Sport in Ventora

Modern sport in Ventora is varied and includes many activities from other regions and countries. Nonetheless, ancient and historical traditions, including those previously enjoyed predominantly by the nobility, enjoy varying measures of popularity and participation.

Falconry
The nomadic people of the Kanakan Steppe have used falconry as a means of hunting for over 2,000 years. Although not as common, the Tilargi also have long-standing hunting traditions using birds of prey. As the Montañan Confederation sought to expand its territorial control over the steppe region, the nobility was introduced to falconry in the 900s. It began to grow as a sport among the nobles, spreading across the Kingdom of Ventora by the 1200s. The sport reached its zenith in the mid-1400s, but began to fade due to the efficiencies of hunting using firearms. Throughout this period, the people of the steppe and the Tilargi continued the falconry for the practicality of providing food despite the nobility co-opting their traditions for sport.

Modern falconry in Ventora continues as a tradition in the steppe and Tilargi Mountains. It has also become a livelihood for some falconers in controlling pest birds, such as pigeons and gulls, and small ground pests, primarily rodents, for farmlands and even some urban areas. As a result, falconry has become more accessible to non-nobles. A number of have public mews available to facilitate keeping raptors for urban dwellers without space of their own. Despite increased availability, nobles and the upper class comprise the majority of sport falconers.

Falconry in Ventora adheres to regulations promulgated by the Royal Falconry Syndicate (: Sindicato Real de Cetrería, SRC) which was established by King Pedro II in 1774. Falconry hunting for sustenance follows the traditional practices of the steppe and mountains. Individuals and groups may sport hunt using birds of prey following SRC rules. The SRC also sanctions several competitive falconry events including judged hunts, field meets, beauty contests, and races. The latter two have become quite lucrative and more exclusive to affluent falconers, but the judged hunts and field meets are popular among the middle and working classes as a means of competing with the wealthy on equal terms and chances of winning.