Toni earns royal win in Bahrain

Equestrienne Toni Leviste grappled through a family crisis to score anew by winning in the World Cup Jumping qualifiers in the Kingdom of Bahrain last Friday.

Leviste, aboard her Doha Asian Games mount Globe Platinum Just Jewels, impressed the crowd, which included royalties around the Gulf countries, when they finished with a clear round in a field of 45 predominantly male Arab riders.

Leviste is the first non-Arab to be invited to the prestigious World Cup Arab League.

"It is a great honor to carry the Philippine flag in the Middle East where so many OFWs are based. Being in their company as they cheer for me in the audience is a humbling experience. They (the OFWs) are the true heroes of our country and it is a privilege to make them proud," said Toni upon her arrival yesterday.

Toni competed against riders from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Oman as well as the host country, Bahrain.

Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Al Eid, bronze medalist at the Sydney Olympic Games and HRH Prince Abdullah, grandson of HM King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and team gold medalist in the Doha Asian Games, as well as Qatar’s Ali Al Rhumahi, individual gold medalist at the Doha Asiad along with some of the best riders of the region saw action in the event.

Despite being beset by the crisis that hit her family, Toni said it was upon her dad’s insistence that she finished the Arab League since she has a commitment to the country as a national athlete.

"Now that my dad is sick in the hospital, I’m not sure if I can leave for the last two legs of the competition which will be held in Doha, Qatar and Damascus, Syria, respectively. I will try my best as I don’t want to disappoint my dad and the country. These are trying times, but I am also doing my best to keep my focus."

Toni was seeing action in the grand prix competition when she heard about the news that her father, former Governor Antonio Leviste, who is detained at the Makati City Jail, was rushed to the hospital for low blood pressure and internal bleeding. The elder Leviste is facing murder charge for shooing long-time aide Rafael Delas Alas last month.