Wright Park Riding Circle
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The reason I love Baguio is because I can ride a horse and explore the mountains on any given day!
One of my earliest childhood memories is of a pony ride during one of my first visits to Baguio, when I was about 6 years old.
It was a large black horse that was a little frisky and what an adrenalin rush (could not have known that then) it was -- to ride like the wind, or even just to commune with nature and interact with one of the most beautiful creatures on earth! .
I remember that in the early 1970s, an hour on horseback was just Php5.00, which was about a day's wages in the Philippines!
How Much Does an Hour on Horseback Cost? Three decades later (2008 rates), an hour on horseback will cost you about Php300.00 -- still cheap considering how much it costs to maintain a horse (ever hear the phrase "eats like a horse?"), still about a day's salary for minimum wage earners.
Still cheap compared to the Php500 they charge in other tourist destinations in the Philippines, like Tagaytay or Subic, where horse rides are offered, too. And yet the temperatures here are way cooler -- perfect for exploring the surrounding hills of Baguio or just riding around the Riding Circle
Parents prefer to treat their young children to a hour's pony ride at 'Ride Park' (that lower portion of Wright Park called the Riding Circle), where they can be observed, photographed and videoed althroughout.
This is the riding area for beginners. There is an inner circle for walking horses and an outer circle for the running horses. Only pony boys are allowed in the Riding Circle, parents and yayas will just have to use zoom lens.
Accredited Pony Boy Guides, usually the horse owner himself, or his employee,will watch the horse and rider at all times -- he can lead the horse, walk along side it or ride behind the child for the latter's protection and enjoyment of a faster ride. The pony boys are experienced handlers, as their fathers were before them.
Oh, and by the way, please don't take the 'boy' literally -- most of the Pony Boys are grown men, some are grandfathers even!
The grooviest and nicest Pony Boy I would recommend is Scott -- he knows how to take care of his customers -- looks more like an Indian than a cowboy, by the way. (Update: Scott has recently been elected president of their association)
The more seasoned Pony Boys are Adonis and Julius. These men have large horses that run well.
The Pony Boys are professional -- they do not cheat you, they keep the correct time as far as your hour is concerned. As a default, I would recommend you choose the older and more experienced ones. They usually own the better horses, too
Should you tip the Pony Boys after a ride? They will never say no to a Coke, or maybe some ice cream, or even cheap lunch at Cowboy's Haven. But tipping is up to the cusomter and deifinitely not required.
I just usually extend my hours at Wright Park Riding Circle by 'interviewing' the Pony Boys and talking for a few more hours about horses. Building a relationship with them as a regular customer ensures that they offer you the best rides every time!
Oh, but I don't want a fast horse for my child! Oh there are many walking horses. Choose a horse that is proportionate in size to your child. It would be better if you asked around first or observed others before choosing one. You can also read one of my early articles Ponies With Pink Hair at Baguio Insider.
Many enjoy exploring the hills of Baguio City on horseback. A regular one hour trail ride is very common, especially for young adults.
Now that most Baguio roads are fully developed, a lot of the trail rides are accessed via paved roads. It is essential to take a guide along with you to take you there, and more importantly, to be around to help the riders and horses along the way. more ...
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