Vanuku

[Kubrick]

Traditional horse markets under scrutiny
12 December 5591, Tes Leppóld, Jelbic People's Soviet Republic of Wrnuke


A selection of horses at the traditional annual horse market in the city of Tes Leppóld, one of the markets being scrutinised. 

It is a common sight in Wrnuke during the autumn and winter period: horse markets. Traditionalists, breeders, enthusiasts, athletes, farmers, hobbyists, and dutiful fathers all gather at them every year around the start of autumn until Hallowtide. Once the temperatures get colder again it is the traditional moment for the Jelbics of Wrnuke to buy, sell, and trade horses. The annual horse market in the coastal city of Tes Leppóld is no exception. The city was founded as Fort Graf Leopold in 1635 by Dorvish settlers on basis of its good natural harbour. Over the years the Dorvish settlers, as per their colonisation strategy, mingled with the local population. The Dorvish already had a long tradition of cattle and horse markets in their native Dorvik, the tradition of horse markets pops up across Wrnuke in cities where the Dorvish began their trade and colonisation adventure in the Jelbic lands. A local twist was given to them, as the Jelbics always treated their horses as brothers and friends. Without a horse a true Jelbic was considered lost and incapable of functioning in society. Much has changed since then, but the importance of the horse in Wrnuke's society can not be denied. For the years after, especially after the Jelbic Renaissance, horse markets became a more sacred ritual. The horse markets became a place to find a new 'brother', fit for battle and to impress others. They also became social gathering places, where tribes from far gathered together to share the latest news, forge new bonds over a drink and some fine food, resolve disputes, and sell other specialised goods. In the more modern age, as many in Wrnuke do not own horses anymore, they are mostly a place where the breeder meets the traditionalist, the athlete, the hobbyist and the odd father trying to please their child. Local festivals have grown around these horse markets and the annual dates are often of local importance, signifying the start of autumn or winter in many communities.

In recent years however the horse markets have been commercialised. The horse trading has become a secondary part of the markets, with the stalls selling local goods becoming a bigger focus. The primary focus however is on the feasts associated with these horse market festivals. Loud music, free-flowing beer, deep-fried snacks, and many drunk guests all revelling in their favourite annual tradition. In the background deals are still being made about the horses but more and more they are becoming festivals for party-goers. Many local municipalities do not mind this development, they subsidise it solely for the local community and to keep a form of tradition alive. In some places however, like in Tes Leppóld, it has received scrutiny for another reason. The horses are being treated with less care than a goldfish at a summer fair. In 5590 the Tes Leppóld horse market received an official warning from the inspectors for not having any feed for the horses in supply, with the horses barely being fed during the three days the festival was held. This year a lack of water was reported, as well as several breeders with emaciated animals. One breeder had been banned in 5587 for beating a horse and was warned in 5591 again for doing the same thing. Inspectors are nothing similar trends across other horse markets. "The status of the horse as a brother to the Jelbic is being forgotten. They are being treated as a nuisance that may earn some Marks, it is a difficult development to witness," said Pruve Anzlék-Freirth. He has been an inspector of horse markets for fifteen years but says that the last two years are shocking: "I firmly believe in Seikfrojkailyk [read: Worldburnerism] and the modernisation efforts of the Republic, but to forget our horses as the brothers they are.. it pains me to see." Anzlék-Freirth is not the only one to speak up, several animal rights organisations have complained about the recent state of horse markets. The organisation of the horse market in Tes Leppóld did not want to respond and issued only the following statement: "We treat the animals at the Tes Leppóld annual horse market with the utmost decency and respect." The organisation has been fined this year for animal neglect.

Opstmojadé Péashro (Revolutionary Vanguard) is a newspaper and current news website with a Jelbic nationalist and left-wing character.