Young athlete Sophia Begre-Lacson recently finished in 8th place out of 39 riders in the 0.95–1.05 meter category of the National Showjumping Competition at the Jakarta Equestrian Park in Indonesia.
Many of her fellow competitors were professionals riding their own horses or long-time partners, yet Begre-Lacson stood out for her composure and quick adaptation on leased horse, Mopalia.
The weekend prior, she topped the 1-meter category at a club-level show, earning 1st place in only her second week of training.
Working with borrowed or leased horses is much harder than riding your own horse that riders work with year round. Not always do rider and horse match, and it takes skill and patience to adapt to different kinds of horses.
During her time in Indonesia, Begre-Lacson trained at the Jakarta Equestrian in Sentul under Natasha Herjawan, Indonesia’s current top female show jumper.
In the Philippines, she trains full-time under Camila Lastrilla-Curto, a former SEA Games competitor and now Executive Director of the Philippine Polo Federation.
Begre-Lacson is based at Happy Horse Farms Equestrian Centre in Negros, and also trains at Los Tamaraos Polo and Equestrian Center in Manila.
A self-taught, homegrown athlete from Negros, Begre-Lacson represents the strength of grassroots sports development in the Philippines.
She proudly competes as a Negrense rider, carrying with her the support of her home community and training stables.
Her international campaign is made possible through the support of her sponsors: PACFIN Advisors, Arreola Vet, Senator Risa Hontiveros, CLL, and GLL.*