More honors for Cojuangco sisters

Danielle Cojuangco mounted European warmblood Ascot T to first place in the Mayor’s Challenge Trophy and younger sister Paola, on Just Henry, topped the Southeast Asian World Cup Young Rider League at the 3Q course in Kuang, Malaysia, last weekend as the teenaged equestriennes continued to reap showjumping honors for the country in the second of five shows leading to the Asian Games in Busan next month.

Danielle, 17, figured in a jump-off with aunt Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Sirra Konglapamnuay of Thailand and Eric Koh of Malaysia before ruling the Section 3 (1.3 meters) class that had 18 starters trotting on the rain-soaked course.

Mikee, on Rustic Rouge, was off to a flying start in the jump-off but was assessed four jumping and 13 time faults for missing the third fence in a lapse of concentration and circling back to settle for fourth place. Koh toppled a fence to wind up third. Danielle and Sirra both cleared the obstacles without a fault. But Danielle took first place on a clocking of 47.21 seconds. Sirra finished slightly over a second below.

Paola, 16, bested a field of 13 starters in the Young Rider League for 16 to 21 year-old showjumpers. She cleared her first run with three others and rode another faultless course to take top honors in the jump-off.

The Mayor’s Challenge Trophy and the Young Rider League were among several events in the three-day Malaysian Open. The Philippines was represented by the Cojuangco sisters, Mikee, and Vic Barba. They were accompanied by Mitos Balofsky of the Philippine Equestrian Association.

Danielle’s strong showing in the pre-Asian Games shows has assured her of a slot in the national squad competing in Busan. Also in the squad are Mikee, Toni Leviste, and Michelle Cojuangco-Barrera. The withdrawal of Paola Zobel from the team has opened a slot for the younger Cojuangco, Paola, to make it as a reserve.

Danielle said the national riders are on track in their training program. "Last year, when we competed, we were happy just to finish," noted Danielle, a senior at Woodrose high school in Alabang. "But this year, we’re fighting for honors. Our coach (Chris Chugg) wants us to go for first place all the time because he’s confident we can do it. If we lose, coach Chris tells us we beat ourselves, that we didn’t lose to better opposition. He really drives us hard. And we’re getting better because of him."

The other national riders, Leviste and Barrera, are training in Europe and will join the team in Busan.

Paola, a Woodrose varsity volleyball player, said she was in shock after winning the Young Rider League. Her rise to prominence as a showjumper was described as "meteoric" by equestrian experts. "I didn’t think I could do it," gushed Paola, recalling her masterful rides to clinch the Young Rider title.

Additionally, the Cojuangco sisters figured prominently in the Open’s other events. Danielle finished second on Ascot T in the Southeast Asian League World Cup (1.4 meters) and Paola took third on Just William. Winner Quizer Ambak on Red Cloud captured the crown after a jump-off with the pretty sisters whose grandparents are San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo and Gretchen Cojuangco. The sisters’ parents are Pangasinan Rep. Mark and Kimi Cojuangco.

It was the first major ride for Paola who had never before competed at the World Cup level. Although underaged, Paola was allowed to ride in the 18-and-over event by organizers on condition she would not collect prize money for her placing. She surprised the experts by qualifying for a jump-off but wound up third with a 37.93 second clocking on four faults. Danielle timed 36.62 seconds with four faults in her jump-off while Quzier clocked 36.13 seconds with no fault.

Paola also finished second and third, on different horses, in the Habib Jewels Queen’s Cup, an all-girls competition. She rode Just William to a clear course in 28.17 seconds and Just Henry to another clear course in 28.43 seconds. But Rahida Razak, on Pirash, outclocked Paola when she timed in 27.87 seconds to clinch first place.

Mikee, preparing for her second Asiad appearance, took fourth in the TV3 Open Challenge on the first day of competitions. Barba, a fashion designer, finished third on Boytoy in the Tourism Malaysia Challenge Trophy (1.05 meter).

Three more shows are scheduled in Malaysia for the Philippine riders who leave Wednesday for another weekend campaign.