The World Cup, one of the three most important events in the international equestrian calendar -- the two others being the Olympic Games and the World Equestrian Games — is run in 13 regional leagues worldwide and participated in by the world’s top riders. The winners of each league advancing to the World Cup Finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2006.
The first six legs of this year’s Southeast Asian league were staged in Malaysia. The Manila final brings together about 25 of the best horse and rider combinations in Southeast Asia, all competing for the coveted right to see action in the World Finals next year.
The scoring formula considers the best four results of the seven scheduled qualifiers with points determined by the riders’ placings. The final will be a thriller as the Federation Equestre Internationale has agreed to the system that gives 150 percent of normal points for the final leg.
"If there is a starting field of 16 or more competitors eligible for points, it means the winner would get 30 points, and the Manila event will most probably decide the league winner," said Carissa Coscolluela, president of the event.
The standings so far have Swedish rider Helena Gabrielsson on top with 58 points, Malaysian equestrian sensation Qabil Ambak with 56, Hong Kong rider Charlotte Morse 45, Philippine rider and former World Cup Southeast Asian League champion Toni Leviste 44, Hong Kong rider Kenneth Cheng 40, Malaysians Lea Tan and Quizier Ambak, and Jennifer Chang of Hong Kong with 37 points each, and Jones Lanza with 27. Gabrielson, Cheng, and Chang, however, will not be competing in the final leg. Thirteen other riders follow the pack.
Event director Mitos Belofsky said 10 internationally-accredited foreign officials, including course designers, jury members, judges, stewards, a veterinarian, and a farrier have arrived to officiate at the event.
"For a competition as important as the regional World Cup Show Jumping Finals, we cannot afford to leave anything to chance, so we have taken great care to ensure the quality and standards of the competition, the safety of the riders and other participants, and the well-being of the horses which, coming from as far away as Europe, will have special needs," Belofsky explained.
The event is sponsored by Del Monte Philippines, Duty Free Philippines, Air Freight 2100, Lifestyle Asia, Smart Communications, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Solar Sports, Jewelmer, Magic 89.9, Gartim, Hy-Power Equine, Inc., and Lifeline Arrows.