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Top rider Joker Arroyo on equestrian absence at SEA Games: ‘Move on, be better’

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Brian Yalung

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/sports/10/02/20191002-joker-arroyo-equestrian.jpg"/><figcaption>Top Philippine rider Joker Arroyo says the national equestrian team would rather focus on the future than dwell on being denied participation in this year&#x27;s SEA Games. &quot;It&#x27;s a pity it&#x27;s not happening, but it is what it is,&quot; she says. From Joker Arroyo&#x27;s Facebook account</figcaption></figure></div>Equestrian will not be played at this year&#x27;s Southeast Games, an event where the Philippines could win a gold medal. Regardless, the national team has accepted its fate and chosen to &quot;move on.&quot; Joker Arroyo, the national record holder in the Puissance event achieved in 2005, acknowledged it is a sad reality but the squad prefers to look at the bright side despite the setback. &quot;It&#x27;s a pity it&#x27;s not happening, but it is what it is. We find our way to move on and be better, be stronger and learn from the experience and do something great after,&quot; said Arroyo, 31, who was part of the team-gold winner at the 2005 SEA Games in Manila. Arroyo revealed that the Equestrian Association of the Philippines, the sport&#x27;s national governing body, did the necessary paperwork and was prepared for the biennial meet, but she did not elaborate why the request was turned down. &quot;We were absolutely preparing for it. We sent in our letters of intent and everything. We submitted our training programs. I was even in Europe at the time and all systems were go. Of course, no matter what happens, we are all systems go and training the whole year. We were all systems go for SEA Games,&quot; Arroyo said. When asked to share her thoughts on the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Arroyo acknowledged the national team encountered difficulties. Regardless, she praised gold medalist Colin Syquia and said she believes that the experience resulted in a lot of positives.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/28/17/sea-games-syquia-rules-showjumping-for-phs-23rd-gold">2017 SEA Games: Colin Syquia rules showjumping for PH&#x27;s 23rd gold</a></li></ul>&quot;It was a difficult SEA Games for us, but it was a good team. We were lucky to have Colin Syquia. He is an asset that we cannot describe. We are lucky to have him as a team member to fill up the ranks,&quot; said Arroyo. &quot;Despite everything that happened at that SEA Games, a lot of positive things came out of that. We found another rider we could count on and fill up the strength of the team. We were able to field a competitive team even as three but, of course, we want a fourth. But he really proved to be a strong asset we are lucky to have.&quot; Arroyo and the national team are focusing on a top competition later this year.&quot;We will continue with our programs. We are scheduled to go to the Asian Equestrian Championships in Pattaya, Thailand in December where we are happy to represent the Philippines,&quot; bared Arroyo. Looking ahead, Arroyo is doing her share to make sure that the country is prepared for future international events. &quot;I&#x27;ll continue focusing on my students, training them and one day making it to the SEA Games or Asian Games as well,&quot; she ended.<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</div>

2005 SEA Games gold medalist Joker Arroyo says the national team was ready to perform in the regional competition, but was denied participation.

2005 SEA Games gold medalist Joker Arroyo says the national team was ready to perform in the regional competition, but was denied participation.