Paris Olympics 2024 Indian Equestrian Squad: Complete list of equestrians in the Indian contingent
The Indian equestrian squad will feature just a lone member, Anush Agarwalla, at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 24-year-old rider has qualified for the individual dressage event - the first Indian to do so at the Olympic Games. Indian equestrians have traditionally participated in eventing categories at the Summer Games, but Agarwalla’s qualification marks a significant shift.
Agarwalla has been working towards this goal for some time. Last year, he secured India’s first individual medal in dressage at the Asian Games with a bronze, riding his horse Etro.
Dressage is one of the three equestrian disciplines at the Olympics, alongside eventing and show jumping. Often described as "horse ballet," Dressage involves the horse and rider performing a series of predetermined movements from memory. This event tests the horse's suppleness, flexibility, and obedience, making it both physically demanding and mentally challenging for the animal.
Agarwalla will compete at the Paris Olympics 2024 with his trusted horse, Sir Caramello.
How did Indian equestrian Anush Agarwalla qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024?
Anush Agarwalla’s journey to the Paris Olympics was marked by consistent performances in four FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) events. His standout performance in these competitions earned him the coveted quota for the Olympics. The qualification process was highly competitive, with Agarwalla pipping close contender Shruti Vora based on a better average score after a thorough evaluation by the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI).
The qualification period began last year, during which Agarwalla achieved the Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) four times. In contrast, veteran rider Shruti Vora earned the required two MERs this month. When an average was calculated from the contenders' scores, Agarwalla emerged as the clear winner with an average score of 67.695 percent, while Vora averaged 67.163 percent.
The equestrian events at the Paris 2024 Olympics will commence on July 27 at the Chateau de Versailles. Agarwalla will be aiming to bring back home Indian equestrian’s first-ever medal at the Games.