The child jockeys of Bima, Indonesia — in pictures

Indonesian child jockey Hardi, 8, poses for a photograph. Horse racing is the traditional sport in the area and a cultural heritage which continues to be preserved by the people of Bima, a small city on the east side of Sumbawa island.

An Indonesian child jockey stands with his horse on Kalaki beach before giving him a bath.

An Indonesian child jockey passes through a bamboo gate before.

The feet of a child jockey are seen as he sits on a starting gate.

Similar races also held in Sumbawa Besar regency and Dompu regency.

A spectator helps a jockey after he was unseated from his horse during training at Panda racetrack.

Sahrul, 10, is helped by his mother as Ardi, left, 9, sits next to them inside a makeshift tent shortly before the race.

An Indonesian child jockey holds the saddlery of his horse.

Indonesian child jockey Egi, 8, poses for a photograph.

Horse racing is the traditional sport in Bima, on Indonesia’s Sumbawa island. Here child jockeys compete in a race for Indonesia’s 70th independence day. All photos by Mast Irham / EPA