Whilst the races are a colourful and fun event for spectators, there is prestige as well as prizes at stake for the participants who take matters very seriously. The racing buffalo go through training regimes for the festival and are placed on special diets to ensure they are in prime race condition. Races take place over a course of just over 100 metres long that is set up in front of Chonburi city hall. On the main race day, several races take place in various categories with each event being a test of balance and agility for the riders as well as the speed of the buffalo. The jockeys, who come from the local community, ride the buffalo bareback and guide it down the course using reins and a whip.