TONI LEVISTE

EQUESTRIENNE

“WHEN I HEAR THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ANTHEM WHILE WATCHING OUR COUNTRY’S FLAG RAISED ANYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD, THE FEELING IS BEYOND WORDS.”

‘Inspiring’ would be an apt word to describe Toni Leviste. Proudly wearing her riding blazer with the county’s flag emblazoned on it, Toni is a picture of Filipino pride.

The only Filipino and Southeast Asian rider to compete in show jumping’s three major events (the Olympic Games, World Championships, and WorldCup Finals), Toni has many awards under her belt. In 2005, she and her team won gold at the Southeast Asian Games in Manila, and she won the Individual Silver Medal riding her horse Globe Platinum Maktub. Last year, along with the Philippine Equestrian Team, she won the Team Silver Medal at the Southeast Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia. In this same competition, Toni and her ten year old mare, Magic, also bagged the individual silver medal.

Show jumping is definitely a risky sport. Toni notes that horses are such sensitive creatures; they can sense danger so she tries her best to be as stoic as possible, instilling in her horse a sense of confidence, especially in the competition ring.

“The connection between the rider and the horse is most important,” Toni reveals. Having broken nearly every bone in her body, from her collarbone to her leg, Toni continues to pursue what she loves most because she is determined to one day win an Olympic gold medal for the country.

Toni Leviste sure knows how to ride our banner high.—CT