Penitentes, or nieves penitentes (Spanish for “penitent-shaped snows”), are a snow formation found at high altitudes. They take the form of tall thin blades of hardened snow or ice, closely spaced with the blades oriented towards the general direction of the sun.

Greyhounds with stuffed and sprung model monkeys strapped to their backs before a hurdle race at Wellinborough. (Photo by E. Bacon). 21st April 1928

A woman rides a donkey during a donkey race in Roum village, Jizeen countryside, southern Lebanon, August 9, 2015. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Reuters)

A model poses with a motorcycle and a car on a racing track at the Essen Motor Show in Essen, Germany, November 27, 2015. (Photo by Ina Fassbender/Reuters)

Participants run through coloured powder during the Colour Run race in Moscow, Russia on June 5, 2022. (Photo by Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)

Britain Horse Racing, Royal Ascot, Ascot Racecourse on June 16, 2016. Ladies Day Racegoers wear hats. (Photo by Toby Melville/Reuters)

A participant takes part in a high heel race to protest in favor of gender equality in Monterrey, Mexico on May 12, 2019. (Photo by Daniel Becerril/Reuters)

A farmer competes in a traditional bull race at Swabi on February 18, 2024. (Photo by Abdul Majeed/AFP Photo)