The great majority of our athletes spend the prime years of their lives wrenching their guts, taking a pounding, fighting their fears, staving off injury and time, in the hope that they would have done enough to inspire the next generation whom they can pass the torch to. Unfortunately, for many of them, they find to their dismay that, as their skills inevitably decline, they have not had enough impact to cement the future of their chosen passion. Like Toni Leviste.
The country’s prized rider had spent a few months after the Sydney Olympics working on her retirement scenario: the Philippines’ first and only "horse spa" in her native Lipa, Batangas. While her favorite mare, Leap of Faith went on "maternity leave," Leviste set about putting together her dream.
"Unfortunately, some of the places that take care of horses here don’t really see what they’ve been doing wrong," the Olympian explains. "First of all, the horse is confined in a very small, 4-meter space. Horses were built to roam. Then, when they do take the horses out to walk them, they don’t do it enough. Then, when the horse acts up, they don’t want to ride them anymore. They never realize what they’ve done isn’t appropriate for the animal."
Projecting that she would have more time after ceasing active riding, Leviste is building a place where she would take care of other people’s horses for them. With grooms who trained with her in Europe and very expensive equipment (including magnetic blankets that improve a mount’s circulation), Leviste wants to have a place where the horses have all the open space they desire and expert medical attention. She’s also is constructing an indoor ring for them to promenade around, as is done in the riding capitals of the world. She intends to also give them the pampering they need, and even the psychological stimulation they require to become receptive to human contact and a relationship with a rider.
"The relationship between horse and rider is quite complex. You don’t just get on the horse and ride," she explains. "It’s more of a partnership. There’s a give and take. You really have to know and understand each other."
She was planning on giving that kind of warm, knowing care to horses that would be brought to her farm, but unfortunately, the flag came calling once again.
"Just when I was telling myself I would retire, I realized that nobody would take my place," she declared. Remember that Leviste has already suffered through more than a few accidents, including a severe fall that fractured her collarbone just six weeks before she was scheduled to compete in Sydney.
"The young equestriennes are really gung-ho, and they’re very good," she elaborates. "A couple of them have even stopped schooling just to train. But they still need experience, and maybe guidance. So I’m going to give it one last shot."
Toni, like Lydia de Vega and many other national athletes before her, is putting retirement on hold. She plans to go back to Europe some time in June to train in time for the Asian Games in October.
"Although what I’m planning is something I find really noble and is my passion, I don’t want to go out unless I know that the next generation of riders is prepared to follow in my footsteps."
Leviste, like a true steward of her craft, knows that her enduring contribution to riding won’t be just for the horses, but for the champions who will be bred through the inspiration and example she provides.