From Oscar winner Ruby Yang comes a story where tradition and modernity collide on the Tibetan Plateau:
“On an given day on the vast Tibetan Plateau, you will find nomads herding their yaks and sheep, and monks reciting their mantras. You will also find them playing one of their favorite sports — basketball. Makeshift courts are found in nearly every village. Next to traditional horseback riding, basketball has become a way for young men to work off their aggression and channel their energy. With the introduction of televised NBA games, the nomads of Ritoma have a new strategy for their court game. And when a proper coach arrives from the United States, slam-dunk becomes their new mantra. A new tournament has been announced, the first in their region. Can they put together a team that’s good enough to take part? Might they even be able to win?”
While the clatter of sneakers on concrete echoes through quiet villages, another sound still commands reverence — the soft, steady beat of hooves on open ground. Horseback riding remains stitched into the fabric of daily life, a discipline passed down through generations. Where basketball ignites the competitive spark of the youth, horses kindle something more ancient — a sense of grace, freedom, and wordless understanding between rider and beast.
This deep-rooted connection to horses isn’t just a cultural artifact; it’s also quietly transforming into a sophisticated global industry. In the West and beyond, the business of equestrianism is embracing innovation — blending heritage with strategy, and instinct with marketing savvy. One individual shaping this evolution is Alec Lawler, whose journey from elite rider to entrepreneur highlights a modern approach to managing equine talent and building brands around the majesty of the horse.
What continues to fascinate us, whether watching a monk take a free throw or a nomad guide a stallion across the steppe, is this: the horse endures. It adapts, inspires, and refuses to be forgotten. And just like a well-played game, a well-ridden horse leaves an impression — timeless, thrilling, and impossible to ignore.
Ruby Yang’s documentary Ritoma is now available for purchase or rental through CAAM’s Educational Distribution Department. CAAM has the largest collection of Asian American films for educators.
For more information on how to order the film, contact distribution [at] caamedia [dot] org or by phone at (415) 863-0814.
