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SARGA.CO – Camera flashes, thunderous applause, and emotional moments colored the end of the Dressage category competition at the Aragon Merdeka Masters 2025. Among the ranks of talented young athletes, one name stole the public’s attention: Nareswari Shifa Kayana, a 17-year-old equestrian athlete from Surabaya who successfully brought home the Presidential Cup after a heroic performance with her trusty horse, Kimmy.
Held at The Hub Indonesia, Trans Yogi, Cibubur, Bekasi, from August 6 – 10, 2025, the Aragon Merdeka Masters became the biggest equestrian sporting event in Indonesia this year. The tournament also made history as the first event to compete for the Presidential Cup, replacing the Defense Minister’s Cup, which was previously the highest symbol in the national equestrian arena. With more than 1,700 entries from all over Indonesia, the competition atmosphere was intense and full of prestige.
Stellar Performance in the Dressage Category
The Dressage category, or “tunggang serasi,” held over two days (6–7 August), featured 142 participants from various provinces. This was where Shifa showcased her class. Representing Akara Stable, she competed in the Elementary class—a class that demands high harmony between rider and horse in maneuvering, movement, beauty, and complete control in the arena.
However, Shifa’s road to the top podium was not as smooth as the Dressage track itself. In Round 1, Shifa only placed 3rd with a score of 66.346%, trailing behind two strong competitors: M. Fajar Apriyansyah (Aragon Equestrian Sport) and Alfaro Menayang (D’ Riders), who each recorded scores above 69%.
Comeback in Round 2, Shifa Takes the Lead!
Not wanting to go home without a title, Shifa and her coach, Jojo Jonathan, immediately conducted an evaluation. They dissected every movement detail, improved execution, and reset strategy for Round 2, held on Thursday afternoon, August 7.
The result? Dramatic and extraordinary.
With an impressive performance, Shifa scored 69.231% in the final round. In contrast, her two rivals experienced a drop in performance. Fajar’s score fell to 65.769%, while Alfaro managed only 64.712%.
After two rounds, the results were accumulated, and Shifa was crowned champion with a total score of 135.577%, surpassing Fajar (135.096%) and Alfaro (133.942%).
said Shifa after the winner announcement.
She also praised Kimmy, her equine partner, who performed focused and responsive throughout the competition.
“Kimmy was amazing today. His stamina was strong, he was calm, and very cooperative—we could truly become one in the arena,” she added.
Next Target: 2025 National Equestrian Championship
There’s no long break to relax. Shifa is already looking ahead to her next challenge: the 2025 National Equestrian Championship, which will be held next month at Equinara Pulomas, East Jakarta.
However, the eldest of four siblings also honestly revealed her challenge—balancing training and school.
“I have to be smart with my time. Sometimes intense training clashes with school assignments, so I’ve learned discipline since I was little,” she said.
The Aragon Merdeka Masters 2025 itself was held to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence. This event is not only a stage for athletes but also a symbol of the revival of equestrian sports in Indonesia. This year, the tournament set a national record in terms of the number of participants and registered horses.
According to the organizing committee, including Eddy Sadak (Honorary President), Edwin Aprihandono (owner of The Hub Indonesia), and Jupri Mardi (Competition Director), this event serves as a strong foundation for fostering athlete regeneration and achieving accomplishments at the Asian and even world levels.
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