Leviste makes eyes pop in Kuala Lumpur dressage

MANILA, Philippines - Equestrienne Toni Leviste made it back-to-back in Malaysia as she reigned in the Dressage Champions League in the Merdeka Masters in Kuala Lumpur last week.

Teaming up with new partner FAB, a 16-year-old Dutch bred dressage horse owned by Carissa Coscolluela, Leviste bested 2006 Asian Games silver medalist and three-time SEA Games gold medal winner Qabil Ambak of Malaysia to emerge the surprise winner in the event.

“I am as stunned as everyone else. I never expected to do well, more so win over Ambak, the best in the region,” said Leviste.

Leviste and FAB garnered a score of 66.75 percent as against Ambak’s 65.34 percent.

The win came on the heels of the Filipina rider’s victory in the Malaysian Open where she, and regular partner Globe Platinum Just Jewels, marked her triumphant return from a year-long rest.

But the 19-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare sustained injury after the Malaysian Open, forcing Leviste to retire her mount from competitive tournaments.

“I have decided to retire her from competitive sport. I wanted her to end her career on a winning note,” said Leviste.

It was a gamble that paid off as Cosculluela, a long-time patron of Philippine equestrian team, assigned Leviste to enter the dressage event with the former’s own horse.

“We had no doubt that he can do all the required movements in the test,” said Coscolluela.

She, however, admitted that she was not sure how the pair (Leviste and FAB) would fare in the competition against the tough field although she was sure that her horse and Leviste would deliver a decent performance.

“FAB is a grand prix dressage horse, the highest level in this discipline. But he had an accident during air transport from the Netherlands to Malaysia last month where he lost his entire tail due to an infection. For a dressage horse, where beauty and poise are ultimately scored, this situation is considered extremely disadvantageous,” said Coscolluela.