Rutaksha Rawat -An event for horse lovers in India

The only equestrian centre in India, Japalouppe Equestrian Centre, Pune, is geared to host its 5th Annual Equestrian Games from 08-10February 2013. Japalouppe started the Annual equestrian games in 2007 to create a platform for those passionate about horses to meet and compete in a friendly atmosphere. “The idea was to create a launch pad for new entrants to the sport to begin their sporting journey and the events are designed to make sure that we stay true to the purest principle of any sport - fun,” says Rohan More, MD, Japalouppe.

Judges Judges at the Games will include Col Sandeep Dewan, who hold over 50 medals to his credit in Show Jumping, Dressage and Three-Day Eventing; Rasika Reddy, a former national level rider and national champion; Jayant Mulay, an experienced rider; and, Philippa Waterfield, who competed successfully in Show Jumping and Eventing.

Events Competitive events at the Games will include: Equitation Class: Riders will be judged on their ability to perform basic school work astride the horse. Show Jumping Top Score: The horse and rider will have 90 seconds to cross obstacles set up in the jumping arena. Show Jumping Normal: There will be a preset route that the rider and horse will have to negotiate. Jumping Challenge: There will be a single bstacles that the competitors will have to cross successfully.

Pole Bending: The rider will zigzag the line of the poles, which will be fixed at a preset distance. Show Jumping Relay: This is a group event consisting of two participants—one from the open category and the other from the junior category. In this event, there is a preset route that the riders and horses must negotiate. Ball & Bucket Race: The rider takes a ball, crosses the starting line and puts the ball in the bucket, which is kept across the arena. Flag Race: Riders take one flag at a time and deposit it in the bucket set at the other end. Dressage: The rider and horse have to perform a preset test. Hat Race: Competitors ride towards the other end of the arena, where they must put their hat on top of the empty pole provided. Trotting Race: Competitors will trot the length of the arena; go round a marking post, and return.

About Japalouppe Established in 1998 by Mother-Son duo, Lorraine and Rohan More, Japalouppe has evolved into the foremost authority on equine training in India, with amarquee list of clients and successful events under its belt. Spread over a 12-acre property, Japalouppe is the only facility in the country providing end-to-end equine solutions — from riding, breeding of horses, training, education programmes, veterinary back up, and nutrition consultancy to performance horse management.

Japalouppe aspires to bring riding to the lay person with its equestrian consultancy services. The Annual Equestrian Games hosted by the centre brings together riders and horses of varying ages from across the country. Beyond competitions, the Games also include a concurrent workshop component to propagate education, knowledge and expertise in the field.