Equestrian: Bhoowan And Arshad Secure Gold Medals As JNEC 2024 Concludes With Record Participation

The Junior National Equestrian Championship (JNEC) 2024 concluded with a record-breaking turnout, marking its highest-ever participation. Held at the Army Equestrian Centre in New Delhi, the event spanned seven days and featured competitions in Show Jumping, Dressage, and Tent Pegging.

Over 700 entries were recorded, underscoring the championship's role as a key platform for nurturing young equestrian talent in India.

On the final day, Bhoowan clinched gold in the Junior Show Jumping Two Phase individual event. Riding Prithi, he completed the course in 27.44 seconds. In the Children II category of the same event, Arshad A secured gold with his horse Tara, finishing in 26.62 seconds. These performances highlighted precision and speed among participants.

The championship celebrated remarkable achievements across various categories. Akshat Vishnoi and Aadit Ghosh from the Army Polo and Riding Centre jointly won the Best Rider trophy in Children II. In the Junior category, Ahaan Jaisinghani, Ranbir Singh Dhillon, and Arjun Mallaya shared the Best Rider title. Earlier, Raju Singh and Anupati Navyashree Sai were named joint-best Riders in Young Rider, while Jaiveer Singh Nagra excelled in Children I.

Team events showcased collective strength among young equestrians at JNEC 2024. Chetak Equestrian Sports Academy excelled in jumping categories, winning gold in both Junior and Children II Jumping Team events through outstanding performances over two rounds. Meanwhile, Chennai Equitation Centre dominated dressage by securing top honours in Junior and Children II Dressage Team events.

The impressive turnout at JNEC 2024 highlighted equestrian sports' growing popularity and advancement in India. The championship served as a vital platform for developing young talent. EFI Secretary General Col. Jaiveer Singh praised India's emerging equestrian talents: "JNEC 2024 has brilliantly highlighted India’s growing equestrian talents, featuring outstanding individual performances and commendable team displays."

Col. Jaiveer Singh expressed gratitude towards supporting entities: "I would like to thank the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for supporting us through the event. I would also like to extend my gratitude toward the Indian Army for opening their facilities for us." He emphasised that such efforts will enhance India's global representation at events like the Asian Games and the Olympics.