They're cancelling the cabalgata at the Feria de Cali this year

billyb says on Aug 7, 2007, 09:44:

This really sucks as that was my favorite part of the fair, but they do need to do a better job of protecting the horses than they have done in the past, although last year wasn't bad.

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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 09:47:

Ooops sorry to hear that!

Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin

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billyb says on Aug 7, 2007, 09:52:

There's still hope :)

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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 10:05:

Yeah it's cool but i heard about 8 horses were killed last year and 15 of them were lost, something like that anyway. The jinetes get drunk and then they abuse the horses, or people throw things at the horses, it's a shame it has to be ruined that way. Still there are other aspects of the feria you could enjoy if not this one?

Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 7, 2007, 10:33:

billyb says on Aug 7, 2007, 10:34:

Last year was ok, it was in '05 that it was really bad. The problem is you get a bunch of drunks that rent the horses instead of owining them and so they mistreat them. I don't care if the jinites get hurt, just the horses ;) I do enjoy the whole thing, but since I was a child, this has been my favorite part.

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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 10:40:

Arthur what part of the feria is that?..

I have never been but I know some other people who love that part of la feria, I hope they don't cancel it for you..

Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 7, 2007, 11:12:

I think it's a good thing that the alcalde has decided to put a stop to that rather embarrassing spectacle into which the cabalgata has turned lately. Drunken riders, animal cruelty and mafia princesses with humongous silly-cones and half-naked riding on ugly horses...

The feria is in need of new ideas.

Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 11:15:

silly-cones jaja

Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 7, 2007, 11:21:

Before, the local social clubs used to participate in the cabalgata in old-fashioned Spanish riding costumes, with el sombrero cordobés an all on caballos de paso fino and it was a pleasure to watch it. Now it's the "chusma" that has taken over, too much aguardiente, too much people behaving like idiots, dead and ill-treated horses abandoned in parks and a little where ever. The drug culture and the cartel economy have definitely damaged Cali in every sense of the word.

Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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billyb says on Aug 7, 2007, 11:33:

Desi, you're right they have ruined it. We used to take pride in bringing our best Paso Finos and riding in a group with family and friends and now you get a bunch of idiots that know and care nothing about horses or the tradition, renting them from stables in Jamundi and getting drunk and mistreating the horses, but the solution is not cancelling it, but controlling and making it better and safer.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 7, 2007, 12:10:

You're right, perhaps. I don't see, however, how it could be re-structured and made better, safe for humans and animals, with the dignity and elegance it once had. Perhaps the participation should be limited to the members of riding clubs? Only people who owned their horses could ride? It would become elitist and that is not good either....

Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 12:13:

I don't think that would be elitist personally.

Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin

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elmodefoque says on Aug 7, 2007, 12:22:

they aint got no money

I'll get there, when I get there!

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elmodefoque says on Aug 7, 2007, 12:23:

carnaval de curramba has NEVER been canceled in over 185 years

I'll get there, when I get there!

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 7, 2007, 12:25:

Oh dear, you've been listening too much diomedes the scum of the earth; you're becoming delusional. (Tongue.in-cheek just un case you guys didn't think so)

Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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billyb says on Aug 7, 2007, 12:48:

Maybe they can levy a special surcharge on the riders to hire more security or police presence for the occasion to remove riders and onlookers that are mistreating the animals or getting out of hand. Of course some of these traquetos would just pull a gun if faced with an unarmed private security person, so there's no easy solution.

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 7, 2007, 12:56:

LA_MONA says on Aug 7, 2007, 13:10:

You're so lucky arthur ;-)) Still I'll be there soon.

Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin

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billyb says on Aug 7, 2007, 13:17:

AB, I thought they were bringing you your lunch al domicilio ;)

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 7, 2007, 13:44:

billyb says on Aug 7, 2007, 15:20:

I don't know if her outfit could be considered traditional, but at least she's making en effort :)

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honey says on Aug 7, 2007, 21:40:

Desi, I think you are absolutely right. I have never met a person who actually said how great the Cabalgata is. Instead, most complain that it is a "Cabalborrachos." Personally, I am looking forward to the Feria this year since it is the 50th anniversary and it's been a few years since I spent Christmas en mi Cali Bella. I was talking the other night to my dad who retired and moved back to Cali and we were commenting how so much of the Feria really wasn't within the budget of most Calenos....any thoughts on that? But I guess the big big question is what would be the official inauguration of the Feria without the Cabalgata.

Life is what happens when you're busy making plans - John Lennon.

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billyb says on Aug 8, 2007, 06:13:

Honey, I'm assuming these people you heard talk didn't actually participate in it.

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 8, 2007, 08:23:

honey says on Aug 8, 2007, 16:41:

billyb - If participate means ride, then no - these people years ago were spectators and tell tales of how the event presently is nothing like it was before.

AB - The Tascas are my favorite part of the Feria also. I love the big concert at the stadium, but you can catch a concert there anytime. The Tascas on the other hand are only once a year.

Life is what happens when you're busy making plans - John Lennon.

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billyb says on Aug 8, 2007, 17:26:

But Honey, take soccer (futbol), it's full of trouble makers starting fights and ruining it for the rest, do you suggest abolishing soocer also, or would be better to work to control the troublemakers and let the rest enjoy the game?

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honey says on Aug 8, 2007, 18:23:

Billyb, please don't get me wrong. I think it's a shame that a yearly event like that has to end. But I also have to assume that if the organizers have felt the need to resort to such an extreme measure it's because presently there is no way they can make it a truly safe event. I do sincerely hope that it is merely a temporary measure. I have to confess, that after an especially non-eventful Christmas last year in NY I promised myself that I would be in Cali for the coming Christmas. My cowboy hat has been hanging on a peg all these months and all along I had hoped to wear it and take a peek at the Cabalgata.

And speaking of futbol trouble-makers, let me tell you about the last time I went to a "Clasico" in Cali. Of course the game was sold out, and there was a lot of excitement. (And as Desi says, there were many silly-cones, ha ha ha) Anyway, as I look over to the other side of the stadium I see smoke. The fans had started a fire. Can you imagine? A FIRE. One fan had began to burn a banner of the opposing team. I was ready to run out of there, and everyone just sat there calmly commenting but not moving. Thankfully, it was quickly extinguished but I was pretty nervous after that.

The last question I have for now is that I wonder if it's the cancelation of the Cabalgata and the resignation of the Director of the Feria Samuel J. Gonzalez is merely coincidental or if one has to do with the other. Hmmm.....

http://www.feriadecali.com/portal/cali/mas/con-exito-concluye-su-gesti...

Life is what happens when you're busy making plans - John Lennon.

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billyb says on Aug 8, 2007, 21:08:

Hmmm indeed. I've been warming to Desi's suggestion of making the riders be affiliated with riding clubs that would have to be registered to ride in the cabalgata and thus suseptible to loosing their riding priviliges if their members make trouble. It would create peer pressure from the other riders that don't want to get the boot to behave. BTW, I can imagine it (the clasico) :)

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