Bengaluru, November 26: Jibran Khan won the 9th edition of Equestrian Premier League (EPL), held by Embassy International Riding School in Bengaluru.
On Sunday (November 25), EIRS' held the finale which was graced by the presence of Indian Equestrian Team riders Fouaad Mirza, Ashish Malik, Jitender Singh and Rakesh Kumar along with Indian Equestrian team coach Rodolphe Scherer.
The EPL Tournament had 3 categories - Children- 80 cm category, Junior 100 cm category and the Open category of 120 cm. Embassy International Riding School's Jibran Khan was the champion of this year's EPL. While, Tiyasha Vathul (CEC Rider) was the champion for Junior category, and Shashank K Varma (EIRS Rider) was the champion for the children category.
Apart from the winners of the EPL, the Indian Equestrian team and their coach were felicitated during the event for their achievements of winning two silver medals at the Jakarta Asian Games 2018.
The league in its 9th edition held this year saw around 40 participants with riders from top clubs including, Equestrian Centre for Excellence, Chennai Equitation Centre, Flying Sea Stallion; United Riders Barn; Equine Dreams; Setalvad Equestrian, Ambur Equestrian Club; Royal Equestrian Academy; Red Earth Riding School; Bangalore Horse Riding School, High field Equestrian Center etc
Mr. Jitu Virwani, Chairman & Managing Director, Embassy Group spoke on the popularity the sport has gained and about the Equstrian Premier League.
"Equestrian Sports is gaining popularity in India. The recent win of Indian Equestrian Team in the Asian Games 2018 has shown the potential of the riders in the country," Mr Virwani said.
"Equestrian Premier League acts as a platform to identify the talent pool for the sport which requires both skill and dedication. Through the league, we hope to nurture talented riders and provide them an opportunity to pursue professional sport."
The Director of Embassy International Riding School Ms. Silva Storai said, "Embassy International Riding School has witnessed some of India's finest equestrian sportspersons in the 9th edition of EPL.
"It has strived to develop equestrian talent in India through our League in the last 9 years. Equestrian enthusiast and sporting talent across ages are encouraged to strive to achieve the highest standards in the sport at EIRS"
Speaking on his victory, Fouaad Mirza said "Equestrian Premier League has played a pivotal role in helping me explore my potential as a rider. It has helped me hone my skills as a rider and has boosted my confidence which helped me aim at international tournaments.
"I am very grateful to Embassy International Riding School for their constant guidance throughout my journey and for organizing EPL which is an encouraging platform for young enthusiastic riders."
Equestrian Premier League is the Equestrian Tournament hosted by Embassy International Riding School. The tournament is held to help encourage the rising popularity of equestrian sports in India. Equestrian Premier League acts as a platform for riders and aims to encourage them to be internationally competitive in Equestrian Sports.
Final Results of Equestrian Premier League - 2018:
Open Category -120 cm
1st Place: Jibran Khan
2nd Place: Pranay Khare
3rd Place: Basvaraju S
Junior Category - 100 cm
1st Place: Tiyasha Vathul
2nd Place: Harsha Tejaa
3rd Place: Kavya Gopal
Children Category - 80 cm
1st Place: Shashank K Varma
2nd Place: Samartha Satyajit
3rd Place: Samartha Satyajit
Source: Press Release