Sukses IHR Merdeka Cup 2025 di Pangandaran, Ketum PP PORDASI

Chairman of PP PORDASI Aryo PS Djojohadikusumo

Success of IHR Merdeka Cup 2025 in Pangandaran, PP PORDASI Chairman Pushes for More Horse Racing Championships Across Regions

SARGA.CO – The Chairman of the Central Board of the Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (PP PORDASI), Aryo PS Djojohadikusumo, hopes to hold more horse racing championship events in various regions of Indonesia, not only on the island of Java.

With the successful staging of Indonesia’s Horse Racing (IHR) Merdeka Cup 2025 at the Legok Jawa Racecourse in Pangandaran, West Java, Aryo expressed his hopes that similar events will be organized in other areas with strong equestrian traditions.

“This time we are in Pangandaran, on the southern coast of Java, where this is PORDASI’s first event in collaboration with SARGA.CO in West Java. This will not only be the first, but there will be more to come,”

Aryo said during an interview with Metro TV on the sidelines of the IHR Merdeka Cup 2025 horse race in Pangandaran, West Java, Sunday, 24 August 2025.

According to Aryo, the previous series of horse racing championships held by PP PORDASI and SARGA.CO took place in Bantul, Yogyakarta, and Tegal Waton, Salatiga. The race tracks in both cities have different characteristics compared to the Legok Jawa Racecourse in Pangandaran.

PP PORDASI, Aryo continued, has long been working to develop the potential of traditional horse racing, which has existed for generations in various regions. In addition to Pangandaran, West Java also has traditional horse racing potential in Garut and Tasikmalaya that could be further developed.

Several regions also have stables with traditional horses as well as thoroughbreds, which are crossbreeds with imported horses.

“For them, it is important to have horse racing in West Java, so we hope that today’s event in Pangandaran will not just be occasional, but should be held more frequently in the future,”
Aryo emphasized.

SARGA.CO

Support is also expected from the private sector through sponsorship of horse racing championship events organized by PP PORDASI. Their participation would help increase prize money and improve the quality of horse racing championships, ultimately advancing equestrian sports nationally.

World-Class Quality

Aryo explained that the track dimensions at the Pangandaran racecourse already resemble those of international tracks.

“In addition to Takengon in Aceh, we also have Legok Jawa in Pangandaran and Tompaso in North Sulawesi,” Aryo noted.

He stated that the track at Legok Jawa Racecourse in Pangandaran was designed to push racing horses to run faster. This differs from Tegal Waton or Sultan Agung Racecourse, which features sharper turns.

“Here, the horses really don’t need to slow down. So today, the winner we got was the one with the strongest speed and stamina,” said Aryo.

Breath-taking Scenery

Beyond the track and its dimensions, Aryo also admired the scenery offered at Legok Jawa Racecourse in Pangandaran.

From the grandstand, spectators can directly view the vast Indian Ocean, with its exotic and refreshing panorama.

“Looking out there, it’s not much different from Southern California in San Diego. Imagine—it’s like a racetrack near LA,” Aryo said, pointing to the ocean view behind him.

In addition to presenting stunning scenery, Aryo also considered the IHR Merdeka Cup 2025 horse race to be a special attraction for foreign tourists vacationing in Pangandaran.

From his observations, several tourists surfing at Pangandaran Beach appeared intrigued by the ongoing racing event.

“They were curious, suddenly seeing a horse race,” Aryo remarked, while also hoping that local tourists could occasionally enjoy beach tourism while watching horse racing.

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