Naadam, the greatest national festival in Mongolia, has been celebrated since the times of Genghis Khan. It starts with a colorful procession in Ulan Bator followed by the main ceremonies in the Grande Stadium. Horseracing is the main event. The typical Naadam race route is 20-35 km. The race is a test for the horses, so children are made the jockeys since their weight and riding skills do little to influence the score. Hundreds of contestants ride through the steppe until one rider decides to break for the finish line and the rest of the group follows after. The first five to finish are showered with koumiss, which is poured on the head and the hindquarters of the horse. Then after a victory lap around the stadium, the winners receive presents and laudatory poems read in their honor. The names of the winners will be on everyone’s lips – at least until the following year.