Equestrian Philippines, Inc. (EquestrianPH) is committed to promoting excellence in equestrian disciplines and in horsemanship through the organization of and participation in activities, clinics, competitions, and other programs both in the Philippines and abroad with the end in view of upgrading the standard of the sport in the country and achieving excellence to keep our riders competitive in the international arena.
EquestrianPH brings together the efforts of Carissa Coscolluela as President, Toni Leviste (Leviste Equestrian Park) as Vice President, Joker Arroyo (JFJC Equestrian Training Services) as Sports Director, Marivi Camcam as Finance Director, and Anton Barretto as Communications Director under one umbrella, making it the leading provider of equestrian training, competition, management, development, and promotions services in the country.
Equestrian PH has also internationally secured some of the best matched horses for our local riders and have facilitated the importation and entry of these horses into the Philippines through our logistics partner, Peden Bloodstock, in Germany.
Key to the development of riders is a consistent training program with a long-term plan for the progression of riders and horses through different levels.
Over the last 15 years, EquestrianPH has provided intensive clinics with some of the most respected jumping and dressage trainers in the world in both jumping and dressage, among them, the renowned Jos Kumps (BEL), Sebastian Pellon Maison (ARG), Hideo Watabe (JPN), Fred Jansson (SWE), Valentin Marcotte (FRA), Colin Syquia (PHI), Miranda Fischer (USA), Lisa White (NZL), and Guillaume Ducos (BEL).
Care for equine partners is also foremost in the priorities of EquestrianPH. In order to ensure the health and well-being of horses, a careful and thorough maintenance program is implemented under the supervision of some of the top veterinarians in the sporthorse industry, namely, John Österdahl (SWE), Eric Roosens (BEL), Jeroen Lissens (FRA), and Catharina Lange (GER), as well as an excellent farrier, Patrick Vanbeveren (BEL), an equine dentist, Neil Jolly (AUS), and equine chiropractor Lionel Woodward (AUS). All of these professionals come to the Philippines at meticulously timed intervals to provide optimal care for our horses.
EquestrianPH places great importance in the development of young riders as competitive athletes who are prepared to take on the greatest challenges in the sport.
To help hone their skills, EquestrianPH finds the best international training programs for pony, children, junior, and young riders and arrange seasonal training and competition stints for them in the sport’s leading leagues. EquestrianPH also organizes regional inter-club exchanges between the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries in order to expose younger riders to team competitions.
Proof of the success of the EquestrianPH program is the strong presence of its riders at the highest levels of the sport both in the Philippines and abroad. Its national team consists mainly of riders who have grown through its program, and its riders see action in the most competitive arenas in Europe, the United States, and Asia.
KEY EQUESTRIANPH PEOPLE
MA. CARISSA O. COSCOLLUELA, President
Carissa has been involved in equestrian sports as a rider, horse owner, chef d’equipe, sponsor and advocate, and in governance positions since the early 1990s. She served as the Secretary General of the Philippine national federation from 2001 to 2006, having been on the board of the Philippine Equestrian Federation and a founder of its successor, the Equestrian Association of the Philippines. As a Member of the 14th Congress of the House of Representatives, she was an active member of the Committee on Youth and Sports, particularly in the effort to define funding sources and collect revenues for Philippine sports programs. She is currently a Governor of the Philippine Red Cross, and the Chairperson of its Blood Services Program.
Carissa has been a tireless supporter of the National Team and is at the forefront of promoting and securing support and funding for Philippine riders competing at international grand prix level, and at regional, continental, and world championships.
In 2005, she spearheaded the local organization of the Southeast Asian World Cup League Finals in Manila and the equestrian event of the 2005 Manila Southeast Asian Games, sourcing funding and leading all logistics, venue, technical, and team preparation for both events. She has served as the chef d’equipe of the Philippine Team at the 1992 Southeast Asian Showjumping Championships in Hua Hin, Thailand, the 1993 Southeast Asian Showjumping Championships in Singapore, the 1998 Asian Games in Saraburi, Thailand, the 2005 Manila Southeast Asian Games where the Philippines won Team Gold, Individual Silver, and Individual Bronze, and the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
When riding, Carissa is based at the Leviste Equestrian Park in Lipa City, Batangas with her horses Waiducci and FAB. When training in Europe, she is based at Helgstrand Dressage in Vodskov, Denmark, the top dressage facility in Europe, with her chestnut gelding Watson.
MARIE ANTONETTE S. LEVISTE, Vice President
Making the country proud has always been Toni’s dream. Throughout her entire career as an equestrian, Toni has relentlessly pursued making this dream a reality. A true Filipino athlete in her heart and in her soul, she continues her equestrian campaign representing the Philippines in several prestigious competitions, with a passion that drives her to realize her goal of once again competing at the Olympic Games and bringing home a medal for the country.
Toni has represented the Philippines at countless championships, the most prestigious of which were the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the World Equestrian Games (World Championships) in Jerez, Spain in 2002 and in Tryon, North Carolina in 2018, and the 1999 World Cup Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden. She is the only Filipino rider who has qualified to and competed at the three most important events on the international equestrian calendar. She was also the winner of the Grand Prix at CSI Samorin in Slovakia in 2017, for which she was given a citation by the Philippine Sportswriters Association for being the first Filipino rider to win a Grand Prix in Europe.
At regional and continental championships, Toni has consistently delivered for the country, bringing home the following medals: Team Silver–2002 Busan Asian Games and 2011 Jakarta Southeast Asian Games, Team Gold– 2005 Manila Southeast Asian Games, Individual Silver –2005 Manila Southeast Asian Games and 2011 Jakarta Southeast Asian Games.
In the Philippines, Toni owns and manages the country’s premier equestrian facility, the Leviste Equestrian Park in Lipa City, Batangas. As an extension of her operation, she also owns Leap of Faith Global Equestrian Management LLC in Wellington, Florida, a full service company that includes in its portfolio a 3.5-acre world-class equestrian facility in the winter capital of American equestrian sports.
JOKER A. ARROYO, Sports Director
Joker has loved horses since the day she was born. She started riding at the age of 7, during what her parents believed to be a “passing phase,” at Equestrian Promotions in Ayala Alabang. Alas, 24 years later, not much has changed! She continues to prefer the company of her animals to anyone else, and is rarely seen without her faithful canine companions, Dougie and Leo, by her side.
Joker made her debut on the Philippine National Team at the 2005 South East Asian Games in Manila, where she was a member of the gold medal-winning team at the tender age of 17. After pausing briefly from competition to pursue her studies at Yale University, where she finished with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, she went on to be a part of the silver medal-winning team at the 2011 South East Asian Games in Jakarta. Joker has also represented the country in the 2017 South East Asian Games, the 2014 Asian Games, and 2018 Asian Games.
Joker splits her time between Europe and the Philippines. When home, Joker is the founder and trainer behind JFJC Equestrian Services. Operating out of the Manila Polo Club, Joker trains a select group of riders and horses, all committed to pursuing the sport at the top level. Alongside being exigent from a technical standpoint, she emphasizes teamwork and horse management, all with the view of producing athletes that will one day represent the Philippines internationally.
When in France, Joker is based with her trainer, Guillaume Batillat, east of Paris. With her team of horses (Ubama Alia, Doucardi, Hamilton B, and Didi de Goedereede), she can be seen in national and international events all across Europe. While she concedes that with age, it hurts more now when she falls and that she is far less inclined to ride horses wild horses, her passion for the sport has only grown in intensity. She continues to set goals upon goals, with ever-expanding ambitions for the future. Nothing gives her a greater sense pride than riding for the country, and for so long as she is able, she will do so with the utmost joy and determination. The best is yet to come.
MA. VICTORIA G. CAMCAM, Finance Director
Marivi has been an active member of the equestrian community since her children started riding in 2005. Today, she is stable mom mostly to 14-year-old Nicole, who has been competing in the Philippines, Sweden, and the United States. She is the cool mom who has everything covered for the whole team, from cold towels, to snacks, to the most flamboyant costume parade outfits! She is also the mom who knows where to find shavings and hay, and find ways to import everyone’s equipment and gear.
Marivi is the efficiency and speed behind Equestrian PH. Known to always get things done and to leave no stone unturned, she has been instrumental in the management of services offered by Equestrian PH, among them, clinics, farrier services, and veterinary consultations.
When not watching over Nicole at the Manila Polo Club or at Leviste Equestrian Park, Marivi travels with her to the American showgrounds of Wellington, FL, Tryon, NC, Princeton, NJ, and Old Salem and the Hamptons, NY.
ALFREDO ANTONIO G. BARRETTO, Communications Director
Anton is a prominent personality in the country’s design and media scene, being the editor of Metro Home, and the host of Metro Home TV. He is a sought after interior designer and the owner of the lifestyle and furnishings store NEST.
For Equestrian PH, he is in charge of coordinating all tri-media communications initiatives, making sure everyone knows what’s in store and what we do, so that everyone can participate in our activities. He is also a permanent fixture on the bleachers supporting our national team at championships all over the world.
Being an avid rider, Anton has trained for showjumping with Toni Leviste and Joker Arroyo in the Philippines, and in Langholt and Try in Northern Denmark with German trainer Maik Kohlschmidt. Anton has competed locally at the Manila Polo Club.