Praying for People and Horses.

HAKODATE, Hokkaido -- Five members of a local riding club rode up 134 steps on native Hokkaido-bred horses to make their first visit of 2007 to Hakodate Hachiman shrine in style.

The riders from the Dosanko Farm riding club wore traditional horseback archers' kimonos, in a New Year's club custom that began eight years ago to pray for the safety of people and horses. (Mainichi)