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SARGA.CO—Horse racing is often synonymous with an adrenaline rush. At Legok Jawa Horse Racing Track, that thrill is combined with the beauty of a beach directly facing the Indian Ocean. This blend of sport and tourism makes the Legok Jawa track a promising venue for sports tourism.
The Legok Jawa Horse Racing Track has a long history. Its existence is tied to the local community's passion for equestrian sports, which dates back to the 1960s and 1970s.
On a special occasion, the SARGA.CO team met with Asep Noordin, the Head of the West Java branch of PORDASI (Persatuan Olahraga Berkuda Seluruh Indonesia). He explained that the passion of the community in the southern part of Ciamis Regency extended to Pangandaran, including the Cijulang and Cimerak areas.
This passion meant that horse racing had long been well-known and organized in the region.
Legok Jawa was chosen as an alternative horse racing venue due to its significant potential for further development. The push for development also came from a desire to decentralize horse racing from Pangandaran, spreading it to Legok Jawa, given the local community's familiarity with the sport.
Asep added that the tradition of horse racing at Legok Jawa is even held regularly every Eid al-Fitr. The support of the village government strengthened its existence, ultimately leading to the Legok Jawa Horse Racing Track being chosen as the host for the equestrian branch of the 2016 West Java Pekan Olahraga Nasional (PON).
This event marked a significant moment in history as it was the first time horse racing was included in the PON.
Located in Cimerak sub-district, Pangandaran, West Java, the Legok Jawa Horse Racing Track offers a unique and exotic arena.
Situated 34 kilometers from the center of Pangandaran, the track occupies an 18-hectare plot on the edge of Legok Jawa Beach, directly facing the Indian Ocean.
The track is an oval-shaped dirt track, 1,200 meters long and 16 meters wide. Additionally, there is a 300-meter straight track specifically for sprints. These impressive facilities have made Legok Jawa increasingly appealing as a national championship venue and a gateway to Pangandaran's main tourist destinations.
The uniqueness of Legok Jawa lies in the experience of horse racing on a beach. This concept exists in only one other location in the world.
"A track like this, the other one is in England," Asep revealed.
With this unique appeal, Legok Jawa has great potential to develop a sports tourism ecosystem for the community.
The Legok Jawa track uses a special sand layer designed for the character of tropical racing and Indonesian racehorses. The texture is balanced, not too hard and not too soft, which makes the horses more comfortable while racing.
Jockeys also report that the track conditions support performance because the turns are wide enough. This helps horses maintain a stable stride while allowing for maximum acceleration.
The complete and professional facilities further solidify Legok Jawa's status as a prestigious racing venue. This ensures that jockeys and horses can compete comfortably and competitively.
"I've competed in several events here, and this is the best track," said Hanny Suoth, a jockey from King Halim Stable.
From the spectator's perspective, the grandstand at Legok Jawa is modest with limited capacity. Seating is only available on the second floor, so the capacity is not very large.
Citing a study titled Redesigning a Horse Racing Arena as an Educational Tourism Site in Legok Jawa, Pangandaran by Muhammad Luthfi Nur Alamsyah, the arena is equipped with about 80 horse stables and four control towers used by the Steward Board to monitor the race. These towers are located on the north and south sides of the arena.
The Legok Jawa Horse Racing Track also provides two parking areas located behind and next to the grandstand, making it convenient for visitors traveling by land.
The improvements to the Legok Jawa Horse Racing Track for the 2016 PON demonstrated the commitment of various parties. Since then, the track has gained more attention as a location for national championships and a bridge to promote Pangandaran tourism.
The local community has also felt the positive changes. In addition to revitalizing horse racing culture, the track's development has brought about infrastructure improvements. Mobility has become easier, and access to Batukaras is more efficient and free from traffic jams.
Currently, the Legok Jawa Horse Racing Track can be reached by land from Jakarta or Bandung using a private car or bus. Another option is to take a train to Banjar Station, then continue the journey by land for about 2 hours and 20 minutes to the arena in Pangandaran.
For the fastest option, there are flights from Jakarta or Bandung to Nusawiru Airport. From the airport, the land journey takes only about 30 minutes to reach the location. Upon arrival, horse racing enthusiasts can enjoy the excitement of the competition while taking in the stunning panorama of the Southern Pangandaran Beach.
The continuous positive development of the Legok Jawa racing arena is not the end of the journey; it is a catalyst for even better future growth.
Beyond being a sports venue, the Legok Jawa Horse Racing Track is expected to be a driving force for the local economy. Many residents depend on local tourists through the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) they operate.
"Yes, Alhamdulillah, there's an increase. We who sell here also feel it," said Ono Darsono and Iing Khodijah.
New job opportunities have also emerged. Sutisna, for example, now helps clear the track of stones and gravel before a race.
"Alhamdulillah, someone invited me to help with the cleaning here. Previously, I helped pick coconuts and worked at a fish farm," he explained.
Hopes for Legok Jawa's development continue to resonate. The horse racing ecosystem in Pangandaran is believed to be able to support equestrians while improving the welfare of the local community.
The presence of the Legok Jawa Horse Racing Track also brings a breath of fresh air to the national equestrian world. Furthermore, the arena's existence paves the way for the growth of sports tourism, which can drive sports, tourism, and the local economy.
With its great potential, Indonesian horse racing is expected to go further and have an even wider impact in the future.
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