Equestrian sport is very popular in Finland. In 1909, as a result of breeding work, a special purebred breed of Finnish horses was bred here. Equestrian competitions were first held in Lappeenranta in 1817. After that they became an annual event.
In 1973, a large 570-seat Ravirata racecourse was built in the city. At that time the first horse races were also held here. Every year the racecourse is visited by by about one million spectators.
Every year, the racecourse hosts a major cultural event, the Royal Races, a cultural event that brings a storm of positive emotions to the spectators. Everyone is welcome bet on the races in a sweepstakes, testing their favour of fate.
Tourists are attracted here not only by horse racing, but also by equestrian competitions in show jumping - steeplechase and dressage, in which participants from different parts of the country compete.
