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Top European Jockey Guillaume Batillat Holds Clinic 

EqPH and JFJC Equestrian bring Guillaume Batillat to hold a special clinic at the Manila Polo Club

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Metro.Style Team

<div><br/></div><p><strong>Guillaume Batillat</strong> is a familiar name on the European show jumping circuit. A member of the <strong>French Nations’ Cup</strong> team at Mannheim (producing the only double clear of the team) and French 7-year old Vice-Champion in 2023, Guillaume has an impressive list of accolades, including 5* performances and multiple international <strong>Grand Prix</strong> victories. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/9bc62e4a-c4f4-4094-ab5a-1fb62e744ef7_guillaume batillat.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="EqPH and JFJC Equestrian bring Guillaume Batillat to PH"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Guillaume Batillat, with DENITHA, in action on the European Grand Prix circuit</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>He has also become a prolific figure on the Asian equestrian scene in recent years. Coach to Philippine rider <strong><a href="https://metro.style/people/society-personalities/show-jumping-101-joker-arroyo/17364" target="_blank">Joker Arroyo</a></strong> since 2017, Guillaume and Joker have worked together to produce a top 20 individual result at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, and a team silver medal at the 2019 Asian Championships in Pattaya. </p><div><br/></div><p>The discreet and hardworking pair have developed a strong professional relationship founded on a shared passion for the sport, love of horses, and the desire to bring out the best in both riders in horses (including themselves!). They are eager to share this with others. In fact, other Filipino riders have set up their European base at Guillaume’s stables, including up and coming young rider <strong>Zoe Co</strong> who trains there with her two talented young horses. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/1e9358f2-63fd-4be0-ba17-53e9714b6255_gb2.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="EqPH and JFJC Equestrian bring Guillaume Batillat to PH"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Guillaume Batillat and Joker Arroyo with BALOU GIRL, working together at their training base in Neufmoutiers en Brie, France</span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/8ccd3e60-717b-4ef3-8f4b-4e8a7b1db0c9_joker arroyo.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="EqPH and JFJC Equestrian bring Guillaume Batillat to PH"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Joker Arroyo riding ÉVITA DU SOLEIL at a major international competition in Rouen<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Pixels Events  </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/a0cda788-3915-4748-86b1-dfdf679fcf5a_zoe co.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="EqPH and JFJC Equestrian bring Guillaume Batillat to PH"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Zoe Co on ELDORADO DES PRAIRIES, winning their first ribbon at a competition in France</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Joker, Sports Director of <strong>EqPH</strong> and owner of <strong>JFJC Equestrian Training Services</strong>, has long been vocal in promoting the equestrian sport and activities in Asia: </p><div><br/></div><p>“The Asian equestrian is community is unique in that many of us grew up together, and forged personal relationships and ties that have lasted over the years, even outside of the sport. I know I speak not only for myself when I say that I am always thrilled to see the excellent results from Asian riders on the international scene. Without a doubt, over the years riders from Asia have developed an increasing presence in Europe, and are genuinely becoming a force to be reckoned with. There is so much for us to be proud of and we should, collectively, continue to uplift the sport in the region by continuing to create learning opportunities for riders at home, allowing them to gain access to top-level training that will allow them to transition more easily onto the global stage when the time is right.” </p><div><br/></div><p><strong>Carissa Coscolluela</strong>, President of EqPH, says, “Prior to the Covid outbreak, EqPH was very active in organizing various events (the 2019 EqPH Riders’ Tour, a borrowed horse event with Malaysian riders) and bringing in various clinicians, veterinary experts, etc. We seek to draw on the experience and contacts of our more experienced riders, and share the knowledge that has been accumulated over years in the sport abroad with our riders back at home. Now that the global situation has normalized, it feels only fitting that the first major EqPH activity should be the Guillaume Batillat clinic at the <a href="https://metro.style/amp/people/society-personalities/equestrian-ph-spooky-spectacular-show-jumping/19243" target="_blank"><strong>Manila Polo Club</strong></a> in December. Guillaume has been an enthusiastic and valuable member of team Philippines since he started working with Joker, and their results, both as individuals and as a team, speak for themselves.”</p><div><br/></div><p>Guillaume held his clinic at the Manila Polo Club from <strong>December 11-15</strong>, culminating in the EqPH Christmas Classic on December 16, sponsored by <strong>Misibis Bay Resort</strong>. </p><div><br/></div><p>Says Carissa, “Guillaume and Joker have been working hard in the last few weeks to develop a 5-day program that will encourage participants to step out of their comfort zones in a safe and sustainable matter, and will therefore unlock a new level of competitiveness in the ring. EqPH is also organizing the competition, with the kind support of Misibis Bay Resort, that will close the clinic week, with countless prizes in store for the riders and grooms, and excellent food and festive holiday entertainment for all. We are excited for the participants, and look forward to observing their progress.”</p><div><br/></div><p>May this clinic be the first of many! Best of luck to all.</p><div><br/></div><p>Article by <strong>Anton Barretto</strong></p><p>Lead photos courtesy of <strong>Joker Arroyo</strong></p><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/culture/spotlight/what-you-need-to-know-about-cop28/36763" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">What You Need to Know About COP28</a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/culture/spotlight/flying-tiger-copenhagen-is-now-in-manila/36625" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Here Are Our Favorite Holiday Finds From Flying Tiger Copenhagen</a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/culture/spotlight/sm-blue-illumination-65th-anniversary-celebrations/36392" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SM Supermalls Kicks Off Its 65th Anniversary Celebrations</a></div>