With the Philippines hosting the Southeast Asian Games for the third time this year, officials of the Philippine Equestrian Federation are assembling the best riders possible in a bid for a strong performance.
Leading the way is no less than Toni Leviste and Jones Lanza, who both brought honor for the country in various international competitions.
Leviste is best remembered for being a vital cog in the country’s silver medal finish in the Busan Asian Games’ show jump team event.
On the other hand, Lanza bagged the gold medal in the show jumping event during the 1995 Chiang Mai edition.
"I wasn’t really out of equestrian, I just stopped competing but was coaching in Manila Polo Club and the BF Los Tamaraws," said the 31-year-old Lanza.
PEF treasurer Karisa Coscoluella told media men in yesterday’s Accel-sponsored SCOOP sa Kamayan forum in Padre Faura, Ermita that training has been on high gear for the national equestrian squad.
At present, the national equestrian team is preparing for the World Cup (individual event), which will have five legs held in different parts of Malaysia.
"That would be a good gauge as to how we’d fare in the SEA Games since most of our opponents will be participating in the World Cup. Then the final leg of the World Cup, which offers bigger points, will be held at the Alabang Country Club just before the SEA Games," said Coscoluella.
Equestrian will also be held at the Alabang Country Club come the SEA Games competition, replacing the East Ridge in Binangonan, Rizal, which was earlier announced as its official venue for tournament.