"It’ll be a huge festival," says OK Chairman, Toni Lauber, referring to the summer cow fights to be staged on Sunday, 19 August 2018 in Zermatt. More than 100 Herens cows will compete against the backdrop of the Matterhorn, with one of them to be crowned "Reine du Cervin".
4000 visitors expected
The summer cow fights take place every year, but this is the first time they’ve come to Zermatt, so the municipal authority has set up an event area in Zen Stecken that looks like a natural arena. Years ago, the area used to be a gravel plant, but has recently lain unused. In addition to spectator seats on the sloped meadow area, the organisers will also build three stages that can hold up to 800 people. "We’re expecting up to 4000 visitors," says Toni Lauber.
Established tradition
Cow fighting goes back years in the Valais region. As the name suggests, the fights are between Herens cows and, in contrast to bull fights, normally end without any injuries. The fights are the breed’s natural way of selecting the herd’s leader. Many of the competitors have already arrived in Zermatt, to ensure they are on top form on the day. The tournament is sponsored and run by the livestock breeding association EVZG Nikolaital; the preliminary rounds start from 09:30, with the final fights taking place at around 15:00 hrs. Entry tickets costing 20 Francs are available from www.zermatt.ch/en/cowfights or in the Zermatt tourism office and on the day. The proceeds from the ‘Reine du Cervin’ are used to maintain the infrastructure of Zermatt Alpine associations.
Cow fighting rules
The animals are divided into three age categories: cows, first-calf heifers and cattle. A fight is lost when one animal refuses to fight or clearly turns away from her opponent. Animals who have lost three fights are eliminated from the competition. This continues until only seven animals are left and they then all meet each other. The Herens cow who beats all the others in her category is the winner. Sometimes, there is no single cow who beats all the others. In this case, two animals are awarded the top spot.
The Guxa Trio, the Nikolaital band and Genderbüebu
In addition to the bovine highlights, the event also includes an entertaining programme of music and food, with many Valais specialities. The Zermatt trio Guxa and the Nikolaital band will guarantee a cheerful atmosphere, and the Genderbüebu quartet will play in the Pupperla pub the evening before the festival. A shuttle bus will run between Zermatt train station and Zen Stecken, so the festival area is easy to reach.
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Contact
Simona Altwegg, Media Manager Zermatt Tourism
Phone +41 (0)27 966 81 40, Mobile +41 (0)79 197 11 69
E-Mail: simona.altwegg@zermatt.ch
Ringkuhkampf (1)
The summer cow fights come to Zermatt for the first time.
Ringkuhkampf (2)
The fights are the breed’s natural way of selecting the herd’s leader.