Asian Games podium finish for Ballygunge boy

Kolkata: City clubs associated with horse-riding are ecstatic over the achievement of Ballygunge youth Anush Agarwalla (24), a part of the Indian dressage team that broke the 41-year jinx and won gold in Asian Games on Tuesday.The dressage team that comprised Agarwalla, Sudipti Hajela, Divyakriti Singh and Hriday Vipul Chheda achieved a score of 209.205, surpassing China’s score of 204.882, on way to the podium finish. Anush Agarwalla and his horse Etro scored the highest among the Indian riders with 71.088 points. India won gold in equestrian in the 1982 Asian Games held in New Delhi. India’s last medal in dressage was bronze in the 1986 Asian Games held in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

“I have always dreamt of being an ace equestrian player and my dream has come true. The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) tests are spread over three days. The first day was the Prix St Georges Test, which counts the team medals. Individual medals depend on the Intermediate I and music freestyle tests. I am prepeared for that,” Agarwalla, who lives at Queens Park in Ballygunge, said. He has set his sights on the Paris Olympic in 2024.Following the success, PM Narendra Modi tweeted: “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…”CM Mamata Banerjee also tweeted: “Extremely proud of the Indian team of Anush Agarwalla, Hriday Vipul Chheda & Divyakriti Singh for winning the historic gold medal in the team Dressage event...”His trainer in Germany, Hubertus Schmidt, said: “The Kolkata youth did such a fantastic test on a young horse, Etro. It was a nice ride with a lot of power and harmony.” The youth’s mother, Priti Agarwalla, added: “We are proud of him. The team has done a great job. Anush has practised hard in Germany and did not take a break and come home lest his practice gets hampered.” “They have done a great job. Agarwalla is an inspiration for the hard-working juniors,” said Capt Asraf Shaikh, a member of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club. Shane Domingo, manager of equestrian at The Tollygunge Club, added: “The gold ushers in a new era and it is a great lesson for those who are learning horse-riding in the city.” Amrita Bangur Bajoria, a committee member of Calcutta Polo Club, said: “Given the achievement, the future of the sports seems to be in safe hands.”