The Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (Pordasi) held a national working meeting on February 1-2, 2025. According to Eddy Wijaya, the Daily Chair of Pordasi Pacu, one of the focuses will be to address the stigma associated with gambling on horse racing. Furthermore, the federation will optimize the potential of traditional horse racing throughout Indonesia.

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This national working meeting was held simultaneously by the four federations affiliated with Pordasi: Pacu, Equestrian, Polo, and Horseback Archery. After the Chairman of the National Sports Committee (KONI), Marciano Norman, opened the virtual working meeting, each federation continued the meeting separately.

Pordasi-Pacu, said Eddy Wijaya, will optimize the potential of traditional horse racing, which has become a cultural tradition in several regions, such as West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), North Sulawesi, West Sumatra, and Aceh. "It is hoped that this will popularize equestrian sports throughout Indonesia. So, horse racing will not only be contested by athletes and horses from a specific group, but all local horse owners in the region will also be able to actively participate," he said.

Other expected side effects of horse racing include the advancement of local MSMEs, the development of the sports industry, and the attraction of tourists, both domestic and international.

Furthermore, Eddy Wijaya believes there's one more piece of homework that needs to be done: correcting the stigma surrounding horse racing, which has long been associated with gambling.

"Through this media, I need to emphasize to all parties that there is no gambling in horse racing held in Indonesia. So, there's no place for gambling in horse racing arenas. We focus on holding races to achieve success," he emphasized to Edy Suherli, Bambang Eros, Irfan Meidianto, and Dandi Juniar during a recent visit to the VOI office in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. Here is the full interview excerpt.

Horse racing is often associated with gambling. What concrete steps has Pordasi Pacu taken to break this stigma?

Horse racing in foreign countries, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and America, is often associated with lotteries or gambling. There, lottery tickets are sold officially and openly to the public. However, in Indonesia, no horse races are associated with lottery sales because our regulations do not allow for such practices.

Although there is no overt gambling, some individuals do it on a personal level. From an organizational perspective, what efforts are being made to clear this stigma?

Since no party officially organizes lotteries or gambling in horse racing, there is no such element. However, if individuals place personal bets, it is beyond our control. In fact, this isn't just the case in horse racing; other sports like soccer, volleyball, and boxing also experience this, where people often bet on specific clubs or athletes competing. Furthermore, in head-to-head matches, betting practices such as predicting the score are easier to engage in.

Meanwhile, horse racing is more complex because a single race can have 10, 12, or even 14 participants. Through this medium, I need to emphasize to all parties that there is no gambling in horse racing held in Indonesia. Therefore, there is no place for gambling at racetracks. We focus on holding races to achieve success. I hope the public understands that horse racing in Indonesia is different from those abroad. We are not contaminated by lotteries or gambling.

If there are horse races, does Pordasi supervise gambling practices?

We cannot fully control this issue. However, we can ensure that there is no open gambling, for example, via the internet. If online gambling practices accompany horse racing anywhere, the police and Komdigi must take action.

How does Pordasi Pacu encourage the public to view this sport as a competitive sport, not just entertainment with negative elements?

In Pordasi Pacu, there are two categories of competitions: first, competitive racing, and second, traditional racing. There are five regular annual horse racing events: the 3 Mahkota Seri 1, 3 Mahkota Seri 2, the Pertiwi Cup, and the National Championship Seri 1 and Seri 2. Furthermore, each regional board collaborates with the local government to organize national-scale competitions.

Traditional horse racing is typically held in regions such as East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Southeast Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi, which have significant horse populations. In fact, some of the jockeys participating in traditional horse racing are still children.

Does Pordasi have a campaign to popularize horse racing?

Regarding the 2024 Aceh-North Sumatra National Games (PON), the horse race held in Takengon, Aceh, attracted approximately 120,000 spectators. This demonstrates the high level of public enthusiasm for equestrian sports. In the future, horse racing could become a tourist attraction for both local and international tourists.

Furthermore, this also provides an opportunity for regional MSMEs to market their products to visiting tourists. In this way, the wheels of the economy turn, and the country's foreign exchange increases from visiting foreign tourists.

Horses are expensive, and their maintenance costs are also significant. What's the point?

Expensive and cheap are relative terms. Imported thoroughbred horses from England are indeed expensive. However, local horses aren't as expensive. Pordasi has a category for mixed horses, which are thoroughbred stallions mated with local mares. The races are for third-generation (G3) and fourth-generation (G4) horses.

Pordasi has now transformed into four branches: Pordasi Pacu, Equestrian, Polo, and Horseback Archery. What motivated this change?

Pordasi was founded on June 6, 1966, in Bandung. Since 1988, there have been discussions about separating Pordasi because the General Chairperson found it difficult to manage all the existing branches simultaneously. Furthermore, the parent organizations at the global level also differ. Pacu has its own organization, as do Equestrian, Polo, and Horseback Archery.

Until now, Pordasi has been affiliated with the FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale), the parent organization of equestrian sports. However, Pordasi also includes Pacu, Polo, and Horseback Archery. As a result, when other branches wanted to register for international events, they were rejected because they were already affiliated with the FEI.

Finally, in 2024, a transformation was undertaken by separating Pordasi into four more specific branches: Pordasi Pacu, Equestrian, Polo, and Horseback Archery.

What impact will this separation have on the development of equestrian sports in Indonesia, especially in developing quality athletes?

The impact is certainly positive. With each federation led by its own chairman, work programs will be more focused and directed.

What about the dual leadership within Pordasi Pacu? What are the hopes for the future?

In my opinion, there has not been a dual leadership within Pordasi Pacu. There are simply differences of opinion. In accordance with the Minister of Youth and Sports' directive at the 14th Pordasi National Conference on November 13–15, 2024, and the recommendation of the Chairman of the National Sports Committee (KONI), reconciliation is the best solution. We have also met with Mas Aryo Djojohadikusumo to discuss this reconciliation. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly and Pordasi can reunite for the advancement of equestrian sports in Indonesia.

Next steps?

We just have to wait and see. If the top leadership agrees, further technical discussions will follow.

Specifically for Pordasi Pacu, what efforts are being made to improve the quality of athletes?

The main thing is to disseminate the regulations to all members and clubs that support equestrian athletes. We also provide athlete development to improve performance. If necessary, we will bring in coaches from abroad.

Holding regular competitions is also an effective way to boost athlete performance. By regularly participating in competitions, athletes' abilities can be measured, and we can find ways to continuously improve their performance.

Have Pordasi Pacu athletes achieved success in international competitions?

At international events, our athletes have not yet been able to compete much because most racehorses in Indonesia are of a different breed than those used at the international level.

Typically, international horse racing competitions use thoroughbreds. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, racehorses are mostly crossbreds of thoroughbred stallions and local mares. The first-generation offspring are called G1, the second-generation offspring G2, and so on.

Given these constraints, what efforts is Pordasi Pacu taking?

Currently, we are intensifying racing competitions in various regions. We hope this will encourage horse owners to breed superior racehorses that can compete at the national and even international levels.

Thoroughbred horses have standards for care and feeding. The temperature of their breeding areas must also be considered. In their country of origin, England, temperatures tend to be cool due to the subtropical climate. Therefore, we must find areas in Indonesia with temperatures close to these conditions.

Horse racing also has specific classes. What are already being competed in Indonesia?

Currently, horse racing in Indonesia covers distances from 800 meters to 2,200 meters. Because there are several types of horses, the races are divided according to their characteristics. Some horses are suited for sprinting, while others excel in endurance events. Thoroughbred horses are typically used in sprinting categories, while Arabian horses, known for their strength, are more often used in endurance events.

What are the federation's expectations of the government in improving the performance of Indonesian racehorse athletes?

We hope the government will support our horse racing events. We have currently established partnerships with several local governments.

For example, the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) government has supported the King's Cup horse racing competition. Several other regions have also established similar partnerships.

What is the federation doing to involve the equestrian community?

We engage stable owners to encourage them to enter horses and jockeys from their communities. Each race offers prizes that can be used to support the athletes' livelihoods.

With more frequent races, we hope to increase public interest in equestrian sports. Furthermore, this event can also foster and stimulate the creative economy behind each event.

Eddy Wijaya, Between Podcasts, Films, and Foundations

Eddy Wijaya has been running a podcast for over a year. The program is called EdShareOn: Eddy Sharing and Education. Various political figures, politicians, and experts from various fields have been featured as speakers. In addition to hosting the podcast, he has also worked as a film producer and managed a foundation.

What is the Purpose of Creating EdShareOn? "I started this podcast in September 2023. Many figures from various professions have appeared as my guests. My first guest was Mr. Agum Gumelar. Then came former Minister of Health Siti Fadilah Supari, former Minister of Youth and Sports and Minister of Public Housing under President Soeharto, Hayono Isman, former Minister of Religious Affairs Fachrul Razi, General (Ret.) Andika Perkasa, and many other figures," said the man born on August 17, 1972.

During the uproar over the Constitutional Court's ruling on the age of presidential and vice-presidential candidates, he also conducted an interview with Prof. Dr. Jimly Asshiddiqie. "At that time, my team and I interviewed Prof. Jimly. As a constitutional law expert and former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, he explained in detail the issues currently being discussed by the public and reported by various media outlets," he said.

Being a podcast host allows Eddy Wijaya to learn a lot before conducting interviews with his sources. "I have to thoroughly research the topic I'm going to cover so I can have a conversation with my sources. And what I love is that I can gain a lot of input and experience from interviewing sources from diverse backgrounds," explained Eddy, who enjoys exercising to maintain his fitness and flexibility.

Becoming a Film Producer

The world of cinematography has long captivated Eddy Wijaya. While he wasn't an actor or director, he was involved as an executive producer on the 2016 film "Kalam-kalam Langit."

"In 2016, we produced a religious drama film shot in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). We collaborated with the Al-Aziziah Islamic Boarding School in Mataram, Lombok. Through this film, we also helped promote the tourism sector in NTB," he explained.

Unfortunately, the film, starring Dimas Seto, Meriza Febriani, Elyzia Mulachela, Mathias Muchus, Ibnu Jamil, Henidar Amroe, and others, didn't get much screening opportunity in Indonesian cinemas. "After the film was completed and premiered in Mataram, Lombok, it had very few screening opportunities in cinemas throughout Indonesia," said Eddy, who also actively participates in yoga classes.

From this case, Eddy Wijaya increasingly understood that major cinema chains' support for regional films was still lacking. "This is evidence, experienced firsthand, that film studios and major cinema chains' support for local films is still very lacking. They still prioritize films that appeal to the majority of audiences," he explained, adding that horror and comedy genres were the most popular.

Meanwhile, the films they produce emphasize education and the promotion of local culture and tourism. "Films with comedy and horror elements are more engaging, and this has been proven," continued Eddy, who continues to motivate others to continue striving for success, as success is a matter of time, often delayed.

Wijaya Foundation Cares for the Nation

The inequality he witnessed in many places moved Eddy Wijaya to establish the Wijaya Peduli Bangsa Foundation. "I only established this foundation in March 2024. Our first activity was in the Bantar Gebang area of Bekasi. After that, we expanded our activities to several other areas," he said.

Eddy admitted that since childhood, he has been easily moved by the sight of those in need. "Since I was little, I was quickly moved by seeing people living below the poverty line. Even though my family and I were in average economic circumstances at the time, I ended up helping as much as I could," continued Eddy, who regularly received traditional massages to improve blood circulation.

Initially, Eddy didn't want to tell anyone about his work. "I thought that only God and I knew about what I had done. But over time, a friend suggested that there was no harm in sharing his good deeds so that they could serve as an example for others and motivate them to do the same. It's not about showing off," said the man, who strives to maintain his mental health to avoid stress.

While providing social assistance in various regions, he discovered unique and concerning things. "During a community service in Pademangan, Jakarta, I had a chance to chat with a fourth-grade elementary school student. It turned out he couldn't read yet. I was shocked. A fourth-grade student couldn't read. What was going on? This should be a serious concern for the government and relevant agencies," Eddy Wijaya concluded.

"Through this medium, I want to emphasize to all parties that there is no gambling in horse racing competitions held in this country. Therefore, there is no place for gambling in horse racing arenas. We focus on holding competitions to achieve success."