Asian Games 2026: India Set to Be a Horse Short in Eventing; EFI Counters Testing Allegations

New Delhi, Aug 31: India is set to be a horse short in Eventing at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after Bolivar Gio Granno, the horse of Captain Aahan Kumar, tested positive for Piroplasmosis, leaving the team with three rider-horse combinations and no reserve available to replace it.

India had originally selected four rider-horse combinations for Eventing, along with reserve combinations.

The positive test has now brought the testing of reserve horses into focus, with reserve rider Pradeep Kumar Jangam saying his horse was not tested because he was not informed about the requirement, a claim contested by Lt. Col. Sandeep Dewan, a member of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) ad-hoc committee.

Dewan, while speaking with myKhel, said the horses were tested on August 17 and that EFI was informed on the evening of August 25. "25th evening they informed us that one of your horses has tested positive," Dewan said.

He stated the testing was conducted by Peden Bloodstock, the official transporter for the Asian Games, with the horses undergoing the testing and quarantine process in Aachen, Germany. Dewan said EFI sought a retest after being informed of the result.

"We said can you please retest this horse, because maybe it is a false result. They said no, retesting is not possible," Dewan said. He said the federation was told that a retest would not leave enough time for the horse to reach the Games.

"They said even if we retest your horse, the horse will not be able to reach the Asian Games because it will have to undergo two more tests separated by 21 days each. And by that time, the Asian Games would have started," he said.

Pradeep Kumar Jangam says reserve horse was not tested

Jangam said EFI failed to send his horse's blood sample within the required timeframe. "I was in the reserves, sir. The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) failed to send my horse's blood sample, which was required by August 17th," he told myKhel.

According to Jangam, other riders, including reserve Dressage rider Anush Agarwalla, were informed about the testing requirement.

"EFI emailed all the other riders, including reserve rider Anush Agarwalla for dressage, but they neither listed my name nor notified me to send my horse's sample," he said.

Jangam said his horse was in Switzerland and that he could have arranged the test had he been informed.

"August 24th was my absolute final deadline for the 21-day window. Had EFI informed me, I could have personally contacted my coach in Switzerland-where my horse is currently located-and arranged the test sample myself," he said.

He also said the EFI team travelling in Europe to assess horses did not reach his horse.

"They did not go to my horse," Jangam said.

Dewan disputed Jangam's account, saying the reserve rider had returned to India after he was not selected in the main team in June.

"This other person who's the army rider Jhangam, moment he was not selected in June, his sponsor stopped sponsoring him after that, and he returned to India," Dewan said.

Dewan said that after the positive result involving Bolivar Gio Granno, EFI asked Peden Bloodstock whether Jangam's horse could still be tested.

"They said, 'Sorry, this horse also now it's too late. This guy who was the reserve did not show any interest once he was not selected in the main team, and he returned to India. We had no control over him. He said, 'Now I am not interested in reserve I am coming back to India. So, what can we say then?'" Dewan said.

Jangam, however, maintained that his horse was in Switzerland and that he could have arranged the testing himself had he been notified.

EFI cites riders' undertakings

Dewan said the federation relied on undertakings provided by riders after selection confirming that their horses were fit.

"After the team was selected, each rider has given us an undertaking on a notarization (term named apostille abroad), so they have given an undertaking that their horse is fit in every respect, after they were selected," he said.

He said Piroplasmosis can be transmitted through infected ticks, meaning a horse can test negative at one point and positive later.

"It is possible the horse was absolutely okay at that time," Dewan said. "You can get a negative result today, and 5 days later you can get a positive result also, if a tick bites in between."

Dewan also said another reserve combination was unavailable after its horse, based in Australia, was injured and could not travel to Europe.

How India Ended Up With Three Eventing Combinations

The following timeline is based on information shared with myKhel by sources familiar with the matter.

First week of June: The EFI Ad Hoc Committee appointed Dr Hasyneyn Mirza as Team Veterinarian for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

June 15: The Selection Committee selected four Eventing rider-horse combinations and three reserve combinations.

June 16: Selected riders were informed that their horses would be checked by veterinarian Dr Grigorios Maleas on June 20, 21, 27 and 28. Sources said the scheduled checks did not take place.

August 17: This was the deadline, according to information shared with myKhel, for sending blood samples for Coggins and Piroplasmosis testing to Dr Bose Lab in Germany. Sources said the horses of reserve Eventing riders Pradeep Kumar Jangam and Shashank Kataria were not tested.

August 20-21: An EFI team travelled to Germany, the Netherlands and France to assess the fitness of Dressage and Eventing horses. Sources said the horses of reserve Eventing riders Jangam and Shashank were not assessed, while the UK-based horses of Shruti Vora and Hriday Cheda were assessed through video.

August 21: Bolivar Gio Granno, Aahan Kumar's horse, tested positive for Piroplasmosis.

August 24: Jangam said this was his final deadline for the required 21-day testing window and maintained that, had he been informed, he could have arranged the testing of his horse in Switzerland.

August 25: Dewan said EFI was informed on the evening of August 25 that one of the horses had tested positive. He said EFI sought a retest but was told that the process could not be completed in time for the Asian Games.

Current position: With Bolivar Gio Granno unavailable and no eligible reserve combination available to replace it, India is set to compete in Eventing with three rider-horse combinations instead of the four originally selected.