Competing in the sport of equestrian requires a great deal of physical and mental endurance, not only in terms of preparation and discipline, but also in terms of control and communication with the horse. It is a highly competitive and expensive sport, which is why when the Indian Dressage Team clinched their maiden equestrian gold at Asian Games on September 26, they were in all in a state of euphoria.
The winning team was comprised of India’s top riders: Anush Agarwalla, Hriday Chheda, Divyakriti Singh and Sudipti Hajela. Their team scored a total of 209.205 points, edging out China with 204.882 points and Hong Kong, China with 204.852 points.
Agarwalla and his horse, Etro, had led the team with an astonishing score of 71.088 points. This was followed shortly by Chheda, who rode Chemxpro Emerald, with a score of 69.941 points and Sing, who rode Adrenalin Firfod, with 68.176 points. And finally, Hajela astriding Chinski, contributed 66.706 points.
It was not only an emotional win for the team, who sacrificed a lot for the sport, but also for the whole India, as this marked their second gold at the equestrian sport since 1982.
Indian quartet clinches maiden equestrian gold at Asian Games
“When we finally realised that Team India was winning gold, it was very emotional, especially when the national anthem was playing, and then the silence and respect looking at our flag, there has not been a better feeling than that ever,” Agarwalla said in an interview with Sportstar.
The quartet, who shared their story with Sportstar, explained that it had been a long and arduous journey for them. They trained in Europe for many years and during the pandemic, they even had to shell out their own money for the training. So, this victory, not only meant so much to them, but also to all their families and coaches, who had been with them since the beginning. To quote Anush on their interview, “all of it has been worth it”.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, extended his congratulations to the Indian quartet who made the whole country proud with their historic victory at the Asian Games 2023.
In the post, the Prime Minister wrote:
“It is a matter of extreme pride that after several decades, our Equestrian Dressage Team has won Gold in Asian Games!
Hriday Chheda, Anush Agarwalla, Sudipti Hajela and Divyakriit Singh have displayed unparalleled skill, teamwork and brought honour to our nation on the international stage.
I extend my heartiest congratulations to the Team for this historic achievement.”
It is a matter of extreme pride that after several decades, our Equestrian Dressage Team has won Gold in Asian Games!
Hriday Chheda, Anush Agarwalla, Sudipti Hajela and Divyakriit Singh have displayed unparalleled skill, teamwork and brought honour to our nation on the… pic.twitter.com/9GtxWKcPHl
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 26, 2023
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