During the launching of the Governor’s Cup 2008 yesterday at the Capitol Social Hall, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she is hopeful that the horse show and competition will not only be a provincial or national event but will become an international event in the future.
“Perhaps. Just perhaps. Because we are able to work together, it’s not far from becoming a major international event,” the governor said amid applauses of horse show enthusiasts who graced the launching.
Previously called “Kabayo Festival”, the three-day horse show and competition will be held on February 15, 16 and 17 at the Mandaue City Reclamation Area.
Antonio Quisumbing, founding president of the Cebu Equine Owners, Breeders and Sportsmen Association, said that they are expecting around 80 participants from Masbate referred to as the “rodeo capital of the Philippines”; and other provinces in Luzon, as well as the cities of Dumaguete, Ormoc and Cagayan de Oro; Malaybalay City and Impasugong in Bukidnon, Davao, and Cebu’s two component cities - Naga and Talisay - and the towns of Minglanilla and Borbon.
Participants will compete in various races - barrel, obstacle, jumping, tartanilla and oval or flat - in A and B classes with men’s, ladies and mixed divisions.
Further, the provincial government is looking at making the Governor’s Cup 2008 a “more meaningful event” by not limiting the activity to being just a horse show but also engaging the towns of the province to feature their local products and delicacies. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon