MANILA, Philippines — Olympian and Asian Games medalist Marie Antoinette “Toni” Leviste has successfully qualified both of her horses, Lacoste 126 and Fanto, for the dressage competition of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, which will be staged in Japan from September 19 to October 4.
The equestrian competitions are scheduled to be held at the JRA Equestrian Park in Tokyo.
Leviste secured the required Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) through a series of FEI-recognized international competitions in Europe, highlighted by strong performances at CDI Brno in the Czech Republic on June 5 and CDI Kronberg in Germany on June 20.
Under Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) regulations, each horse-and-rider combination must independently obtain the minimum qualifying score of 62 percent before an international judging panel at FEI-recognized CDI competitions to become eligible for the Asian Games.
By meeting the MERs with both horses, Leviste provided the Equestrian Association of the Philippines (EAP) with two qualified horse-and-rider combinations—Lacoste 126 and Fanto—from which it will make its final selection on July 15.
Leviste first represented the Philippines at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, with the equestrian events held in Saraburi, Thailand. She later helped the Philippine team capture the silver medal in show jumping at the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
She also represented the country at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and competed in multiple FEI World Championships and FEI World Cup Jumping Finals before shifting her focus to dressage in 2023.
“Representing the Philippines has always been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Qualifying both Lacoste, my partner at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, and Fanto, a horse rescued from the war in Ukraine, for the Asian Games makes this achievement especially meaningful. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey, and I now look forward to continuing our preparations and proudly representing our country once again,” Leviste said.
The 2026 Asian Games will mark Leviste’s fifth appearance at Asia’s premier multi-sport event and her first competing in dressage, adding another milestone to a distinguished international career that has spanned nearly three decades.
