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Being an outsider is never easy. It comes with the heavy weight of figuring out how to fit in and blend in with those around you. The burden only gets heavier when those around you mock you for being different as you’re trying to settle in. Isolation, ridicule, and mockery are all part of this process. Being bullied is not uncommon either, as it’s fairly easy to single out and ostracize someone for their differences. These are just a few hardships Anush Agarwalla faced on his incredible journey in the sport of Equestrian.

The small-town boy from Kolkata found no comfort after moving to Germany when he was 17. However, nothing in this life is permanent. Just a few years down the line Anush, astride his horse Etro, would be silencing his critics.

Hardships In the Equestrian Scene

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At 17, Anush was just a young boy caught between Germany and India. He would fly back and forth between both countries, taking his exams in India while working towards his dreams of being a top dressage rider. While he has now become India’s new equestrian star, things were not always easy for the young man. Still, he faced his adverse situations and rose to become the cream of the crop.

Read More: $244,567 Worth Horse Shocks Equestrian World With 7–1 Upset in Grade 3 Stakes

“Personally, I think shifting to Germany at a young age was very difficult. I knew nobody there, I had never lived alone. I did not know the language. I faced a lot of criticism because not many people believed in me,” Agarwalla said. However, this was not nearly enough to stop Agarwalla from training under Hubertus Schmidt in his facility. Schmidt was a dressage team gold medalist in the 2004 Olympic Games.

Training for a sport that was predominantly European, Anush faced an uphill battle from Day 1. It took a lot of acceptance from the locals to let Anush, an Indian, settle in. However, once he was there, there was no stopping him.

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Hurdles in Indian Equestrian

Anush claims he arrived at the scene much under the expected level. However, through sacrifice, loneliness, and sleepless nights, he grew stronger and more eager. “I never had regrets. Looking back, I am happy for everything I did, and that is what got me here,” he said, with a sense of contentment in his words. Still, Anush had bigger prices to pay.

Anush explains how his sport of choice is very expensive to pursue. He elaborated on how he needed to go abroad to be among the best at Equestrian. That being said, he also highlighted the need for more accomplished trainers in India. He also touched upon the problems and controversies around the Equestrian Federation of India, especially before a big competition. He claimed the support he received before competitions was very “disappointing and difficult.” 

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“I hope the federation understands that it would be easier if we athletes focus mainly on riding and training and not on other things,” he added. We hope that Anush’s incredible showing at the Asian Games pushes authorities to bring about the required changes to improve the scope of the sport in India.

Watch This Story: 37-Year-Old Man’s Harrowing Behavior Towards His Horses Raises Concerns in Equestrian Community

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