National qualifier for Junior National Equestrian Championship begins

The EFI National Qualifier for the Junior National Equestrian Championship 2026 began at Nasr Polo & Equestrian Academy in Hyderabad on Thursday. Nearly 50 horses and young riders from leading equestrian clubs are participating in the qualifying competitions

Hyderabad: The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) National Qualifier for the Junior National Equestrian Championship 2026 commenced at the Nasr Polo & Equestrian Academy here on Thursday.

Following the mandatory veterinary inspection, the competitive programme began with the Children-II and Children-I Dressage events. The qualifier has attracted nearly 50 horses, along with young riders representing several leading equestrian clubs.

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In the Children-II Dressage, Siddharth Dutta, riding Willbur for HPRC, delivered the leading performance with a score of 68.750 per cent. Ananya Gupta, riding Achilles, recorded the next-highest score of 63.469 per cent. Samyukta Vanapalli, riding Alaba, and Dhruva Potineni, riding Grace, both scored 63.281 per cent.

In the Children-I Dressage, Anet Salomi Castilino, riding Bella for HPRC, led the category with 64.211 per cent. Janampally Hitesh Reddy, riding Centaur, followed with 60.822 per cent, while Yuvraj Rohit Gupta, riding Achilles, scored 56.447 per cent.

Riders from HPRC, Covai Stables and The Ashva Collective participated in Thursday’s dressage programme, displaying skill, discipline and sportsmanship.

The National Qualifier provides young equestrians with an opportunity to achieve the prescribed qualification standards for the EFI Junior National Equestrian Championship, scheduled to be held later this year.

The qualifying programme will continue at Nasr Polo & Equestrian Academy with further competitions across the scheduled categories.