Painted Pony

I took drawing and painting last semester and the only thing I could paint well or liked painting were horses. Go figure.

I found this website for inspiration. (http://www.thepaintedpony.net/original_art.html)

I wish I could paint like this. It seems easy but using the palette knife and knowing where to put the colors is harder than I thought.

In the Blood

My parents met when they were teenagers at the same club where I currently ride. Thus, I too became involved in the equestrian sport. I was on a horse even before I was let out into the world. In fact, I got kicked by one when I was in my mother's womb (might explain why I'm small hehe). My whole family (except my older bro) rides and my mother's a coach at the Manila Polo Club. I hope to, one day, inherit the job. Riding horses is in the genes and no matter what, somehow, I'll always have an affinity to these animals.
Riding is something that made / makes me who I am. :)

Role Model: Mikee Cojuangco - Jaworski

The only Filipina to win a gold for equestrian
(I have to brag that the last Asian Games medal was in 1983 for team- my parents brought home the bronze)
scan from mikeecojuangco.multiply.com

Does the horse im riding look familiar? hehe... Mikee let me ride Rustic Rouge for awarding of this year's FEI jumping challenge.

Mikee and I in Davao Horse Show (May 2009) Mikee does it all - she doesn't mind getting dirty and lifting poles...

I consider Mikee on the top of my role model / Filipina idols list. I met her when I was around ten years old if I remember correctly. She knew me since I was born though, since she was in the riding community ever since she was ten. My parents remember her being a dark pudgy kid but as we all can see, she grew into a beautiful woman who, for me, epitomizes the true Filipina beauty. But it's not only her dimples and shining eyes that make her beautiful. It's her whole persona that captures people's hearts. Born from a well-known family, you would think she'd mind standing hours under the sun lifting poles, or taking time to smile for every person that asked for a picture. Mikee can converse with anyone and she's very genuine about it.

People probably didn't expect this movie star to really do the dirty work when it comes to her horses. If only they could see her behind the scenes. Mikee told me some stories of her riding life - falling off, feeling lonely abroad etc. and it inspired me to persevere. Her Asian Games horse was the least expected to win. They weren't even sure to put her on the team because "Rou" was unpredictable - reminding me a bit of mine! These chestnut mares and their tempers.... sigh... anyways, Mikee, with sheer determination, was able to handle the pressure of being last rider and the only one to clear the round. I still get goosebumps whenever I watch the video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hEQ8w1Rj2U)

So asides from being an athlete and celebrity, last but not the least (especially for Mikee), she is a mother to three sons. They are adorable boys who are going to grow up very handsome considering the genes they inherited. I also admire the way Mikee brought them up. One time we were in the bull ring (riding arena) when Robbie, her eldest, was around six years old and jumping over the small fences set up. He tripped and hit the dust so his yaya sprung up to run to him. Mikee told her to let him get up on his own. I wish I could be a well-rounded person like her.

I forgot to mention that she is also religious and extremely well-mannered. I probably sound like such a raving fan but I'm just mentioning everything I can remember of her. There has been a lot of hallabaloo in politics now and some people are tainting Mikee and her family with bad images but I have nothing but praise for her. Amidst all the turmoil, she can still say "it's God's will, and I won't stoop down to their level."

Mikee is really one of those people you read about in magazines and all the praise is true. I wish everyone could see so for themselves. It's not for the cameras or for the popularity. She's just amazing that way. Haha. ;)

Wild West Down South

DID YOU KNOW??? Davao is the largest city in the world. It's located at the south of the Philippines, known as the Mindanao region. This city is also known for its cleanliness and low crime rates.

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In order to promote the equestrian sport, my family along with Mikee Jaworski, Asian Games Gold Medalist, went to Davao a few weeks ago. In our country, riding is not a well-known sport unlike in Europe, for example, where stables are located every five miles. Riding groups are rare so we wanted to show our support and lend a helping hand to the Davao Horse Society.

It's only been my second time but the Davao Cowboys make us feel like old friends. I guess that's how it is when you share a common passion. Although our riding skills differ, all riders share this bond through their love for horses.

Cowboys definitely know how to have fun. They're crazier and far more braver than us show jumpers. Some of the horses are so wild they can't stand still.; or some can go from a stand still to a gallop in milliseconds. Their obstacle course was one-of-a-kind. Nothing could stand in the way of their horses. They probably have the toughest hooves.

It's a bonus for me when a guy can ride his horse well. Haha okay that can sound wrong but let's just say I found some hope down south. Hahaha

This girl in yellow was the stunt double for Angel Locsin. She's crazy good and beats all the guys. I have yet to try the barrel race on these Davao horses. Most of them are broken in at 2-3 years old but they whip around 3 barrels in 21 seconds. How I would enjoy galloping without having to worry about my horses' hooves. The only thing I'd have to worry about is stopping.

Action!

Mabuhay! short introduction of myself...
This picture says two things
1) I'm from the Philippines ~ don't we have such a pretty flag!?
2) I'm an equestrian ~ this is my mare called Paris (after the city, not the dumb blonde)

Why blog again?!
I usually get into trouble when I do... I have the tendency to share too much but I will try to keep it short and avoid the drama this time around.

Blogs are the future's magazines as I was told. They're one of those cheap frills that take up our time... which is why I'm worried it'll distract me from school work but what the heck, this coming semester (starting June 15) I have only three subjects so i'll do my best to balance school, riding, and extracirricular activities.

All summer long I've been browsing hundreds of fashion blogs. I learned quite a lot about other cultures, what's the latest etc. There are only a handful good ones that I know of from the Philippines (Littlemissdressup, bryanboy, jenniepperson...) so I was inspired to start my own. Hope y'all enjoy. ;)