The beard of a skater, one out of some 1,100 athletes, is covered with ice and snow during the 200 km (124 miles) speed skating race in the Carinthian village of Techendorf January 30, 2015. Techendorf is hosting the Alternatieve Elfstedentocht Weissensee (Alternative Eleven City Races Weissensee) races, a traditional Dutch series of speed skating events for both professionals and amateurs with some 5,000 participants, until January 31, 2015. (Photo by Leonhard Foeger/Reuters)

Participants wearing historical costumes ride their high-wheel bicycles during the annual penny farthing race in Prague, Czech Republic November 5, 2016. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)

Every year, in the Rostov region of Russia, a group of 40 young and not so young rural workers compete in the Bison Track Show, or more affectionately known as: Russian Flying Tractor Racing. In front of crowds numbering up to 30,000 people, a series of smoke spilling, monstrous farming machines tear round an 8km mud track, plowing through lakes and dirt mounds, their turbos screaming and tyres scrabbling to find grip.

An extraordinary work of art has just been completed in Scotland. The Kelpies by figurative sculptor Andy Scott surge upwards in steel, whinnying and snorting alongside the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal near the town of Falkirk. These fantastic beasts from Gaelic mythology have risen again as monuments to the horse-powered industrial heritage of Scotland.

A traveller washes his horse in the River Eden in preparation for selling at the Appleby Horse Fair on June 3, 2011 in Appleby, England. Appleby Horse Fair has existed under the protection of a charter granted by James II since 1685. It is one of the key gathering points for the Romany, gypsy and traveling community. Appleby Horse Fair is attended by about 5,000 travelers who come to buy and sell horses. The animals are washed and groomed before being ridden at high speed along the “mad mile” for the viewing of potential buyers. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Nasar, an Arabian horse, stands in the office of doctor Stephanie Arndt at her home on February 19, 2014 in Holt, Germany. Fearing for the horse's safety, Mrs. Arndt brought the horse into her house during the Xaver heavy storm back in December, and the horse now wanders through the house daily, inspecting details and looking for snacks. Mrs. Arndt says she doesn't mind, and though the horse never spends the night, it does occasionally take a nap in the house. (Photo by Patrick Lux/Getty Images)

Competitors in action during a qualifying heat for the 12 hour Lawn Mower Endurance Race on September 24, 2011 in Billingshurst, England. First started in 1973 as a motorsport that would be accessible to as many as possible, there is little commercialism or sponsorship, no cash prizes and no modifying of engines. The trophies are donated from various sources with famous names such as Sir Stirling Moss found engraved on the plaques from previous races. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)