At 3 p.m., the traditional Annexation Tope horse parade began a tour of the main streets of Nicoya, amidst a very festive mood and passion for the equine culture, organized by the Nicoya Riders Association (ASOCANI).
This is the eighth consecutive year that ASOCANI has handled the planning. Ronald Montero, vice president, said this year around 400 riders successfully participated from Hojancha, Barra Honda, Nicoya, San Carlos, and even Atenas, among other areas representative of Costa Rican equine tradition.
“Nicoya is very given to horses. It’s a tradition that goes from generation to generation, so it’s pretty much in our blood, so that the tope is well liked within the Annexation activities,” commented Montero.
Among the participants was Marco Montes, a rider from Barra Honda who represented the San Andrés Riders Association, which this year had a strong presence at the tope, due to their flashy uniforms.
Women riders were also very well represented, as was the case of Maria Elena Zeledon of Nicoya, who participated for the second time in the tope. “I really like this tope because it’s a great opportunity to celebrate this beautiful land of Guanacaste amongst friends, doing what we love, riding,” Zeledon said.
The tope closed with an open air dance party with great participation not only of riders, but of all the people, during which ASOCANI gave away a series of prizes such as saddles, halters and bridles, among others.
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