How Marivic Rufino keeps fit through horseback riding | Lifestyle.INQ

OCTOBER 27, 2022

MARIVIC Rufino and her horse: A study reveals that patting horses can lower one’s blood pressure.
MARIVIC Rufino and her horse: A study reveals that patting horses can lower one’s blood pressure. PHOTOS BY NELSON MATAWARAN

Like some privileged women, artist-businesswoman Maria Victoria “Marivic” Rufino learned to ride a horse while she was still in diapers, and fell madly in love with these animals in her young adulthood.

Rufino recalls that she was a toddler when she started riding horses during family vacations in Baguio. Through the years, she took basic lessons on dressage and jumping under Bert Antipolo at D’Rossa, Dave de Padua and Mia Virata at Manila Polo Club.

She nixes the notion that it is an elitist sport and points out that some equestrians and polo players have patrons.

“Riding is for everyone. I started in Baguio with the ponies in Wright Park. It cost P2 an hour. I paid for my riding session every summer by shining the shoes of my Dad and polishing the silver coins of my Lolo. My parents insisted that I should finance my riding. I could afford to have my own horse only some years ago when I already had a good job.”

Today, horseback riding is part of her fitness regimen.

“Riding requires discipline and coordination of the mind and body. I have to balance and keep my abdominal muscles tight, the spine and shoulders straight. My thighs and legs have to grip the horse and saddle. Balance is essential,” says Rufino.

Since her horse Mistral (a retired polo horse and a Criollo-quarter horse) is pregnant, she rides  Amassed, an Australian thoroughbred owned by polo player Freddie Borromeo.

“Polo horses are very gentle and do not spook easily. They are good for kids,” says Rufino.

Unique sport

RIDING a horse is connecting with nature.

What makes this sport unique is the way the horse influences the rider and vice-versa. As the horse moves, the rider’s balance is constantly challenged, demanding more muscle control from the rider. Horseback riding engages the trunk and pelvis, the muscles for posture, and the adductor muscles of the thighs. As the horse runs faster, other sets of muscles are working harder—the quadriceps and the hamstrings of the thighs and the butt muscles.

Rufino’s workout at Polo Club begins with a slow walk around the bullring or polo field, then it progresses into a rising trot and a sitting trot for about 30 minutes. She canters for 20 minutes and slows down to a trot and walks for another 15 minutes.

She explains that the leg muscles are constantly activated as the rider grips the horse’s girth. In the trot, the calves continue to clutch the horse’s girth, but now the body is faced with the challenge of going up and down from the knees in the saddle repeatedly, using the legs as one pushes off from the saddle.

During the canter, the rider no longer rises in the saddle, but the leg grip needs to be strong to remain astride. Trotting and cantering pump up the heart rate. The more muscles are engaged in controlling the horse, the more oxygen is required for the muscles to function.

“It’s my cardio exercise—a bit intense but relaxing when I canter or walk. I meditate when I walk the horse,” says Rufino. “I’m now learning the basic stick and ball (Polo 101) with my Argentine fiancé, Miguel, who used to play polo and who rides so well.”

For cross-training, she does Pilates. Rufino says the elements of pelvis and shoulder stability, core strength and correct alignment are fundamental for the rider. The Pilates tenets such as concentration, control, precision, breath and flow are applicable to the equestrian sport.

Stress-buster

RIDING also uses many muscles; most importantly the leg, abdominal, shoulder and back muscles.

On the benefits of horseback riding, the artist says it’s what keeps her fit and happy.

“It is my stress-buster. Riding the wind is the best for me. I pray and meditate when I ride. I enjoy being outdoors and I gaze at the sky, clouds and look for rainbows. I paint the sunsets and skyscapes from memory,” she says.

These impressions become inspiration for her paintings. Even horses have become subjects of her artworks.

Rufino adds, “Riding calms me, takes away the jitters and makes me glow. Every ride is fun—as long as I don’t fall or witness a rider getting hurt. One of the best rides was on a Holy Thursday. I rode at sunset and watched the afterglow and the moon rise. Another ride was after some showers and a rainbow appeared in the sky. I painted that rainbow twice. The mixed-media large artwork was acquired by a British banker at an auction. The acrylic rainbow hangs in Polo Club’s Sports Café where I have Sunday lunch with my family.”

Rufino also derives pleasure from bonding with animals.

“A horse is sensitive to a person’s vibes and moods. I talk to Mistral and ask how she feels. I pet her, hug her and feed her.  Mistral can sense when I am sad or happy.  Likewise, it takes time to know a horse’s moods. Each one is different. If there are signs of fear or irritation, I look at the ears, the tail and how she moves.”

Unforgettable ride

Rufino recalls that one of her most unforgettable rides was in Half Moon Bay, Northern California.

“I rode on a trail to the beach. The waves were strong and it was windy, sunny and cold. But I did not bring my sturdy helmet so I had to be extra careful. All of a sudden, the horse (Elvis) decided to go home. It bolted uphill and galloped to the stables. Of course I prayed hard and I embraced his neck so I would not fall. I switched to an old, calm horse and went back to the beach. The Pacific Ocean is magnificent and I felt one with nature,” she says.

Rufino has had her share of falling from a horse. “Luckily, I always wear a helmet to protect my head. One Sunday, the horse bolted and threw me off. I hurt my back and got badly bruised riding alone on the field. My guardian angel cushioned my fall. I had to test my fingers and toes. I got up slowly, and drove to Makati Medical Center emergency room for X-rays. The doctors did not find any fractures. I was so lucky and blessed! I was black and blue for many weeks but nobody noticed. I went to church to say thank you for my life. That’s why I always pray to my guardian angel and say the rosary whenever I ride. I feel protected.”

Marivic Rufino will hold her exhibit “Romanza” II Feb. 22-27 at Peninsula Manila. For details, call 8179574 and 8184878.

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