The Herens cow is native to the alpine pastures.  A 3000-year-old skull of this breed was found in the Valais region of Switzerland confirming it to be the oldest breed in the Alps.  It is the cow most adapted to the mountain conditions and is known to be a fierce fighter with a short temper.  Its ability in combat is part of its genetic heritage.

In the Alps, Herens cow fighting occurs naturally in the herd to determine the hierarchy.  Since 1915, cow fights are organized as sporting events, and today it is known as the battle for the “queen of queens”, a tradition anchored within the Valaisan people.

In Martigny, situated in the Valais region of Switzerland, a battle is organized every year to mark the Foire du Valais, (Valaisan fair).  Farmers come from all parts of the Valais with their cows in the hope of winning the “queen of queens” prize -  a cowbell!  A farmer added that the most important thing about winning is that the quality of the cow is acknowledged and thus it’s descendancy.

There are five categories in cow fighting.  The first three categories are determined by the weight of the cows - over 600kg for the first category.  Cows that have given birth once enter the fourth category and those over two and a half years’ old that have not given birth enter the fifth.

The cows are lead into an old roman arena where the fights take place under the eyes of thousands of spectators.  During a fight a cow is defeated once it walks away from battle as a sign of submission.  A battle can last a few seconds just as it can go on for half an hour.  “Injuries are very rare” says Philippe Dorsaz, President of the organising Committee.  “It’s not comparable to bull fighting in Spain”.

A cow-fighting enthusiast in the crowd added that this is not a battle between man and animal, it’s a hierarchy being put in place by the cows.

The crowds cheer as the doors open in the arena to let in the heavy weight fighters - the moment everyone has been waiting for.  Cows of up to 800kg wrestle each other ending in some tenacious battles.  One by one the cows are eliminated until there is a queen of queens.  This year’s first category queen is a 700kg? cow called Samantha.  Her owner, Fernand Terrettaz, expressed his joy as he waved to the cheering crowd and stated that Samantha deserved to win because she gave her best today, and has been a hard worker all year long.

Although cow fighting is a traditional event in the Valais, some farmers worry that it will die out as less and less youths are interested in farming in Switzerland.