41st anniversary of The Times of India, Bengaluru: The big gallop; from being deemed an elitist sport to attracting young indians, equestrian has grown rapidly

Time of India

18-07-2025

Equestrian sports in India have surged in popularity, particularly in Bengaluru, thanks to supportive parents and year-round training opportunities. The Equestrian Premier League has revolutionized the sport, fostering consistent practice and skill development.
Equestrian – which was seen as an elitist and expensive sport in India, with only expatriates showing interest until 20 years ago – has taken giant strides in the past 15 years. One reason for this dramatic change could be a shift in parents' priority.
They are no longer hyper-focused on their child's academic performance; they are prioritizing their children's extracurricular activities too. We have seen many parents relocate from other parts of the country for the sake of their children in an incredible transformation.
Also, more people are increasingly able to support their children's involvement in sports. Bengaluru has played a crucial role in the growth of equestrian activities over the past two decades.
It is one of the most vibrant cities in India for sports.
The weather in Bengaluru is a blessing, allowing students to ride and train every day. Riders can take advantage of more than eight hours in the saddle daily — four hours in the morning and four in the evening. In other cities, riders typically have around two hours a day for practice. Our progress in equestrian sports did not happen overnight. Ten years ago, we recognized a significant deficiency in how the sport was organized.
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Competitions were primarily held in November and December, leaving only those two months for events in the north, where the sport was more prominent. In response, we launched the Equestrian Premier League in the south. This six-month tournament enables children to stay connected to riding round the year, instead of having periods of inactivity for nine months before jumping straight into competition.
The sport has now become more professional.
Aspiring equestrians can train year-round if they want to pursue their goals seriously. Competing for 3-4 days each month from June to November is crucial.
In sports, you can't expect to practise for just two months and achieve professional success; progress requires repetition and consistent practice. Seeing the results of their hard work has been vital for young riders.
The Junior National Championship, held in December, has become one of the few events where they gain recognition, such as certificates from Equestrian Federation of India.
The system for becoming an equestrian has significantly improved over the past 20 years. Young riders typically start by participating in local regional shows. As they improve, they advance to national qualifiers and then to national championships.
This structured pathway helps young riders become more professional. This system has produced talents like Fouaad Mirza, one of the most promising equestrians. His silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games and impressive performances at the Olympics have been pivotal for the equestrian community.
Fouaad's success has inspired younger riders, showing them that they, too, can represent India on the international stage, compete in the Asian Games, or even aim for the Olympics. He has opened new doors for the equestrian community here. However, we still face challenges in making the sport accessible to middle and lower-income households, as equestrian sports can be expensive. We strive to sponsor talented kids, including those from staff families.
Ultimately, it's about results — if you demonstrate talent, people will take notice regardless of your background.
The community is advocating for government and media recognition of young riders who excel in tournaments like the Junior National Championship, similar to the visibility given to cricket and other sports. Visibility is crucial for inspiring others; people can only be motivated by what they see. Yet, certain roadblocks hinder equestrians from reaching the international level in India.
We need a more effective federation that prioritizes the sport's best interests.
Unfortunately, over the past five years, we have faced an impasse with the federation. Government support is also essential for improving the sport, especially regarding the import and export of horses.
Currently, the government allows import – and not export – of horses. This policy means that an Indian rider training abroad cannot bring their horse back as they wouldn't be allowed to return to Germany with the horse.
This restriction discourages riders from coming to India to train or compete (during the winter) which must change if we want to elevate equestrian sports to the next level.
Competition is crucial for the future growth of equestrian sports in India. Increased competitions raise the standard of the sport and helps it gain greater recognition. Another important step is to engage more people in equestrian activities, whether they are family members of riders or newcomers. We're already seeing this with the growth of local clubs in Karnataka; every year, new clubs emerge — a promising sign of a thriving sporting community.
Today, we have more than 20 regional clubs, reflecting a fantastic surge in equestrian sports.
(As told to Aryan Thumboochetty)