Riders settle for silver, bronze

The Philippines seized two more medals but missed the individual show jumping gold yesterday in equestrian of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games at the Alabang Country Club polo field.

Steering Globe Platinum Maktub, Toni Leviste unleashed a flawless performance in her final routine but was dragged down to a second place finish by one crucial fault in the first round to finish with four points.

"I was really hoping for the gold not for myself but for flag and God," said the 32-year-old Leviste. "But even though I didn’t win it, I’m happy with my performance."

Malaysia’s Qabil Ambak, atop 15-year-old France-born bay gelding Camelias, incurred only a two-point penalty in his first attempt and a one-point time fault in the second to win the gold with three points.

Juan Ramon Lanza, aboard a 10-year-old Don’t Cry for Me, tallied five points on one jumping fault in the first round and a time penalty in the second to clinch the bronze.

Riding 10-year-old grey gelding Without a Doubt, Joker Arroyo, the 17-year-old daughter and namesake of the Senator, showed a lot of promise but could only finish sixth out of the 10 participants with 17 points.

"She’s just 17 and very young in this event but she really performed tremendously well," said Leviste.

All in all, RP finished creditably in the event after it copped the show jumping team gold medal Friday.