Michelle qualifies for world tilt

It was the perfect birthday gift for Filipina equestrienne Michelle Cojuangco-Barrera.

A day after turning 22, Barrera clinched a ticket to the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany, in August next year by placing second at the Metro Grand Prix in Adelaide, Australia, to complete the full point for a Certificate of Capability (COC) last Sunday.

Barrera gained the first half-point in the race for the COC after topping the Queensland qualifiers two weeks ago. She locked up the second half-point in impressive fashion on Sue Ryan’s tough track despite a runner-up finish in Adelaide.

Gaining the full point vaulted Barrera to the top of the Australian World Cup league standings. She is the first qualifier from the Asia Pacific region.

The world joust is held once every four years. In 2002, Filipina rider Toni Leviste qualified for the World Games in Jerez, Spain, and is remembered for riding a clear first day in the speed class. The Games are considered as prestigious or even more than the equestrian events in the Olympics.

Barrera, the granddaughter of San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo and Gretchen Cojuangco, proudly wore the national colors as she rode her 10-year-old Belgian warmblood gelding Kayak Van Het Gravenhof in Queensland and Adelaide.

Although Barrera has lived in Sydney with her parents, two brothers and sister since 1996, she is staunchly Filipina. The University of New South Wales sophomore psychology scholar wears the Philippine tri-colors on her jacket and her helmet whenever she competes to remind the fans of her heritage.

In Adelaide, Barrera was determined to notch the final half-point. And for a while, it looked like she would do a repeat of her stirring double clear rounds in Queensland. She was the only entry among 15 to finish the first round without a fault or penalty.

But in the second round, Kayak rolled a 1.5 meter vertical and Barrera was assessed a time penalty to register a total of five. Brook Dobbin, riding the 10-year-old gelding Shine, faulted in the 4.2 meter wide open water in the first round and finished with a two-round total of four to wind up first.

A third of the 15 starters faulted at the final 1.6 meter vertical in the Adelaide course and two riders didn’t even make it that far. That was how difficult the track was.

"Now that I’ve qualified, I plan to continue the World Cup league in Australia until April then head to Europe in time to do a few big shows before the World Games begin," said Barrera from Sydney yesterday.

In comparing the Queensland and Adelaide competitions, Barrera said they were both challenging in different ways.

"Adelaide was a step up in technicality from the Gold Coast," she noted. "It was a smaller arena but had more tech lines. Gold Coast was built at a solid 1.6 meters which is the maximum height but we had more room to make it a nicer track. Adelaide wasn’t as solid but it was more tricky. It was a good preparation for Europe."

Barrera dedicated her achievement to her grandparents Ambassador and Mrs. Cojuangco.

"Lolo and ‘Ta (short for Abuelita, Spanish for grandmother) have given me so much support," she said. "This is for them. I will never forget what Lolo told me once, ‘remember to be careful and don’t push too hard.’ After I qualified, I called Lolo and ‘Ta to tell them about it and they were so excited. It’s been our dream for a while–something we’ve been working towards since I got serious about riding in 1996. It’s the realization of a dream and I can’t wait to wear the colors of our country. It’s an amazing feeling. It’s good for the country and great for the sport."

As for her parents Mike and Tina, Barrera said they’ve been spreading the news to friends and relatives all over the world. "They’re thrilled," she said. "It’s a bit embarrassing in some ways because I like being quiet. I’m still trying to get used to the win in the Gold Coast and now this."

Barrera said she wouldn’t have accomplished the feat without her coaches.

"I think I’ve been lucky with my coaches and mentors through the years," she continued. "I started in Manila with my ninang Janine Santos and when I moved to Australia, I trained with Robert Stewart for a few years before going to Chris and Helen Chugg and Vicki Roycroft. Not only have the Chuggs and Vicki become my mentors but they’ve also become like my second parents and are just as excited as my own.

"I’ve been lucky to have such good training with people who know me so well. The greatest part is they’ve never pushed me too hard to break me and have taken me through the ranks, always teaching me to train harder for the bigger picture. I’d like to thank them for that."

For all the achievements, the Asian Games showjumping team silver medalist remains humble and dedicated to her mission of bringing honor to flag and country.