Today in Hoorn there was 'ringsteken' (ring lancing) in traditional horse carriages. With a wooden lance they have to pick rings off that are suspended above the road.
Sadly almost all pictures of the actual ringsteken didn't turn out (dark weather and trees) but I did get some of the carriages in the street where they turn around.
Forget about the 'trade mark' national costume you see on advertisements about Holland, each area and even villages have their own. On this day, the people wear the costumes that fit in with the age and type of carriage. In the more fancy carriages the people wear the sunday finery while others are of the daily, working types.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/fergina/paarddag1resize.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/fergina/paardag3resize.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/fergina/paarddag4resize.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/fergina/paarddag2resize.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/fergina/paarddag5_resize.jpg)
On this one you see the actual ringsteken. The ring is just to the left of the tree, in front of the tree, standing on steps, is the man who hangs the rings up. I think there are 6 rings to be collected on the route and they make several rounds.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/fergina/paarddag6_resize.jpg)
Hi Ina. Oh boy I loved your pics. My late husband loved horses (in fact he loved all animals) The kids had ponies when they were younger. We had black horses with black plumes for his funerall,people round here said they had never seen that in this area and there were people coming out of the shops to look. Such a variety in your pics. Thankyou. Lorna.
Glad you liked them Iorna. I can see how that brings back memories for you. It must have been a very impressive funeral procession. For our late Queen Juliana it was all in white with white horses and plumes. Today was a much happier occasion tho'.
Love the one with the shaggy boots!
How wonderful Ina! I think the couple in blue with the matching dog are rather fetching! So is it a competition? Is there a prize??
Yes it's a competition. They win a title of best combination or winner of the ring lancing. I know they get flowers and a trophy of sorts.