Big boost for equestrian

The staging of the three-leg Equestrian Association of the Philippines (EAP) National Championship Series marked a first-ever milestone in the local history of the horse-and-rider sport with champions crowned in four categories. An enthusiastic crowd was on hand to witness the final rounds of the series featuring the FEI World Jumping Challenge, a hybrid international competition initiated by the world federation’s Solidarity program. The third leg was recently held at the Alabang Country Club.

According to EAP president Michelle Barrera-Juban, the World Jumping Challenge offers athletes, who under normal circumstances, are unable to participate in international competitions due to various factors (like travel costs, distance), the opportunity to join without leaving their home countries. The hybrid event is meant to bridge the national and first international levels with the objective of developing riders in different disciplines through their local federations. It’s open to all athletes from the start of the calendar year in which they reach their 14th birthday. Athletes who’ve participated in more than three international competitions at 1.35m or higher in the same year are not eligible.

During the third leg, Deila Joson on Clever Girl won the World Jumping Challenge Category C Competition 3 and secured the 1.10m national title. Joson, 18, is a Year 12 student at FEU Diliman and describes Clever Girl as “a real madame – loyal, smart and sassy.” In the newcomer class, Ananya Chulani on gelding Kaikoura Ace topped the event. Chulani, 16, started riding before she turned 10 and trains under coach Danni Virata, manager of the Philippine equestrian team at the 2017 SEA Games. Despite Chulani’s win on the third leg, Sophia Lacson had compiled enough points from all three legs to clinch the national newcomer championship.

In the 80cm and 1m finals, Amalia Aboitiz on Utopie Des Grezils made it three wins in a row in both categories, galloping away with two national titles in the process. Aboitiz, 15, began riding at nine and is coached by 1997 SEA Games silver (team dressage) and bronze (team showjumping) medalist Janine Santos Felix and her mother Nikki Revilla Aboitiz. Felix has mentored her sister, daughters and nieces, many of whom compete at national and international levels. Her daughter Isabella recently claimed the gold medal at the CSI-J-B Princess Club in Bangkok last December.

“The national champions were decided through a point score system over the course of the three legs (on separate weekends),” noted Barrera-Juban. “Riders had to complete the series to be eligible for the four national titles. The most consistent performers finished on top. It was a wonderful way to showcase the country’s rising stars. The national champions won one full clinic on their horse with an international clinician this year along with outfits from Aura Athletica, feed from ACGS Feeds and products from Belo Medical Group. We could not have made this a success without the support of our 2026 partner Southlinks Estate and our championship partners, PSC, San Miguel Corp., Aura Athletica, Rockwell Land, ACGS, RHK Land, Don Papa Rum, Shang Properties, Santa Ana Gin, Mabuhay Studios and Belo Medical Group.”