Only a great rider is not enough for the sport of equestrian. An equally or even more skilled horse is extremely important if any individual wants to ace this sport. Apart from the skills of both rider and horse, a strong bond between the two is also crucial for success in competitions. Recently, a young Indian rider and her equine partner proved this point on foreign soil.
Nida Anjum Chelat, who hails from Kerala, traveled from Tirur, Kerala, to Castelsagrat, France, in order to compete in the prestigious Equestrian World Endurance Championship. It is a one-of-a-kind event and is completely different from the other equestrian sports. However, the 21-year-old, belonging to the southern Indian state of Kerala, was more prepared than most for the challenge and had a lot of faith in her partner.
Nida Anjum Chelat’s Journey to the Equestrian World Endurance Championship
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Nida Anjum had to circumvent a lot of challenges to reach this stage. However, her determination and hard work paid off as she and her horse Epsilon Salou managed to complete the championship while fulfilling its unique requirements. “To qualify for the World Endurance Championship, a rider and their horse must complete a 120 km distance at least twice within a two-year period,” per Deccan Herald.
The 21-year-old rider not only met this requirement but exceeded it by completing the 120 km distance in four loops in seven hours and 29 minutes. This earned her the three-star rider status, making her the only Indian woman to boast of riding a 160 km distance multiple times.
The race spans the course of 120 kilometers, where the rider must run through challenging terrain while making sure that their horse is unharmed. The rider must pass through four loops of 28.6, 29.2, 33.8, and 28.6 km distances each. A veterinarian is stationed at the end of each stage and examines the health of the horse.
The doctor disqualifies the rider if the horse’s health status dips below the accepted levels. Nida remarkably completed the first stage in the 23rd position, the second stage in the 26th position, the third as the 24th, and the final stage as the 21st rider. Throughout the course, she maintained an average speed of 16.7 km/hr. More than her personal victory, Nida Anjum was excited about what this feat meant for her country.
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Nida Anjum Chelat paving the way for Indian equestrian excellence
Nida Anjum proudly represented India in the global equestrian event. The young equestrian wore the Indian flag on both her jersey and helmet. The patriot even remarked, “I am immensely proud to be the first Indian to complete the World Endurance Riding Championship”. She continued by saying, “I am now embarking on further training for upcoming championships and will continue to strive for more achievements for my country.” Although she resides in Dubai, her patriotic zeal can rival that of any Indian athlete.
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She earned a ticket to the World Championships after clinching the Gold Sword at the Abu Dhabi Endurance Championship. She proved her mettle at a very young age by riding through deserts, mountains, and streams. Even her coach and mentor, Ali Al Muhairi, who is a renowned equestrian rider himself, was won over by her performance.
He said, “Nida and her horse displayed exceptional endurance as they conquered each stage of the race”. Anjum has plans to compete in more tournaments like the World Endurance Riding Championship and earn more honors for her country.
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It is indeed wonderful to see India opening doors to potential recognition of a new sport in the country by also recognizing Nida’s hard work and commitment to the sport. With this, it will enhance India’s equestrian sports on a global level and the future could see many riders coming through.
