They gathered from all points of the island and some from across the sea, all 64 riders from Cebu, Davao, Malaybalay, Impasug-ong, Quezon and Cagayan de Oro dressed for the occasion with stetsons, vests, boots, western saddles, bandanas and other regalia of the American West.

Led by trail guides and hosts Bobby and Iso Montalvan of Quezon, Bukidnon, Rene Abbu of Valencia City, Bukidnon and Impasug-ong Mayor Mario Okinlay, the nine hour ride started from Intabas, thence to the Ramcar ranch in Dalirig before winding up in Malaybalay for the night where the group was hosted by the Montalvans.

For two days the horsemen picked their way over sodden earth, forded creeks and rivers, following a trail blazed some years ago by the Montalvan couple with a small band of intrepid riders.

Benjie Paras, president and general manager of G & P Builders based in Cagayan de Oro, has been riding for only a year but has been bitten by the horse riding bug in a bad way, and now maintains a stable of seven houses in his mobile ranch house in Dahilayan, including an ex-polo thoroughbred.

"I was invited by Bobby Cabrera to join the group, and I've found it to be relaxing and a good way to de-stress by enjoying the real beauty of nature first hand," said Mr. Paras.

Once a month he goes on a long trail ride with his fellow horsemen, but at least once a week takes time to take shorter rides (3-4 hrs) within his Dahilayan ranch to exercise and build up his endurance.

Jun Villar, president of the Kagayan de Oro Horsemen, probably has the biggest stable among the group's 25 members with 12 thoroughbreds and quarter horses.

"We decided to organize ourselves following the horse riding skills competition held last July, 2005 at the Limketkai Center grounds," Mr. Villar said. "We take trail rides in Bukidnon because it's safe and many of the trails have already been blazed as cattle trails by the ranchers of Bukidnon."

Iko Roa, who is probably the most experienced among the Kagayan de Oro Horsemen, has been riding for ten years and was professionally trained as a horse trainer and riding instructor in the Equestrienne Promotion International School in Mabolo, Cebu owned by Ramon "Tito" Garcia.

"I taught for seven years in Cebu, Manila and Alabang during the 1980s where our school also opened branches," he recalls. The school in Mabolo had some 40 horses and up to 10 students training together at any one time, among them now Rep. Raul del Mar of Cebu.

Besides training would be riders in the proper riding techniques, as well as the care and grooming of their horses, Mr. Roa also trains horses and riders train for competition in the Southern Philippines horse riding skills competition "circuita" which covers Cebu (March), Malaybalay (June), Davao (July), Cagayan de Oro (August) and Impasug-ong (September).

The competitions are mostly timed during the town fiestas or festivals where they have been a consistent drawer of appreciative crowds, and usually features riding skills competitions involving men and their horses such as barrel racing, obstacle course and oval track racing divided into three divisions: novice, expert and executive (for those aged 40 years and above).

In particularly large competitions, the riders are further classified into youth, ladies and auxiliary divisions, with the latter consisting mostly of ranch hands who ride for a living.

Although he is a professional horse trainer and riding instructor, Mr. Roa says he rides for the full-body workout it provides as much as gaining new knowledge and skills to further hone his craft.

In their latest trail ride last Saturday, April 14, some 15 Kagayan de Oro Horsemen trekked nine hours from Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich to Libona, Bukidnon and thence to Cagayan de Oro.

"We hope to make trail riding the next big thing after white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro," said Mr. Paras.

Visitors or residents wanting to try the sport can try going horseback riding at the 2,000 hectare Mapawa Nature Park reforestation area in Bgy. Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City. It's very affordable at only P75/head for a 15 minute trail ride to P175/head for one hour, free riding instructions included. There's also a three hr. trail ride to the park's 55 foot waterfalls or two hr. cowboy trail ride through the cattle pasture.

But for Mr. Paras, Mr. Villar, Mr. Roa and the rest of the Kagayan de Oro Horsemen, still nothing compares to the thrill and enjoyment of a real trail ride in the highlands of Mindanao.

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