Saddled up for success

FOR most of us, the idea of riding a horse sounds like a fairy tale - galloping through fields, wind in our hair, like something out of a movie. But for the young riders at the Chennai Equitation Centre (CEC), this is reality.

- ASHNA REDDY

These riders are out here every day, bonding with horses that make them look like they belong in a stable of giants. And apparently, these majestic creatures need more paperwork than we do to cross state lines. These young riders move with a natural grace as if they were born to command these powerful animals.

It's not just about riding; it's about building trust, understanding, and teamwork with these incredible animals. It's this bond that powered CEC's record-breaking performance at the Junior National Equestrian Championships 2024 in New Delhi. The team returned with an unprecedented 18 medals - 13 Gold, 4 Silver, and 1 Bronze - claiming Team Gold in every age category in Dressage.

Coaching life lessons

Kishore Futnani, who founded the centre, is a storyteller in his own right. Taking me through a wall of photographs, mostly of his younger self, immersed in the world of horses, he said, "I started riding accidentally. There was a riding club behind my house. I used to go there and become friendly with the groomers, then started riding ponies. Later, I joined the polo club. It was all accidental. But I excelled in polo."