Filipino riders pluck silver

COLIN Syquia, Joker Arroyo and Toni Leviste eke out a come-from-behind win.

The Philippines pulled off a come-from-behind victory to cop the silver medal in the FEI Asian Championships in Pattaya, Thailand recently.

Colin Syquia, Toni Leviste and Joker Arroyo bucked the odds and overcame a tough Uzbek side with flawless rounds before watching Kuwait melt under pressure to emerge with a bridesmaid finish next to powerhouse Hong Kong in the toughest, most prestigious equestrian tournament in Asia.

Syquia, a gold medalist in the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, went first in Chanel One and posted an effortless, immaculate and masterful clear round that gave the Filipinos the confidence they need.

With the Kuwaitis ahead by more than eight faults, Asian Games gold medalist Ali Khorafi suffered an unexpected refusal and a fence down violation that caused the Middle Eastern giants 10 points, giving the Filipinos the silver medal.

“From the start, our team was competing at a great disadvantage with only three riders compared to the usual four of other countries. It normally relieves the riders from a lot of pressure, allowing them to perform at optimum potential,” said Equestrian Philippines, Inc. president Carissa Coscolluela, whose wards recovered from 8.17 points down to dislodge the Uzbeks and grab a chance to steal the silver medal away from Kuwait.

Toni Leviste, who represented the country in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, said their victory was very impossible, but they refused to buckle down to pressure.

“It was a long shot, but we didn’t let that discourage us from trying,” said Leviste, whose clear round on Loribri assured the Philippines of a bronze medal after Uzbekistan succumbed to pressure after Syquia and Arroyo posted competitive scores.

“We caught up after Colin’s and my round, and it was clear that we were hot on their heels. We really couldn’t believe it,” added Arroyo, who was riding on her Asian Games mount Ubama Alia, of the outcome.