Anush Agarwalla relocated to Germany to polish his equestrian training.
Anush Agarwalla is poised to make history at the Paris 2024 Olympics. As India’s sole equestrian representative, he’ll be competing in the dressage discipline, marking a significant first for the nation. No Indian athlete has ever participated in this specific event at the Summer Games, making Agarwalla a true trailblazer.
Agarwalla’s passion for horses began at a young age. By the tender age of three, he was already in the saddle, and by 17, his dedication to equestrian pursuits had solidified into a lifelong ambition. This unwavering commitment ultimately led him to relocate to Germany, a hub for equestrian training, to further refine his skills and seriously pursue his Olympic dreams.
The road to Paris wasn’t a solo journey for Agarwalla. He faced stiff competition from fellow equestrian Shruti Vora. Both riders vied for the single Olympic quota allocated to India in dressage. The pressure was immense, as only one athlete could represent the nation on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
Agarwalla will be the first Indian athlete to compete in dressage at the Olympics// Picture Courtesy — Telegraph India
The selection process for the dressage quota was transparent and based on performance. The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) established clear criteria: a rider-horse combination needed to achieve a minimum score of 67% twice between January 1, 2023, and June 24, 2024. Furthermore, only scores from prestigious three-star FEI level competitions or above were considered. This ensured a high standard of competition and selected the rider demonstrating the most consistent excellence.
Anush Agarwalla consistently proved his mettle throughout the qualification period. He didn’t just meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) once, but on four separate occasions:
These impressive scores showcased Agarwalla’s ability to perform at a consistently high level across various competitions.
Shruti Vora wasn’t one to be easily outdone. In June 2024, she secured the required two MERs with a commendable second-place finish at the Brno Grand Prix in Czechia (68.174%). Earlier that month, Vora made history herself,becoming the first Indian rider to win a three-star Grand Prix event at the Dressage World Cup held in Lipica, Slovenia (67.761%). Her performances displayed exceptional talent and a strong desire to compete at the Olympics.
Agarwalla pipped Shruti Vora to secure an Olympics berth// Picture Courtesy — India Today
The final decision rested on a meticulous evaluation by the EFI. They compared the performances of both athletes,calculating an average score based on their best four events from the past year. In this meticulous analysis, Agarwalla emerged victorious with an average of 67.695%. Vora’s impressive scores averaged out to 67.163%. This marginal difference ultimately tipped the scales in Agarwalla’s favor, securing his position as India’s sole equestrian representative in dressage for the Paris Olympics.
While Agarwalla will be the first Indian athlete to compete in dressage, India boasts a rich history of equestrian participation in the Olympics. Fouaad Mirza represented India in the eventing category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.Looking back further, Imtiaz Anees (Sydney 2000), Indrajit Lamba (Atlanta 1996), and several other riders have proudly donned the Indian colors in the eventing category throughout past Olympic Games. Agarwalla’s selection marks a significant shift, paving the way for future Indian athletes to excel in the dressage discipline.
With the selection process complete, the focus now shifts to the upcoming Olympic Games. The equestrian events in Paris are scheduled to begin on July 27th, 2024. Undoubtedly, Agarwalla will be aiming to deliver a remarkable performance and etch his name in the history books as a pioneer for Indian dressage at the Olympic level. His dedication, talent, and consistency have brought him to this stage, and all of India will be cheering him on as he strives for equestrian glory in Paris.
