Negrense showjumping athlete Sophia Louie Begre Lacson has been officially selected to represent the Philippines in the prestigious Asia-Pacific Rising Star Academy (APRA), an elite development program under the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Regional Group VIII.
Lacson, 16, is one of the only 12 riders in the region selected to participate in the APRA, a one-year strategic talent identification and high-performance development program designed to bridge the gap between national competition and international elite sport.
The program consists of four international legs across the Asia-Pacific region, each following a rigorous five-day format that combines intensive training clinics, educational workshops, and a Concours de Saut International (CSI) Youth competition.
The curriculum includes technical drills, mental performance development, athlete fitness, horsemanship, and equine welfare, creating a comprehensive pathway toward elite sport.
Participants must meet strict eligibility criteria, including age (16-21), technical proficiency at 110cm and above, and a demonstrated commitment to long-term development.
Final selections are conducted by World Championship and World Equestrian Games rider Daniela Moguel, in coordination with FEI Solidarity.
Previously, Lacson earned a silver medal in the 1-Meter Team Event at the 2023 FEI SEA Youth Cup in Bangkok and competed in CSI Youth events in Seoul, Jeju, Malaysia, and in competitions in Jakarta.
Through the Asia-Pacific Rising Star Academy, she will train and compete alongside the region’s top emerging talents while focusing on her objective to qualify to represent the Philippines at the 2027 Southeast Asian Games.
“My goal is to one day make the sport more inclusive in the country by developing my own local horses, and coaching my own athletes,” the teen rider said. ||
