The Inventory Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in the Netherlands contains ICH of which the communities, groups or individuals involved have written a safeguarding plan. Those plans are reviewed by an independent review committee. Every three years an evaluation of the safeguarding takes place.

Description

The IJmuiden Short Course Race is held annually on the third Thursday of July in the city centre of IJmuiden. The gardens adjacent to the short track are decorated and friends and family from all over the country are invited.

The short track is a knock-out race between a maximum of 24 horses, held on a sand-covered street. The track is maximum 310 metres long with an outlet and fenced off with crush barriers. Only horses of four years and older, who are registered in the Studbook Dutch horses (trotters), may participate. Four-year-olds get a dispensation of five metres at the start. There are certain win limits, after which, if exceeded, a horse must run an extra five metres (e.g. 305 metres). The maximum distance is 310 metres.

Betting on horses is a regular feature of the short track. The amount won depends on the stake, the total stake and the number of people who have made the same bet. The most is bet on the eventual winner and on the first three prize winners (trio).

At the stables, the horses are well taken care of and prepared for the race by the trainers and drivers. There is a vet and a farrier. Animal welfare is of paramount importance!

Because the short track race in IJmuiden is a happening, an event has grown around it over the years: the 5-day Summer Festival IJmuiden. This festival starts on Wednesday and is then dominated by the children, which means that the youngsters are involved in the Summer Festival from an early age. Thursday is the short track race. Friday is all about sports, Saturday is the annual market and the Kunst op Koers festival with music and dance. Finally, on Sunday, there is a culinary fair. There is a music programme every evening. 

Community

Stichting Harddraverij IJmuiden (Harness Race IJmuiden Foundation) organises the race. Volunteers, including the special fencing team, take care of the entire infrastructure around the short track. Both young and old visit the short track, which makes the harness race and the Summer Festival of great social importance. The Summer Festival takes place from Wednesday to Sunday, with the short track race on Thursday as the highlight.

Each day has its own theme, which young and old can participate in and enjoy. The whole Kennemerplein Square is used for this. There is a gigantic stage and a specially built VIP deck. The bands are no longer exclusively regional, but national and even international. Meanwhile, there is a solid organisation that has a professional event in mind and wants to grow, so that this event becomes even more of a tradition and can be continued by and for future generations.

History

In 1936, the first Short Track Harness Race IJmuiden was organised in the Trompstraat. In 1937 and 1938 followed two editions but in 1939 the organisation was not completed due to financial problems. After 1939 there no information can be found about the harness race and after the war the organisation was not picked up again. A number of local entrepreneurs decided in 1997 to organise a harness race in IJmuiden again. On the road along the Seaport Marina, the first post-war IJmuiden short track was held. The short track was situated under the boulevard, so the public could watch the race from above; they could see the start and finish. Nevertheless, in 2013 it was decided to move the short track to the centre of IJmuiden on the Kennemerlaan. The short track was organised together with some small sports and music activities which have now grown into the Zomerfestival IJmuiden, a five-day festival with thousands of visitors.

The short track itself has also developed over the years; the horses are better prepared for the race; it has become a specialism. The short track regulations have also been adapted to the developments. For example, it is forbidden to carry a whip during the race. At the stables the horses are well taken care of and prepared for the race by the trainers and the drivers. A vet and a farrier are also present. Animal welfare is of paramount importance and the love for the horses by the owners, caretakers, trainers and drivers is visible!

In recent years, measures have also been taken to increase the sustainability of short track racing. More attention has been paid to waste separation and waste management.

Safeguarding

Safeguard actions

2020-2023

  • Better use will be made of social media.
  • Because not everyone is aware of the importance of the short track race, merchandise will be developed, such as printed T-shirts, caps, pens, and key rings to make the event more visible.
  • New members of the organisation will be involved to ensure succession.
  • Volunteers will be recruited to train as board members where possible.
  • Pictures, videos and promotional films on social media will be added on a regular basis.
  • Board members of the Harbour Festival, Village Party Santpoort, Village Party Driehuis, Dance Valley, Dutch Valley and Latin Village and of other short track races in our region will be approached to investigate whether joint use can be made of materials such as pin devices, cabling, etc. as well as joint PR, for example by publishing a regional brochure in which all the horse races and what takes place around them are mentioned.
  • To involve the residents of the Kennemerlaan avenue more in the trotting event, they will receive a newsletter prior to the event with the latest developments, the programme, the closure of the avenue and the parking policy during the event.
  • Activities are being devised that focus on the youth to get them involved in the short track race, for example a hobbyhorse parade.
  • A sponsor magazine will be published and brought to the attention of potential sponsors.
  • Residents of the Kennemerlaan are approached to become donors or to buy lottery tickets.
  • The public is informed in advance via social media how animal welfare is guaranteed during the trotting event, so that any criticism can be prevented.

 

Contact

Stichting Kortebaandraverij C.A. IJmuiden aan Zee
IJmuiden