winner of this competition is called a knight and he receives a financial award, a cup, a mantle and a saber. Unique saber is made especially for the knight of Ljubicevo, and is transmitted from the previous winner to the next. Each knight honorably keeps this saber until the next year’s tournament. The knights’ credo engraved on the sabre says: “Never take me out without a reason! Never put me back into the sheath without honor!” Every year, Pozarevac gets its hero – the knight of Ljubicevo. Ljubicevo equestrian events are organized by the Tourist Organization of Pozarevac, and the “Knez Mihailo” riders club, under the sponsorship of the city of Pozarevac.