SHILLONG:
The Shillong Heritage Horse Show & Regional Equestrian Championship started at the Polo Grounds in the city on Tuesday.
The event, which will conclude on Wednesday, is being organised by the Shillong Recreation Ground Trust (SGRT) and Equestrian Association of Meghalaya (EAM).
It is supported by the State Tourism Department and the Assam Rifles.
The objective of the horse show and championship is to position Shillong as a sports tourism hub, along with promoting equestrian sports.
Colonel (Retired) Ashutosh Tripathi said, “After retirement, I started riding clubs and teaching children horse riding. Today, we have three clubs here from Guwahati. They are Delhi Public School Horse Riding Academy, Greenwood Horse Riding Club, and Guwahati Riding & Polo Club. Cities hardly have green spaces now. We want to come to Shillong for horse riding.”
“In all, we have 22 entries this time. For the event, we have thoroughbred horses. The competitions are in show jumping and dressage, and the best of the North East is here for the event. Assam Rifles has done fantastic work here. We hope the sport grows here,” he added.
The championships included open dressage, 85 cm show jumping, individual tent pegging (Lance Rounds A and B), junior hacks, gymkhana events, and show jumping knockout, to name a few, followed by prize distribution.
The event will culminate with the SRGT Heritage Ride on Wednesday.