Anush Agarwalla made historical past in changing into the primary Indian rider to make it to the Olympic dressage area. The 24-year-old rider grew up within the metropolis of Calcutta, which has a inhabitants of almost 15million. However from an early age he confirmed an affinity with animals.
“I’m a metropolis boy!” he says. “However my mother and father launched me to horse using as a result of I beloved going to the zoo. They stated, ‘OK, he’s so into animals, let’s take him horse using’, and I began slowly.
“I went to a using faculty on the outskirts of Calcutta, the place there have been many ponies and we’d go hacking within the woods. It was a cute place. I used to be by no means aggressive and didn’t take the game in any respect critically till the age of 17 – it was only a pastime, having enjoyable.”
When Anush was 17, simply seven years in the past, he determined he needed to make progress in dressage.
“We determined as a household to make the shift to Germany, and I’m actually grateful to my coach, Hubertus Schmidt to have taken me on as a pupil,” Anush says. “Once we began there I used to be actually low stage – I’d by no means even competed in a dressage check.”
Anush began using Sir Caramello OLD, his experience within the Paris Olympics, 5 years in the past. The now 17-year-old by Sir Donnerhall had been produced to grand prix stage by US rider Ashley Holzer.
“Sir Caramello is my coronary heart horse – he has taught me every part I do know, not nearly using, however about life normally,” says Anush. “Our journey has not at all times been going upwards. We’ve had loads of failures alongside the street. He’s taught me that when exhibits don’t go as deliberate, you get higher and encourage your self. Don’t cease at failures.
“He’s a humorous character. He’s every part in a single. He may be cute and he may be macho. He can say ‘don’t contact me, I need my silence’. Then should you give him silence he desires cuddles once more.
“He’s helped me make historical past, not as soon as however twice,” Anush provides. “We have been additionally the primary from India to compete on the World Championships two years in the past. And this Olympics has been a dream run – I’m so glad.”
Anush Agarwalla and Sir Caramello OLD within the grand prix
The primary Indian rider on Olympic dressage stage
Anush scored 66.44% in his Olympic dressage grand prix.
“Experiences like that don’t come typically in a lifetime,” he says. “I’m so proud to be the one to attain the feat of being the primary Olympic dressage rider from India for my nation.
“I’ve acquired loads of love main as much as the Olympics from the entire of India, and I need to say thanks to everyone. You’re the motivation I would like, to push myself to get higher.”
Anush had an enormous crowd of supporters sitting within the stands.
“My mother and father, my entire household, my associates from Germany and India, my schoolfriends, my associates’ associates are all right here,” he smiles. “There are 75–80 individuals ready to see me. And I can promise everyone that this isn’t the tip.”
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