Historic Medal Tally from Pattaya
Ashish Limaye emerged as one of the stars of the tournament, securing an individual gold in Eventing and contributing to a team silver. Shruti Vora delivered an equally impressive performance in Dressage, bringing home three silver medals two individual and one team. The full Indian ensemble included Shashank Singh Kataria and Shashank Kanmuri in Eventing, and Divyakriti Singh and Gaurav Pundir in Dressage.
The results mark a significant milestone for India at the continental level and reflect the growing depth of the country’s equestrian talent pool.
Minister Highlights Systemic Changes Driving Success
While felicitating the athletes, Dr. Mandaviya observed that India’s sporting ecosystem has transformed over the past decade. “India is doing well even in sporting disciplines in which we hardly have had a global presence earlier,” he said, applauding the athletes’ dedication in a sport that has traditionally had a limited domestic ecosystem.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to removing barriers that hinder athlete progress. “We will create an equestrian-friendly sports ecosystem here in India, so that athletes do not have to train abroad,” he added, stressing the need for structural support at home.
Quarantine Centre for Horses: A Top Priority
A major pledge announced during the felicitation was the government’s intention to establish a quarantine centre in India within a year. Such a facility is crucial for international horse movement and has long been a demand of the equestrian fraternity.
By creating a certified quarantine and disease-free hub domestically, India can ease logistical hurdles, reduce costs for riders and owners, and enable smoother participation in global events removing a persistent bottleneck in international horse transport.
Athletes Welcome Government Action
Shruti Vora, who won three silvers in Pattaya, lauded the minister’s swift response to athlete concerns. “When we addressed our concerns, he immediately asked everyone to get working on the equine disease-free zone,” the 54-year-old rider said.
Vora underlined the importance of building a full ecosystem: domestic qualification, competition opportunities, and streamlined horse movement. “We need the whole equestrian fraternity to be given that opportunity to compete and qualify in India and then take their horses abroad when required,” she said.
What This Means for Indian Equestrianism
India’s success at Pattaya and the government’s subsequent commitments highlight two complementary trends: improved athlete performance and more responsive sports governance. An operational quarantine centre and expanded domestic competition calendar could reduce reliance on overseas facilities and foster a fuller competitive circuit within the country.
Officials say these measures could spur grassroots interest in equestrian sports and provide clearer pathways from local riding schools to international podiums. Experts also point to improved coaching, access to sports science, and targeted funding as contributors to recent gains.
Next Steps and Wider Implications
The minister’s promise to remove hurdles and build infrastructure is likely to be followed by consultations with stakeholders, including equestrian federations, veterinarians, and sporting bodies. Implementation will determine how quickly the benefits reach athletes and owners.
For now, the felicitation ceremony celebrated both a rare sporting triumph and a renewed commitment from the government to back equestrian sport at scale.
