[Blazing] Carefully selected tracks perfect as BGM for cavalry battles at sports festivals!
Kibasen (cavalry battle), where teams of three to five form a “horse,” and the rider tries to snatch a hat or sash from riders on other “horses.” It’s a classic sports day event that gets not only the participants but also the spectators fired up, with battles as heated as those of samurai in the Warring States period! In this article, we introduce songs that are perfect for kibasen.
Drawing on the horseback theme, we’ve picked tracks from various genres—from theme songs of historical dramas depicting the lives of samurai, to sports day staples, to J-pop that fills you with energy just by listening.
Use this as a reference!
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[Heated] Carefully selected songs perfect as BGM for the sports day cavalry battle! (1–10)
Zankyo SankaAimer
Released in 2022 and used as the opening theme for the anime Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc, Aimer’s “Zankyo Sanka” is an upbeat track featuring brilliant brass band tones.
The dynamic sound pairs exquisitely with Aimer’s powerful yet delicate husky voice.
Its blazing, high-impact band sound perfectly matches the fervor of a cavalry battle.
RISINGYoshida Kyōdai
RISING is perfect for a kiba-sen horseback battle where the whole team joins forces.
Performed by the Yoshida Brothers, masters of Tsugaru shamisen, it was released in 2005.
The track opens with grand drumming, so it’s a great choice to play right at the starting signal.
The passionate band arrangement interwoven with the timbre of the Tsugaru shamisen will heat up the competition.
How about using this Japanese-flavored instrumental as your BGM?
Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE
A signature song by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE that was chosen as the theme for the youth film “Ao-Natsu: Kimi ni Koi Shita 30-Nichi,” starring Yuto Sano and Wakana Aoi.
Its chorus, overflowing with 100% pure youthful energy that you’ll never forget, is sure to fire up any sports day or athletic festival.
In particular, it’s a perfect fit for high-energy events like cavalry battles and relays.
[Red-Hot] Carefully Selected Songs Perfect for Sports Day Cavalry Battle BGM! (11–20)
Let’s give it a tryWANIMA
Wanting to beat your opponent, win with your teammates, and surpass your past self… Sports day is also an opportunity to take on challenges.
“Yatte Minayo” by WANIMA, a three-piece rock band from Kumamoto Prefecture, is the perfect song to boost that positive spirit—even for a cavalry battle! Released as a digital single in 2017, it became widely known after being featured in a commercial.
Since its original melody comes from the English folk song “The Picnic,” it feels familiar to people of all generations.
Taiga Drama ‘Ryomaden’ Main ThemeSatō Naoki
The overwhelming sound arrangement, like a wall of sound closing in, is so cool! It’s the theme song for the Taiga drama “Ryomaden,” which also made headlines for starring Masaharu Fukuyama.
Just hearing it makes you excited for what’s to come, and its sound is perfect for cavalry battles where strategy and momentum are put to the test.
William Tell OvertureGioachino Antonio Rossini
With its majestic melody and driving rhythms, this piece unmistakably evokes a cavalry battle at a sports festival.
Premiered in 1829 as the overture to Rossini’s William Tell, it remains beloved by many today.
The finale in particular is a powerful passage that conjures the image of galloping horses, making it a perfect BGM for a mock cavalry charge.
It’s also famous as the theme for the TV series The Lone Ranger.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to energize a school sports day or to heighten the excitement of a heated competition.
We Will Rock YouQueen
This track features a powerful beat that almost sounds like galloping hooves.
It’s a perfect fit that evokes the intensity of a cavalry battle.
Known as one of Queen’s signature songs, it was released in July 1977.
There’s even an anecdote that it was composed with the image of a stadium crowd clapping along.
Its simple yet memorable rhythm is sure to heighten the excitement at the decisive moments of a cavalry match.
If you’re on a school sports day committee and struggling to pick BGM, give this a try.
Playing it as background music will definitely lift participants’ spirits.