Javelins on horseback - a jereed match in pictures

The sport is a traditional Turkish equestrian team game

Players and horses line up before the Turkish Javelin Throw League friendly jereed game between Uzmanlar Sports Club and Dadas Sports Club, in Erzurum, eastern Anatolia, Turkey. AFP

A horse wearing decorated headgear, pictured before the start of a jereed game. The sport originated among Turkish nomadic tribes, for whom the horse was an essential and sometimes sacred animal. AFP

A competitor's horse stumbles during a jereed game, in Erzurum, Turkey. A match lasts for two 45-minute periods. AFP

Spectators watch as a competitor warms up before a jereed game in Erzurum, Turkey. AFP

A horse with an elaborately embroidered halter, decorated with tassels and beads, before a jereed match in Erzurum, Turkey. AFP

Players warm up before their jereed match against a wintry background in Erzurum, Turkey. AFP

A jereed player launches a javelin at an opponent during a game in Erzurum, Turkey. Modern javelins are usually made of light poplar wood and tipped with rubber to reduce injuries. EPA

A player prepares for the start of a jereed game, in Erzurum, Turkey. The sport developed as a means of training cavalry. EPA

A player prepares to launch a javelin at an opponent during a game of jereed in Erzurum, Turkey. It is against the rules to hit a horse, and results in the offender being sent off. EPA

Players confront each other at full gallop, during a game of jereed in Erzurum, Turkey. A player wins points if he hits an opponent with his javelin or catches an opponent's javelin in mid-air. EPA

Jereed players in Erzurum, Turkey. The sport has become a big tourist attraction in Erzurum, and is played there all year round. EPA

A jereed player in full pursuit of an opponent in Erzurum, Turkey. In the past, an elite class of cavalry was formed from skilled jereed players. EPA

A player performs acrobatics while riding his horse at full gallop, to avoid being hit by a javelin during a game of jereed in Erzurum, Turkey. EPA

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