Rider Profile: Danni Virata

DXD EQUESTRIAN SPECIALISTS’ DANNI VIRATA LOVES SHOWJUMPING, MEREDITH MICHAELS-BEERBAUM AND HER FRISKY DIVE CHESTNUT MARE PARIS

We are a family of horse enthusiasts that have a lush 10 hectare property located just outside of Metro Manila. Rancho Leonor is named after our great grandmother Leonor who passed down the property over generations. Steven and Mia Virata who met at the Manila Polo Club when they were teenagers became 3-day eventers and show jumpers, eventually representing the country abroad in various competitions. Throughout their 50 years of experience with horses, they coached many riders and produced four children; three of which namely Daniella, Xavier and Diego became avid equestrians themselves and formalized the company in 2015 named DXD Equestrian Specialists Inc. Up to this day, we cater to aspiring competitors, adult leisure riders, and beginners amongst others. Our ranch has 18 stalls for livery and two fields which can be used for riding lessons and pony rides. Eventually, we would like to develop the farm to host events, conduct regular summer camps, become an official equestrian center, and perhaps have a cafe and airbnb glamping site to cater to the guests. As of now, it is a place to relax, enjoy nature and appreciate the simple joys of life around the animals.

I started formal riding lessons at six years old but my mom put me on a horse at two or three years old. My new horse Quidam’s Qitty just arrived last December from Denmark so I was hoping to compete with her at the 1.20m level this year.

My favourite discipline is Show Jumping. It is exciting and there is so much to learn. Each horse has something to teach you and I like the adrenalin rush.

The must-watch competitions: The Olympics, World Equestrian Games or HK Masters. I also watch the regional championships like the Asian Games and SEA Games.

Regularly we train at the Manila Polo Club: It is the only riding center in the country that has good footing for jumping and a big indoor arena. There are fields as well and the shows are held there. It is exclusive to members although they do allow guests to use the riding facilities as long as they have a sponsoring member.

My favourite riding school: I am biased towards my riding school DXD Equestrian Specialists Inc. of course. My mom, Mia Virata, has been coaching me since the very beginning and I owe my victories and successes to her. We’ve been through a lot and she continues to support us, always making ends meet. She has an eye for good horses and she has had many success matching riders to their horses over the years.

“COMMUNICATING WITH HORSES is to be consistent whether it is by natural aids or on the ground. They have to respect you so there are times you have to be strict and authoritative. Discipline is important also. ”

“A COMMON MISCONCEPTION is that it is easy or that just because you did something on one horse you could do it on another horse. No two are alike. It takes time and patience to get to know them. Maybe some are easier than others but it does not mean that you would be able to achieve the same results the next time around.”

A memorable competition would be when I did my first South East Asian Games Qualifier which was held in Manila around 2007. I had a frisky, challenging chestnut mare named Paris who I was having a difficult week with in a clinic right before. We signed up for the show anyway despite it being 1.25m and hardly having a chance to really prepare. I thought we could always scratch in the warm-up if things weren’t going well. She was alert and on point that day knowing it was a show. She was quite the diva and performed her best. We jumped our hearts out for a clear round and the relief I felt caused me goosebumps at the end; I nearly burst out in tears of joy. The audience went wild and I was so proud yet in disbelief.

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum is an idol of mine: She’s petite [like me] and manages these really big horses. She is the first woman to reach the world No. 1 spot in Show Jumping and win all these big titles. She has been able to crossover from the US to Europe, marrying a German show jumper and living the dream.

My most memorable trail riding experience was in Mongolia where we “glamped” in the Jalman Meadows which was about 5 hours from Ulaanbataar by bus. My girlfriends and I went before they got married and had babies so it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience bonding over 5 days and going on 2-3 hour-long trails each day. It was amazing to see the expanse of land and see how the locals handled the horses. They would let them free overnight without any halters and there were no paddock boundaries but somehow in the morning they’d have them all tacked up and ready to go. The feeling of galloping in open field was exhilarating and being in the beauty of nature was just unforgettable and magical. It was like being in a dream.

Follow Danni on @danni.virata and @dxdequestrian

Rider ProfileCharade WooAugust 31, 2020Danni Virata, DXD Equestrian SpecialistsComment