Two riders of excellence

‘At the recent Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the Philippines was represented by two decorated riders in equestrian events and while they failed to land a podium finish, their performance was heralded as a milestone in the history of the Equestrian Association of the Philippines (EAP). Sydney Olympian Toni Leviste, 53, made her dressage debut in the Asiad after a long absence from the quadrennial conclave since bagging a silver in team jumping at the 2002 edition. Colin Syquia, 52, marked his first appearance in the Asian Games and turned heads in placing ninth of 29 in individual jumping with a height of 1.45-1.50 meters. For EAP president Michelle Barrera Juban, the results were just a part of the story that the riders told in their journey of perseverance, teamwork and willingness to pursue improvement.

It wasn’t easy for Leviste and Syquia to bring themselves up for another run at the international level now that they’re in their 50s. But their love of country and sport provided the motivation to go through grueling rounds of practice all over the world to compete in Nagoya. For Leviste, transitioning from jumping to dressage was a challenge that she readily took on without hesitation. She broke into the discipline in 2022 and last year, became the first-ever Filipino to win a Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI)-level dressage competition in Europe, clinching gold at the Prix St. Georges in Belgium. The 5-2 rider from Lipa had won a gold in team and silver in individual, both in jumping, at the 2005 SEA Games and added two silvers in the same events at the 2011 gathering.

In Nagoya, Leviste finished No. 34 of 45 competitors from 16 countries and won over riders from Korea, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, India and Bahrain. On top of 18-year-old Lacoste 126, Leviste wrote another chapter in her Asian Games career. “Having spent decades representing the Philippines in international show jumping, Toni’s transition to dressage reflects her enduring passion for horses and determination to continue learning and evolving as an athlete,” said Juban.

Syquia, a 2017 SEA Games team jumping silver medalist, impressed the audience with his poise in Nagoya. Aboard Hocus Pocus, he defeated contenders from Korea, Indonesia, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Kuwait to finish in the top 10.

“Their journey from Wellington, Florida, through New York and Aachen, Germany, before arriving in Japan was a remarkable undertaking, requiring months of preparation, international coordination and collective commitment of an entire team,” said Juban. “Toni and Colin shared the same responsibility to represent the Philippines with pride, uphold the highest standards of horsemanship and demonstrate the dedication required to compete among Asia’s finest. Behind their performance were countless hours of training, international travel, complex logistics and the unwavering commitment of coaches, grooms, veterinarians, horse physiotherapists, owners and team management. Their journey reminds us that international sporting excellence is built not only through results. Transporting elite competition horses internationally, navigating quarantine and veterinary requirements, coordinating athletes and support personnel and adapting to changing schedules required meticulous planning and constant collaboration. There were unexpected setbacks, difficult decisions and moments that tested the determination of everyone involved. Yet through every challenge, one principle remained unchanged: Our collective responsibility to our athletes, our horses and the Philippine flag.”