Indian equestrian, Anush Agarwalla, who won the historic gold medal in dressage, and a team Bronze, in the Hangzhou Asian Games, is set to add another feather to this cap, as he prepares to take the centrestage in the Paris Olympics, in the same event as Hangzhou, with his partner, Sir Caramello Old.
At the end of June, Agarwalla was officially selected by the Equestrian Federation of India to represent the country in the upcoming Paris Olympics. He surpassed his compatriot, Shruti Vora, through a better average score in recent times. “Absolutely! For me the biggest moment was in February when India got the quota in dressage, and when I got the message from the federation, it was a sigh of relief,” said Anush to RevSportz.
“I think everyone was anticipating and when the federation made it official that I was the one going to Paris, it was a great moment,” he added.
The 24-year-old equestrian from Kolkata is confident of his performance. “I think my results speak for themselves and I would have been surprised if it wasn’t me,” noted Anush.
Jai Ho, the Oscar-winning song from the Bollywood movie, Slumdog Millionaire, was the song Anush used in Hangzhou. He and Sir Caramello are training to the tunes of A. R. Rahman once again. “I would use the same music I used for the qualification. Whenever I ride to the tunes of Jai Ho, everything seems to fit in place.”
“It represents my background perfectly. It gives me a sense of pride in being an Indian. There were many other songs shortlisted, which are great songs, but all have been used so many times before. I don’t think Jai Ho has been used before, so that’s something unique I wanted to do. And whoever has seen us perform to Jai Ho has said they have loved the harmony,” observed Anush.
Equestrian Dressage is a sport the whole of India will keep an eye on during the Paris Olympics, especially after the success in Hangzhou. How to describe the sport in easy terms for everyone to follow? — “Dressage, the sport I play, is more like ballet on the horse,” described Anush.
“We have to complete different tests, and the main aim is not to finish the fastest but with the highest level of harmony. My coach says that if someone who doesn’t know the sport sees it and feels that the rider is doing nothing and just sitting on the horse, then you have achieved what you want to achieve in this sport,” pointed out Anush, describing the synchronisation required between the rider and the horse.
It should feel that the rider and the horse understand each other’s language completely so that the entire act looks effortless. “It should feel like we both are in complete sync and the tests are performed with the highest level of harmony. It should look easy and expressive.”
Watch the entire conversation in the video below, where the Asian Games Gold medallist opened up on his preparations, his journey, how his family and friends are planning to support him in Paris and more.