Philippines 1st iSportlife Equestrian Cup by FILA @ Manila Polo Club

Last February 28, 2015 at the West Polo Field of the Manila Polo Club located in Makati city. It was a very shiny and exotic day for this sport that is first to be done here in the Philippines though most of our known Billionaires have trained their child, children to be a rider and an equestrians. Because they have their own stallion , trained , and reared by themselves helped by the professional of .course.
Mr. Butch Albert, the man behind iSportlife Inc., (FILA Philippines), a leading distributor and wholesaler of world-class sport shoes and apparel, sponsored the 1st iSportlife Equestrian Cup  in Makati City and said that. It was one of his dreams to be a part of such activities because it was once a sport only for the  elite people in the West. Many of whom are the Kings and Noblemen of the times.
           
Equestrian is a competitive sport referring to the skill of riding, driving, steeple chasing or vaulting with horses. This time a couple of  benches with a particular order of heights specified every categories.  A participant should have a scores that would be the highest per category.  Before every competition, the horses undergo a ‘dressage’ or progressive training process composed of high-level of impulsion, collection, and obedience programs to be able to successfully perform a wide variety of disciplines.
                             
             
The sport involves ‘show jumping’ comprising of a timed event judged on the ability of the horse and rider tandem to jump over a series of obstacles, in a given order and with the fewest refusals or knockdowns of portions of the obstacles. It is an accident prone sport thus the riders are expected to have proper training and to intimately bond with their own stallion for a more effective execution of the special moves involved in the competition.
This is the first time this kind of competition was held in the Philippines. There were 4 categories competed by determined riders that all showed their enthusiasm in claiming a spot among the top winners:
First Category is the 0.75 m class. The riders were Nikki Aboitiz, Jan Sy, Sofia Haresco, Vanna Severino, Alex Villalon and Christie Nair with their horses respectively,
                  

The Mac Daddy, Katy Du Pasquier, Bibi, Serena, Chivas and Snowy. Emerging as winners were The Mac Daddy in 1st place, Serena in 2nd place and Katy Du Pasquier in 3rd place.

Second Category is the 0.90 m class. The riders were Paola Lorenzo, Anna Sison, Yoshihiro Yoshida, Gaby Herbosa, Tobi Tensuan, Jan Sy, Nikki  Aboitiz and Xavi Virata with their horses respectively,

                    

Odeon, Castellano, Kevin, Sissi Dela Defliere, Gameboy, Fast A  Minuit, Laika D’ Archonfosse and Upsilon. Odeon won 1st place, followed by Laika D’ Archonfosse and then Gameboy in 3^rd position.

Third Category is the 1.00 m class. The riders were Ileana Imperial, Lara Zobel, Lillian Tang, Christia Flores, Gaby Herbosa, Tobi Tensuan, Anna Sison,Jan Sy, Yoshihiro Yoshida, Xavi Virata, Ileana Imperial, Nikki Aboitiz with their horses respectively,

                     

Ovation, Pablo De Robin, Petttigo Dela Defliere, Gameboy, Castellano, Fast A Minuit, Kevin, Payett Dela Sapaie, Noria Du Causse and Laika D’ Archonfosse. Winners were Pablo De Ronin in 1st place, Gameby in 2nd place and Noria De Causse in 3rd.

Fourth and Last Category is the 1.10 m class. The riders were Paola Lorenzo, Christia Flores, Ileana Imperial, Lillian Tang and Lara Zobel with their horses  respectively,
                      

Azais De Sainte-Hermelle, Constable, Noria Du Causse, Salta De Belleme and Rubis. Azaid De Sainte-Hermelle bagged the 1st place, Noria De Causse was 2nd and Rubis got the 3rd place spot.

The judge of the said competition was Ms. Marivic Cortes and the Course Builder was Mr. Jones Lanza. Announcer was Mr. David Reynolds.
Cocktails followed immediately after the awarding ceremonies at the Last Chukker Garden of the Manila Polo Club.