Toni reigns in World Dressage Challenge

MANILA, Philippines - Olympic jumping rider Toni Leviste proved her versatility as she ruled the World Dressage Challenge Advance division at the Manila Polo Club in Makati recently.

Aboard Carissa Coscolluella’s 16-year-old Dutch warmblood gelding, FAB, Leviste scored 61.21 percent to dominate Becca Dosch aboard Lockheart, who had 55.27 percent and Ina Ayala atop Boytoy with 49.86 percent.

Leviste actually endured a fall as FAB bucked at unfamiliar surroundings. She went on to the highest score, en route to the win in the annual international dressage competition.

“I was caught off guard when FAB spun around while giving a giant buck. Before I knew it, I was on the ground,” Leviste said.

“I was wrong to think dressage was safer than showjumping,” Leviste said.

Other winners were Vittorio Barba riding Rustic Rouge in the Medium category, Karen Concepcion on board Dernier Rivage in the Elementary category and Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski on board Noble Blue in the Preliminary category.

A total of 103 riders participated in this year’s World Dressage Challenge where Team Philippines finished third overall.

The Philippines was the final country traveled to by FEI foreign judges Peter Holler of Germany and Jacques Van Daele of Belgium, after judging riders from New Zealand, Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei all belonging to the same regional division in 2010.