Sumba Island Has Great Potential as World-Class Equestrian Sport Tourism Destination

Sumba Island in East Nusa Tenggara Province has great potential as a world-class equestrian sport tourism destination, according to Triwatty Marciano, Chair of the Presidium of the National Confederation of the Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (Pordasi). “Sumba has a strong horse-riding culture. A society that loves equestrian sports. Quality local horses. And extraordinary natural panoramas are strengths that not many regions possess,” Triwatty said in an official statement in Jakarta on Monday. The statement was made following the national equestrian confederation’s visit to Sumba Island to inspect horse racing arenas, including the venue to be used for the 2028 National Games (PON). The arenas visited included Omba Calo field in Loura District, Southwest Sumba Regency, the Rihi Eti racecourse in Prailiu, East Sumba Regency, and the Pada Eweta horse racing arena in Waikabubak, West Sumba Regency. The three locations have been designated by the Central Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) as venues for the horse racing sport at PON XXII/2028 NTT-NTB. Traditional horse racing on Sumba Island has the opportunity to gain wider recognition as part of national achievement sports through multi-sport national championships such as PON. Beyond the PON preparations, Triwatty said the “Island of a Thousand Horses” holds great potential because it combines sport, culture, and natural beauty. Horse racing has evolved into a culture that blends with natural charm, thus attracting tourists and sports enthusiasts from various regions and even abroad. “This uniqueness gives Sumba’s horse racing added value beyond just a sports competition,” she said. She encouraged the integrated development of equestrian sports potential on Sumba Island to provide broad benefits for the community. Triwatty hopes more championship events will be held on the island beyond PON 2028, aiming to increase opportunities for improving local community welfare through equestrian sport tourism. The National Confederation of Pordasi is also running the “Aman Berprestasi” (Safe Achievement) campaign, which places athlete protection as a key element in equestrian sports development in Indonesia. This commitment was demonstrated by distributing 90 domestically produced body protectors and helmets to four regency governments: East Sumba, West Sumba, Central Sumba, and Southwest Sumba.