Sidst opdateret i december 9, 2023
Hvis du leder efter en sjov og usædvanlig måde at tilbringe din ferie i Californien, why not try struds ridning and racing?
Strudse er de største og tungeste fugle i verden, og de kan løbe hurtigere end de fleste heste.
They are also fascinating animals that have been domesticated for thousands of years.
I Californien, kan du finde strudsefarme, festivaler, og løb, der tilbyder en unik oplevelse for besøgende. Du kan se disse eksotiske væsner tæt på og endda ride på dem, hvis du tør.
Here are some of the best places to enjoy ostrich riding and racing in California.
Ostrich Riding in the US
Ostrich riding is a sport that involves sitting on the back of an ostrich and holding on to its feathers as it runs.
It can be a fun and thrilling activity for children who are brave enough to try it. But it is not recommended for adults or heavier riders who might hurt the animal.
Ostriches have a weight limit of around 86 kg (198 pund) and they need to be trained and handled with care.
I Californien, you can ride ostriches at some ostrich farms that offer tours and feedings as well.
For eksempel, you can visit the OstrichLand USA in Solvang, which is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. You can feed the ostriches, take pictures with them, and even hop on one for a short ride.
You can also check out the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch in Picacho, which is home to over 1,200 ostriches and other animals. You can feed the ostriches, pet the miniature donkeys, and ride the monster truck.
Another option is to ride ostriches at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio.
This is where you can also enjoy camel races, date shakes, musical shows, and other attractions during the annual Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival.
The fair runs in Februaryevery year and features classic rides, fried Twinkies, monster trucks, motocross, bull-riding, og mere.
Ostrich Racing in California
Ostrich racing is a sport that involves competing against each other while riding on the back of ostriches. Nogle gange vogne, saddles or wagons are used to ride the ostriches.
The rules are simple: udfordrer klatrer på ryggen af deres fugl, grab them by their feathers and ride them across the track. What makes this sport so entertaining is that ostriches are not easy to ride or control.
They will shake, hoppe, og forsøge at slippe af med deres ryttere, som ofte ender med at falde af og efterlade strudsen for selv at gennemføre løbeturen.
I Californien, you can watch or participate in ostrich races at some ostrich farms or festivals that host them regularly.
For eksempel, you can watch camel races at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio, where you can also see wild races of camels every afternoon for a full 10 days during February.
Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival
The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival is a 10-day celebration of the date palm harvest and the cultural heritage of California’s Coachella Valley.
It is held every year in February at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio, Californien.
The fair features a variety of attractions and entertainment for all ages, such as classic rides, fried Twinkies, monster trucks, motocross, bull-riding, og mere.
You can also explore the exhibits, competitions, and demonstrations that showcase the local arts, håndværk, and agriculture.
One of the highlights of the fair is the ostrich and camel races, where you can watch or join the fun.
You can see these exotic animals run at high speeds and even ride them yourself if you are feeling adventurous.
Ostrich racing is a sport that involves competing against each other while riding on the back of ostriches. Nogle gange vogne, saddles or wagons are used to ride the ostriches.
The rules are simple: udfordrer klatrer på ryggen af deres fugl, grab them by their feathers and ride them across the track. What makes this sport so entertaining is that ostriches are not easy to ride or control.
They will shake, hoppe, og forsøge at slippe af med deres ryttere, som ofte ender med at falde af og efterlade strudsen for selv at gennemføre løbeturen.
You can also enjoy the Arabian Nights Pageant, which is a musical production that showcases the history and legends of the Middle East.
You can witness the stories of Aladdin, Sinbad, and Scheherazade come to life on stage with colorful costumes, musik, and dance.
The history of Ostrich Farms in California
Ostrich riding in California has a long and curious history that dates back to the late 1800s.
It all started when an English naturalist named Charles Sketchley brought some ostriches from Africa to his farm near Anaheim, hoping to sell their feathers for the fashion industry.
Imidlertid, he soon discovered that the public was more interested in seeing and riding the ostriches than buying their plumes. He charged admission to his farm and made a profit from the curious visitors.
He later moved his farm to Griffith Park and built a railway to transport people from downtown Los Angeles.
His success inspired other ostrich farmers to open their own farms and attractions across Southern California.
One of the most famous was Edwin Cawston, who moved his farm from Norwalk to South Pasadena in 1895. His farm had over 100 ostriches and offered rides, løb, and souvenirs to the guests.
Another well-known ostrich farm was OstrichLand USA, which is located in between the towns of Buellton and Solvang, just off California State Route 246. It is home to over 100 ostriches and emus, which people can visit to feed.
The farm also sells ostrich-related products, such as feather dusters, ostrich eggs, ostrich jerky, ostrich oil, and other memorabilia.
Ostrich riding became a popular and unique activity for tourists and locals alike, until the demand for ostrich feathers declined and the farms closed down.
The last ostrich farm in Los Angeles closed in 1953, but the legacy of ostrich riding in California lives on in the old photos, postcards, and memories of those who experienced it.
Ostrich riding and racing are two ways to experience these amazing animals up close in California.
Imidlertid, before you decide to try any of these activities, make sure you do your research on how they are done safely and ethically for both humans and animals involved.
Ostrich riding and racing are not for the faint of heart, but they can be a wild and wacky adventure that you will never forget.
Din nr. 1 kilde til information om verden af sandsport og ørkeneventyrrejser. Vores artikler er resultatet af omfattende forskning, personlig erfaring, og vidensdeling inden for det globale sandboarding-fællesskab.
