The last leg in the Asian Showjumping Challenge 2005 was held in Philippines on 23-24 April, 2005. Find here the results and the photos from this competition. The competition was run for two categories (A and C) 105cm and 125cm.
Held at the Polo Field of the Alabang Country Club, the Duty Free Philippines Asian Showjumping Challenge was quite a test indeed. The weekend of 15 & 16 April subjected riders and horses to extremes---a humid, sunny 36C day with winds that whipped tents and tore off banners---to the detriment of their performance.
Nevertheless, all the riders, whatever their level of experience, braved the elements to compete in a sport that essentially includes nature’s idiosyncrasies.
The two classes that were staged were, Categories A & C of the Asian Showjumping Challenge, were held over 2 days with 2 rounds per day. The competition rules of total penalties of the 4 rounds over best total times of the second rounds in each day proved to be an endurance effort. Few managed clear rounds and more than a few suffered elimination from refusals and falls---casualties of the weather as well as the trepidation of the horses with new, unfamiliar fences.
Category C winner was Joker Arroyo on Tiptop. And Category A winner was also Joker Arroyo ion her mount Without a Doubt. Category A was also the 3rd Qualifying Round for Team Selection to the 2005 SEA Games which means the riders will have to pull up their level of performance in the coming qualifiers to make up for their unremarkable showing.
