Mikee saddles up again in place of Zobel

Here’s another tour of duty for Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski.

After declaring months before that she’s out of the SEA Games, the 31-year-old equestrianne has gladly agreed to see action anew and take the place of teammate Paola Zobel.

Casissa Coscolluela, chef d’equipe of the RP equestrian team, said complications with Zobel’s quarantine arrangements have forced the young rider out of the competition.

Coscolluela said it is now impossible for Zobel to bring her competition horse to the Philippines from Spain where she is currently based.

Cojuancgo-Jaworski, the charming gold medalist in the 2002 Busan Asian Games, was called in to take her place.

"It is unfortunate that Paola Zobel will not be riding for the Philippines this year, as she has trained extensively in Europe and campaigned in the most competitive showjumping circuits there in preparation for the Games," said Coscolluela.

Gracing yesterday’s SCOOP sa Kamayan Forum, Coscolluela said that while the country has lost Paola’s skills, it has gained back Cojuangco-Jaworski’s vast experience.

"We have every confidence that she will make a good contribution to the team," added Coscolluela.

Other members of the RP team to the SEA Games set Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 are Marie Antoinette Leviste, Juan Ramon Lanza and Joker Arroyo, daughter and namesake of the feisty senator.

During the forum, Cojuangco-Jaworski welcomed the challenge which now goes with her responsibilities as SEA Games ambassador and equestrian coach.

Now it’s time to re-focus on training.

"While working on my training, I am also concentrating on keeping my horse, Luisita, in good health, as she has just come out of an injury and is not yet fully recovered," she said.

"I’ve started working her and she’s feeling good, but I have to manage her training toward the SEA Games wisely so as not to risk the recurrence of the injury," added Cojuangco-Jaworski.

Rustic Rouge, who carried Cojuangco-Jaworski to the gold in Busan, is out with a back injury. — Abac Cordero