PASIG CITY, METRO MANILA – Award-winning equestrian Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski says she is willing to share her knowledge to aspiring Filipino equestrians.

Mikee, who started her equestrian lessons when she was 10, says she is willing to conduct programs so that more athletes would follow her footsteps.

Mikee admits, though, that handling such programs can be challenging and that as much as she loves her sport, she understands that government has to prioritize people’s needs.

“Mahal ko ang sports ko, pero mas mahal dapat natin ang mga tao, which is why in a country like ours, mahirap humingi ng support sa government at private sector lalo’t alam mong maraming mas nangangailangan na dapat unahin (I love this sport but it will be difficult to ask for government and private sector help because people’s needs should be prioritized),” says Mikee.

She notes that logistics is one of the challenges for aspring equestrians in a developing country like the Philippines.

But Mikee says she never loses hope that equestrian sports in the country can be developed to the level of other sports such as basketball.

“Ang kagandahan kasi ng basketball basta may bola ka at ring pwede na, unlike sa amin na ang daming kailangan i-consider pero gusto ko sana talaga na mapansin ang equestrian dito. (The good thing about basketball is that you only need a ball and the ring unlike in our field where there are so many things to consider),” says Mikee, adding that large and safe areas are needed for the equestrians and their horses.

She also looks forward that soon, equestrian competitions can be held in non-exclusive areas for enthusiasts to further improve their skills.

“Its always been a challenge since the bulk of horse enthusiasts belong to exclusive areas. But some people need to realize that once they have a certain level of enthusiasm for horse-riding, they can do it,” she says.

Mikaela Maria Antonia Cojuangco-Jaworski has been a competitive equestrian, winning in international competitions such as the bronze medal in Shizuoka,Japan at the age of 16.

She also won the gold medal at the Asia Pacific Equestrian Championship in Australia in 1995, and another gold medal in the Asian Games held in Busan, South Korea in 2002.

Although she had to rest from competing for a while, the 5-foot-7 Mikee says she still rides a horse at least twice a week and when she has students to assist.

Source: Marjorie Gorospe, loQal.ph