Photos show an epic endurance race celebrating the bond between people and horses in Kyrgyzstan

For equestrian riders, the endurance race known as the Gallops is the ultimate test of stamina and self-discipline.

First hosted in India in 2019, the event challenges teams of international riders to a five-day trek spanning more than 200 kilometers (125 miles) as part of a race inspired by the famous Paris-Dakar rally.

The Gallops’ 2025 edition is taking place in Kyrgyzstan — a Central Asian country with a deep-rooted traditional nomadic culture.

The race begins in the village of Kyzart, around 3,000 meters (nearly 10,000 feet) above sea level, before taking competitors hailing from 12 countries on a journey close to Song-Köl Lake.

As well as camping in traditional Kyrgyz yurts, riders are able to experience some of Kyrgyzstan’s other equestrian sports including horseback archery and Kok Boru. The latter is a game that sees two teams compete to place a goat’s carcass — or, in modern matches, often a model of one — in their opponents’ goal.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.