[Watch] Indian equestrian Anush Agarwalla's journey from Germany to Versailles for the Paris 2024 Olympics
With the Paris 2024 Olympics starting on Friday, Indian equestrian Anush Agarwalla shared glimpses from the eight-hour journey from his base in Germany’s Paderborn city to the French capital.
In an Instagram post by the Equestrian Foundation of India, 24-year-old Agarwalla can be seen driving in a tricolor-bearing truck along with his horse, Sir Caramello.
“Watch Anush Agarwala’s epic 8-hour journey from Germany to Versailles with his horse, Sir Caramello. Now resting at this historic Parisian venue, they’re all set for the grand opening ceremony, tonight of Paris 2024!” the caption read.
In the video, Agarwalla can be seen petting his German-born horse Sir Caramello, with whom he has enjoyed considerable success at international tournaments. Anush was seen driving through the scenic roads they reached the French Capital ahead of the showpiece event.
From Kolkata to Germany to France, Anush Agarwalla set for the Paris 2024 Olympics stage
Anush Agarwalla will be India’s sole representative in the equestrian sports at this year’s Summer Olympic Games in Paris. He claimed a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics after bettering fellow equestrian Shruti Vora.
Agarwalla will compete in the dressage events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he will become the first Indian equestrian to compete in that discipline on the Olympic stage.
Despite being born in Kolkata, Agarwalla has been based in Paderborn since moving to the German city at the tender age of 17 to train under Athens 2004 gold medalist Hubertus Schmidt. Despite equestrian sports enjoying limited popularity in India, Agarwalla has enjoyed extensive support from the fans in his homeland.
“I know that when I'm riding, I'm not alone. The whole country is rooting for me,” Anush Agarwalla said in a previous interview (from Olympics.com).
Agarwalla’s unbreakable bond with his horse Sir Caramello has been a big cause of his success in the sport. His previous exploits with Sir Caramello include a bronze medal in the individual event in Equestrian Dressage at the 2022 Asian Games, which was India’s first dressage medal. The 24-year-old was also a part of the gold medal-winning team at the Asian Games, which was India’s first equestrian gold medal in 41 years.
Now in Paris, Anush Agarwalla will look to finally cement India’s position as a leading equestrian dressage nation in the Paris 2024 Olympics.