Are you looking for another form of adventure in Cebu? How does horseback riding in the highlands sound?
We visited BIG Q’s Mountain Horseback Riding Adventure upon invitation by its good-humored owner, Anton Quisumbing.
If you’re worried about taking up too much time to get there, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s no need for you to waste long driving hours to have a horseback holiday. Nicknamed as Big Q Farm, the place is located at Kilometer 27 Transcentral Highway, Sitio Cantipla 2, Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City. This yet undiscovered treasure is just about 30 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Whether you are a visitor from another country interested to discover Cebu’s unique habitat or a local who loves horseback riding, Big Q promises an unforgettable adventure as it brings you up close and personal with Cebu’s rich tropical wilderness. Nestled 960 meters above sea level, the farm has a significantly cooler and quieter atmosphere. Allow your senses to be engulfed by the sounds of chirping birds and other forest animals. The place gives you the chance to quickly escape from the chaotic daily grind and offers you a venue where you can relax your mind and invigorate your senses.
Specializing in mountain horse trail riding for beginners and advanced skill riders, Big Q Farm was established in 2002. It is owned and operated by Anton Quisumbing, the founder of Cebu Equine Owners, Breeders and Sportsmen Association (CEOBSA) and The Philippine Horsemen’s Federation. The farm has a total of eight (8) well-trained mountain-bred riding ponies and horses for first timers and expert riders. The types of horses that they have are Quarter /Thoroughbred Horse and native stock mix, and Arabian Horse and native stock mix.
Riding a horse for the first time may get scary but the very hands-on owner and his experienced mountain guides will give you short lessons so your ride will be safe and enjoyable. You will be taught the riding techniques in checking the horse and its tack, safely getting on and off and properly handling the horse. The guides, who are local residents with years of experience in horse trailing, make sure that the ride in the mountains is not only fun but safe as well.
Everyone from beginners to expert riders will have a perfect riding experience along fresh pastures and scenic mountain ranges. The land is known for different varieties of unique birds, wild chickens, melo (a type of wild cat), and other animals. You may spot them as you travel around the terrain and cross a river. The trail for the whole-day ride leads to a stunning waterfall. You may spend a few hours in the area swimming in the cool refreshing waters, having a picnic or taking a quick nap while basking in the serenity of the place.
Here are the ride packages that Big Q offers:
30-minute ride
-minimum of three (3) riders at a time
-additional fee for less than three (3) riders
1-hour ride
-trail around the farm and through the forest with a scenic view of Cebu’s mountainside
-minimum of three (3) riders at a time
-additional fee for less than three (3) riders
2-hour ride
-trail around the farm and through the forest with a scenic view of Cebu’s mountainside
-minimum of three (3) riders at a time
– additional fee for less than three (3) riders
half-day river adventure ride (Highly recommended)
-downhill and uphill riding through the mountain, river crossing and cantering in the river
-minimum of two (2) riders
-additional fee for solo riders
whole-day river adventure ride/ Vaquero special package (Highly recommended)
– downhill and uphill riding through the mountain, ride to the river and waterfall with option to go swimming
-inclusive of barbecue lunch
-minimum of two (2) riders at a time
-additional fee for solo rider
All packages are inclusive of horses, trail guides, basic introduction to horsemanship lessons, and bottled water. Before riding, make sure you are wearing proper attire, not just to get the complete cowboy feel, but to prevent getting sunburned or injured. The required attire consists of long pants/riding pants, tops with sleeves, riding shoes/ boots with heels, and helmet/riding cap. Don’t forget to bring along sun block and a camera to capture your great adventure. Plus, if you’re taking the waterfall options, be sure you’re wearing swimsuits/trunks underneath your riding attire as you’ll find it truly difficult to resist the temptation of taking a dip once you’re at the falls.
If you’re not up for a challenging adventure and you don’t want to go trail riding, you may spend a laid-back time at the farm exploring their herb garden and butterfly sanctuary. Other activities include river trekking, waterfall swimming, bird watching, spelunking, and carabao riding.
Big Q also boasts of a well-maintained and furnished rustic cabin for day and overnight use. It has two rooms with beds, a comfort room, a dining area and a kitchen. It also has a nice fireplace that adds a cozy touch to the chilly countryside ambiance. The overnight stay for two costs Php2,800. This cabin can accommodate up to eight people for an additional payment of Php600 per person.
Big Q Farm will definitely craft your dream horseback holiday and more. For rates and arrangements, you may call them at (0917)311-2011, (0927)544-6349 or (0932)253-5833. You may also check out their site at http://bigqfarm.com and Facebook fan page at http://facebook.com/pages/BIG-Qs-Mountain-Horseback-Riding-Adventure/190687717637350.
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