Ride for Life benefits Philippine Red Cross

MANILA,Philippines — Equestrian Philippines Inc., the country’s leading provider of equestrian training, management, and competition services, will stage the Ride for Life on Nov. 16, serving as the second leg of the EquestrianPH Indoor Championship Series 2019, and the sixth Manila Polo Club Showjumping competition.

The event is held for the benefit of the Philippine Red Cross Blood Samaritan Program which aims to assist patients needing blood transfusions by covering the blood processing fees of legitimate indigent patients.

The event allows individual donors to make donation pledges to the PRC depending on the placings of their selected riders. Patrons may also make donations to the PRC in any amount in the event that their selected rider does not place. The event will feature the country’s mainstay riders, such as series leader Paola Lorenzo, the partially France-based Lara Zobel, upcoming young rider Minxie Romualdez and Egyptian expat Mohamed el Akkad over a course designed by Thibault Trassard, a rider and trainer who has been on the French national team, and has won several French leagues and championships and international grand prix, including those at Auvers and Le Mans.

“By harnessing the participation of the riders beyond the usual competitive sporting sense, EquestrianPH hopes to activate every individual’s inherent humanitarian inclination and desire to help those who are suffering and most vulnerable, done in the context of excellence in equestrian sports,” explained Carissa Coscolluela, president of EquestrianPH and a governor of the PRC, of the event. As part of the sponsorship of the show, EquestrianPH will sponsor first aid and emergency training for all employees of the equestrian facilities of MPC.

Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman and CEO of the PRC, welcomed the event, saying, “We look forward to seeing riders compete not only for a medal or victory for themselves, but also in the name of alleviating the suffering of the most vulnerable people in our society, and we laud this innovative effort by EquestrianPH to get athletes and young people involved in what the Red Cross does.” Ride for Life is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Metro.Style, Metro Society, JFJC Equestrian Training Services, and Leviste Equestrian Park.