Viewing page 19 of 26

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Transcription: [00:40:52]
Just 16 miles west of Innsbruck in the village of Telfs, the big event of the day, cold or not, is the harness racing.
[00:40:59]
During the summer months, the people, along with their horses, are busy with the farming, as this is a typical agricultural community.
[00:41:07]
But now that the snow has arrived, the horses become one of the main sources in entertainment.
[00:41:12]
The band, groups of horses, sleighs and excited people are all parading into the open field, which is located just at the edge of town;
[00:41:21]
and for this event, has become the racetrack.
[00:41:24]
{SILENCE}
[00:41:29]
Even though the wind is cold and the clouds hold the threat of more snow, still the atmosphere is warm with the gay spirit of the people.
[00:41:38]
{SILENCE}
[00:41:43]
The first race is off, with a breed of horse called the Haflinger.
[00:41:48]
They're originally from the south of Austria, which has now become a part of Italy.
[00:41:52]
They're a favorite of the farmers because of their sturdy little bodies, and unusual surefootedness in the mountains and on ice and snow.
[00:41:59]
All the horses are local except for the trotters, which are brought in from neighboring towns.
[00:42:04]
And the favorite of the day is White Nose Shifru and his driver Klaus from Kitzbühel.
[00:42:09]
{SILENCE}
[00:42:12]
The starter calls the race. And here you can see Shifru coming up on the outside.
[00:42:18]
Being a steady winner, he is given the handicap of starting behind the others.
[00:42:23]
But on the last time around, Klaus is up in his seat, urging and driving him ahead.
[00:42:28]
Now he's pulled away from the pack, and Klaus brings him in first, and also brings home the prize, the Telfs pennant.
[00:42:37]
{SILENCE}
[00:42:38]
Home for Shifru is the famous Tyrolean town of Kitzbühel, lying at the foot of the towering mountains.
[00:42:44]
Shifru has the distinction of actually living in one of the town's fashionable hotels, the Tiefenbrunner, a 400 year old inn located on the main street of town.
[00:42:56]
As Kitzbühel was an important trading center back in the 15th and 16th centuries, there were stables in most of the houses.
[00:43:03]
And the Tiefenbrunner stable is still right off the charming Tyrolean lobby.
[00:43:08]
So seeing Shifru strolling past the town shops on his way out to train is a common sight.