Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :
Montelibretti, Italy :
The thunder of hooves is equestrian buffs’ delight.
And local boy Fouaad Mirza made the Indian equestrian fraternity proud by galloping to fame in the first two trials at the Asian Games CCI equestrian event held in Montelibretti, Italy.
The top Indian rider produced an exemplary effort to win the event in style and on the strength of this performance is certain to spearhead the Indian challenge in the Asian Games next year.
The in-form Indian saddle artiste, pitted against some of the best Italian riders, produced a series of winning jumps to seize the initiative early on in the big event.
The top score posted by Fouaad in the championship is a couple of points behind the gold medalwinning score registered in the Asian Games last year and considering the fact that Fouaad didn’t really break sweat to register the top mark, he is a big medal hope in Indonesia while staking the Indian claim in the event at the Asian Games.
The first Indian rider to post a victory in Europe, Fouaad, training under German Olympian Bettina Hoy, will compete in Le Pouget, France next month before parading his skills in a couple of championships in Germany. Bettina immensely pleased with Fouaad’s progress made no secret of her opinion that the top Indian rider is peaking right for the big Asian event.
Vice-president of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) and head honcho of the Embassy Group, Jitu Virwani, said that a couple of other Indian riders, including one from the Army, are training in Germany and are on top of their game. “We have a great chance to win gold at the Asian Games and hopefully our riders will scale new high and put Indian equestrian on the international map,” said jitu Virwani, indicating that the top riders are comfortable partnering the big German warmbloods. “It is simple. We from our end are providing our riders the best horses and the onus is on them to go for gold,” said Jitu Virwani, who has roped in some of the best Show Jumpers on the circuit in Germany.
Silva Storai, the only woman jockey to register two Derby victories in flat racing, said Fouaad is a fine talent and is ready to make a mark on the international scene. “I have followed his progress from the time he successfully competed in many EPL championships at the Embassy International Riding School and he now looks ready to make the big league,” said Silva.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Sports> Others / by Ikram Khan / October 18th, 2017