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Credit: Michael Gäbler

The Noriker horse, also historically known as the Pinzgauer horse, is a moderately heavy Austrian draught horse breed. It is considered indigenous to the central Alpine region of Europe, and is believed to have originated around the highest mountain of Austria, the Grossglockner. The Kufenstechenis an event that takes place at Feistritz an der Gail in Carinthia, Austria during the annual Kermesse on Whit Monday. The task of young unmarried men, riding bareback on Noriker horses, is to smash a wooden barrel with an iron. The men have to ride past several times before the barrel is destroyed. Finally, when it is broken, the winner receives a wreath of flowers which he puts on his wrist. Afterwards, the winner begins the traditional dance under the lime tree, joined by other unmarried couples, wearing the traditional Gailtaler folk costumes. The dance is accompanied by traditional songs.

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