The alka is a small iron ring, about the size of a large bracelet, divided into three sections by two smaller rings inside. Riders score points depending on which part of the ring they hit - a perfect strike through the very centre earns the maximum three points. At full gallop, with the ring rushing towards them, riders have just a fraction of a second to aim perfectly.
The knights - called 'alkari' - wear elaborate traditional uniforms based on 18th-century military dress, with embroidered jackets, colourful sashes and distinctive hats. Only men who were born in Sinj or who have lived there for generations are allowed to compete. The rules of the tournament are strictly maintained to preserve its character.
The whole event is a celebration of local pride, horsemanship and tradition. The town decorates with flags and pennants, local choirs and musicians perform, and the streets fill with people wearing traditional costume. It is not just a sport - it is a way of carrying the past proudly into the present.
UNESCO added the Sinjska Alka to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010, recognising it as a living tradition that connects a community to its history. The tournament has never been cancelled - not for bad weather, not for anything. The consistency is itself a record.