A galloping success

It is difficult to explain the un-usual bond between a rider and a horse, but mysteriously, mounted on a horse, man seems to absorb the strength, nobility and majesty of animal.

A group of animal lovers and sports-minded individuals, all members of an organization called CEOBSA (Cebu Equine Owners, Breeders and Sportsmen Association) organized a three-day fun filled event to promote, foster and improve on the skills of horsemen and horses.

The affair called “The Governor’s Cup Race and Competition” was spearheaded by Cebu province’s First Lady Governor Gwen Garcia.

The opening ceremonies started with a horse parade with no less than Governor Garcia, Mandaue City Mayo Jonas Cortes and Eduard Loop, president of CEOBSA, leading the over 60 uniformed horsemen on their prancing steeds, to the Mandaue Reclamation Area where the race and competition was held.

They were followed closely by 33 beautifully decorated horse-drawn tartanillas, that represented the different major sponsors such as the Department of Tourism, The Province of Cebu, the city of Mandaue, M. Lhuillier and Ralph’s Wines and Spirits. Also in attendance were the different municipalities of Aloguinsan, Balamban, Bogo, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Liloan, Mandaue,  San Fernando, Santander, Sibonga, Tabogon, and Tuburan. Adjudged winners were the municipalities of Carmen, San Francisco and Moalboal.

Now on its third year, the festival attracted a number of ranchers and equally driven horsemen from different associations. They included participants from Ormoc, Cagayan de Oro, Malaybalay, Impasugong in Bukidnon, Davao, Dumaguete, and Cebu’s two component cities, Naga and Talisay, and the towns of Minglanilla and Borbon.

The activities had several competitions with different categories in men’s, ladies and mixed divisions.

Winners in the obstacle race expert division were Kobi Tan of Davao, first place; Joel Abalos of CEOBSA, second place; and Niko Basubas of CEOBSA, third place. In the royal men’s level, winners were Stewart Shur, first place; and Junjie Kawashima, second place, both of CEOBSA; and  Bienvenido Aznar of Davao, third place. In the Intermediate division, first was Mark Constantino Fabello of Cagayan de Oro, Jun Miñoza of CEOBSA, second; and Empoy Tortola of Malaybalay, third.

The barrel race competition in the expert division had Kobi Tan, first; and Andy Tan, second, from Davao; and Bunny Sulogan from Malaybalay, third. In the royal division, Patrick Tuazon of Davao placed first followed by Eduard Loop of CEOBSA, second; and Bienvenido Aznar of Davao, third. In the intermediate division, winners were Terence dela Cerna, first; and  Rj Landingin, second, both from Malaybalay. Mike Merilles of CEOBSA came in third.   

The festivities culminated with a lively cowboy-theme fellowship dinner at the Cebu International and Convention Center. Plaques were given to the winners with the CEOBSA team from Cebu reaping the Governors Cup trophy.