Davao City – In a successful comeback bid this year, veteran rider George Walter Misa took home two huge trophies – one as Champion in the challenging, rain-soaked Obstacle Race and third in the Barrel Race, both in the Royal Category (for fifty years old and above) in the 2nd Kalivungan Festival National Horse Show & Competition held in Kidapawan City, August 25 -27, 2023. Sponsored by the Provincial Government of Cotabato, the event was hosted by the South Central Mindanao Horsemen Association.
Coming out of a hiatus from out-of-town competitions for a few years, Misa, a consistent winner in the Philippine Horsemen Federation (PHF) Competition Circuit for the past two decades, came back to regular competition this year, this time in the Royal Division beginning in Malaybalay City in early April where he won back-to-back third place in both the Obstacle and Barrel Races (the PHF mainstay races) followed by a second place win in Barrel Race in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon in late April, a silver in the Obstacle Race in Patin-ay, Agusan del Sur in June and finally, the climactic finish in Kidapawan City.
Another rider from the Davao Horse Club, Banjo Dobliano of the Tan Stables won second in the Barrel Race, Auxiliary Division. Other members of the Davao Team in the Kidapawan competition, almost evenly distributed among the different divisions, were the Tan family: Andrew (Executive Division) and Rachel (Ladies Division), Dr. Anli (Novice) and Dr. Mj (Ladies), Kobi (Expert) and Chase (Youth Division) and, Dr. Ben Montanez (Royal).
Competitors from around Mindanao totalled a whopping 198 horsemen, representing the following teams: Cagayan de Oro Horsemen Association, Misamis Oriental Horsemen Association, Manolo Fortich Horsemen Association, Malaybalay Horse Club, Horsemen Association of Impasugong and Valancia, Agusan Surigao Horsemen Association, Socsargen Horsemen Association, the South Central Horsemen Association and the Davao Horse Club.
The next and final activity of the Philippine Horsemen Federation this year is the Davao Horse Club’s 21st Horse Show & Competition slated for November 10 thru 12, 2023 in Davao City. Branded as “THE ROUNDUP,” it promises to showcase an extraordinary mix of Western and Equestrian games to include the exciting Show Jumping and the Drill Team Competition. (DHC shared by Jon Develos)
