EAP in search of talented young riders

MANILA, Philippines - The Equestrian Association of the Philippines now under Rep. Carissa Coscolluela is going to the countryside, and not just the posh and exclusive subdivisions, as it widens its search for young and fresh talents that may represent the country in future international competitions.

For starters, Coscolluela said the association is planning to stage novice competitions in cities of Baguio, Tagaytay, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Masbate in search of talents just waiting to be discovered and harnessed for inclusion to the national pool of equestrian riders.

“Equestrian is not restricted to the Manila Polo Club or the other clubs like in BF (Homes),” said the 36-year-old party list representative and a veteran of many international competitions.

“We will go around the country and find young horse riders, from the Mountain Province to Mindanao,” she said, adding that somewhere in Baguio or Tagaytay, where horseback-riding is one of the main attractions, are hidden talents just like caddies in golf.

“It might surprise us to learn that there are kids of these horse attendants who are good riders,” she said. “The youth of our country is our greatest strength. We hope to find the best young riders from the countryside.”

Five foreign coaches and trainers are arriving in the country to train the present crop of athletes who will see action in Southeast Asian Championships scheduled in Thailand in December.

“I hope all these efforts will be productive,” she said, adding that the EAP will remain steady in looking for its own private sponsors and not rely totally from the government.

“We used to be number one in Southeast Asia and Asia. But Malaysia and Thailand have overtaken us. We have to catch up for us to be number one again. And we have more than enough riders to do that. The bench is deep,” said Coscolluela. – Abac Cordero