Novelties in tomorrow´s Arrastoak edition: taming pottokas and gooses
2006-10-07
More than three-hundred animals of local breeds will be exhibited in Ormaiztegi. There will be exhibitions and tasting of local food.
SAN SEBASTIAN. DV.
More than three hundred local breed animals will have the spot light tomorrow in Ormaiztegi. In a new edition of the "Arrastoak", the major exhibition of different kinds of basque breeds and individuals in the Basque Country.
The exhibition is a public event, an affirmation of the great job that the associations that care for these breeds do. The come back of many original species is due to the dedication of these associations and the economic effort made by the Diputación Foral (Local Government). To this end, in the last year €49.300 where assigned, 23% more than last year. Besides another € 156.555 in economic aid for those that work for the conservation of these original breeds.
The natural braking in of a Pottoka will be one of the attractive novelties of the exhibition as Vanesa Ugarte, representative for the Gipuzkoa Pottoka Association explained yesterday in a press conference jointly offered with the Deputy for Rural Development, Rafael Uribarren and Xabin Ezkurdia, city major of Ormaiztegi. The representative for the Gipuzkoa Pottoka Association emphasised on the hardships of strapping the head gear on a wild year and a half old Pottoka, and the attendants will see how it is done by natural braking in procedures. Also, an exhibition on a three year old Pottoka that has been broken into will be showed.
There will be a vast amount of individuals of original species, according to Ezkurdia's explanation. For the first time there will be gees and swans, river crabs, and the four herding champion dogs from the four territories of the Basque Country. Also, there will be forty individuals of Pottoka, mountain horses, Navarra mares and a Bruguete horse. 24 cattle of different breeds: Betizu, Monchina, Pirenaica, Terreña, and Casta Navarra. 22 donkeys for the Encartaciones and the Pirineos. 160 sheep from Karranza, Latxa, Sasi, Ardi. 15 goats, 16 pigs... lots of cooks, hens, and the "Pampina" rooster as everyone's pet.
A very varied program
The exhibition of original breeds will begin at 10 in the morning. An hour latter the Pottoka contest will start, and half an hour latter the different associations will show their work or the process to foster the breeding of these species that have been or nearly have been an endanger species. Iñigo Agirre, local veterinary, explained what is considered an endanger species: when there are less than 100 females in reproductory capacity. Saved are the Pottokas with over 500 mares and the Betizu breed with over 300 cows.
A good amount of food made with local stock products will be available and by 14:30 the popular food will be served. At 17:00 the sheep dog exhibition will take place, as will the donkey rides, the natural breaking in of the Pottoka and all the rest of activities that gather thousands of attendants to the Ormaiztegi fair. Last year they where over 20.000.
Article published in "El Diario Vasco": http://www.diariovasco.com/prensa/20061007/aldia/doma-pottoka-presencia-ocas_20061007.html