Synopsis
The National Equestrian Championship 2025, featuring top riders like Sehaj Singh Virk and M. Krishna Sahithi, kicked off in Meerut, showcasing diverse talent across five categories. The event emphasizes the growth of equestrian sports in India.Key Takeaways
- Over 250 riders competing.
- Categories include Championship, Medium, and Novice Tours.
- Highlighting young talent like M. Krishna Sahithi.
- Significant for India’s equestrian sports scene.
- Organizers aim to elevate standards for future champions.
Meerut, Feb 11 (NationPress) Elite riders, including Asian Games participants Sehaj Singh Virk, Tejas Dhingra, Kirat Singh Nagra, and Ashray Butta, emerged as frontrunners in various categories of the Showjumping event at the National Equestrian Championship (NEC) 2025, which officially kicked off at the esteemed Modi Equestrian Academy in Modi Puram on Tuesday.
This event in Meerut signifies a pivotal moment in India’s equestrian sports landscape and is set to highlight extraordinary talent and competitive fervor among riders spanning all ages and skill levels.
With more than 250 riders participating across five different categories — the Preliminary Tour, Novice Tour, Young Horse Championships, Medium Tour, and the Championship Tour — the eventual winner will be honored as the National Champion for the 2024-25 season, as announced by the organizers.
This championship showcases leading riders, including Asian Games competitors Sehaj Singh Virk, Tejas Dhingra, Kirat Singh Nagra, Ashray Butta, and Yashaan Zubin Khambatta, thereby enhancing the competition's prestige.
A remarkable highlight of this year's event is the inclusion of 15-year-old M. Krishna Sahithi, who is poised to participate in the Medium Tour. Her presence is significant as she will be competing alongside seasoned professionals. This development not only emphasizes the increasing enthusiasm among young riders for equestrian sports but also reinforces the event’s dedication to fostering emerging talent within the equestrian community.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the event, EFI Secretary General, Retd. Col. Jaiveer Singh, remarked, “The National Equestrian Championship serves as a vital platform for Indian riders aiming for international competition. It allows athletes to evaluate their skills, gain invaluable experience, and elevate the standards of equestrian sports in the nation. Such events are crucial in nurturing future champions who can proudly represent India on the global stage.”
Participants across all five categories will navigate varying jump heights over several days. The Championship Tour will challenge competitors with obstacles measuring 130cm, 140cm, and 150cm, while the Medium Tour will feature jumps of 110cm, 120cm, and 130cm.
The Novice Tour will present riders with challenges at 100cm, 110cm, and 120cm, whereas the Preliminary Tour will have jumps set at 0.80m, 0.90m, and 1.0m. Additionally, the Young Horse Championship will assess developing horses with obstacles of 100cm, 105cm, and 110cm.
