SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD show-jumping champion Chiara Amor of Strathfield NSW had been making a bold bid for a place in the Philippines’ team at the 28th South East Asian Games in June 2015.
By MARILIE BOMEDIANO
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This followed her success in Singapore, where she won two gold medals at the Concourse de Saut International Young Riders in March.
Chiara captured the CSIY-B Friendship and the CSIY-B Individual show-jumping events. She beat 17 top riders from the Asian region including some who had recently won medals or placed at major regional equestrian events.
Chiara’s parents are well-known Sydney cardiologist Raul Amor and skin specialist Arlene Amor, active members and benefactors of the Filipino community.
The show-jumper is a high school student of Santa Sabina College in Strathfield.
At the equestrian titles in Sinapore, Chiara developed an attack of nerves when her mount Percy twisted its legs away from the third fence.
“I was really nervous going through,” she said.
“But I tried to remember to breathe a bit, to get along with the horse and to relax. It’s the best thing I have ever learned from my coach-mentor who has known me since I was 10 years old, and I consider her as my adoptive mother.”
Chiara’s coach is Mikaela ‘Mikee’ Cojuangco-Jaworski, a former show-jumping champion herself.
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PICTURE:
Chiara Amor show-jumping in Singapore.