Mumbai’s Hriday Chheda represents India in Dressage at the 19th Asian Games

 Hriday Chheda from Amateur Riders’ Club represents India in Dressage

From Amateur Riders Club, Hriday Chedda (25 years old), repesenting India for Equestrain in the dressage category at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou. along with his 14 year old horse Emerald.

From Amateur Riders Club, Hriday Chedda (25 years old), repesenting India for Equestrain in the dressage category at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou. along with his 14 year old horse Emerald.

Khel Today Bureau 

Mumbai: India has a rich heritage of Equestrian Sport and the nation’s heart swells with pride as young equestrian prodigy, 25 year old Hriday Chheda, prepares to make his country proud at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. This diligent young rider, nurtured by the Amateur Riders’ Club, is one of only four riders qualified to represent India in the dressage discipline.

Starting at the young age of 6, he spent the better part of his life on horseback. Since then he has trained all over the globe and has evolved into one of the leading dressage riders of the country. Apart from his training and participating in various competitions at ARC, over the last 10 years, Hriday has also trained and worked in Europe with trainers such as Hannes Baumgart, and was also based with British Olympian Emile Faurie during his time in England. More recently in 2022 he trained with Leonie Bramall and now based at Pamfou dressage, France.

Hriday will be competing at the Asian Games on his horse Emerald. He also competed on the selection trials with Emerald. He has emerald for less than one year now but has managed an excellent relationship with him to manage this feat in such a short time. Hriday currently has one of the best performance records among Indian riders in all three dressage tests that will be part of the Asian Games.

Prix st George – 72.8% (CDI Hagen, Germany)

Intermediate 1 – 71.1%(CDI Hagen, Germany)

Intermediate 1 freestyle – 73.7% (CDI Motesice, Slovakia Winner)

Hriday Chheda, “Representing India on the international stage has been my lifelong dream, and I’m hoping to win and make the country proud given this opportunity,” said Hriday Chheda with an infectious enthusiasm that encapsulates his spirit.

Shyam Mehta, President, Amateur Riders’ Club, commenting on Hriday’s journey, states “Hriday Chheda exemplifies the incredible potential within our young athletes. His passion, dedication, and early success bode well for India’s equestrian future.

We at ARC, Mumbai’s only horse riding club believe that his triumph in the sport will uplift our young equestrians spirit and inspire others equestrian ”

Milan Luthria, Equestrian Chairman at Amateur Riders’ Club, “Hard work, dedication and perseverance have helped Hriday reach where he is. Team ARC is proud of him and we wish him well”

India’s last medal in the equestrian dressage category at the Asian Games might be a distant memory, but with Hriday’s talent, hopes are high for a triumphant return to the podium. The young rider’s journey is a source of inspiration for all.

About Amatuer Riders’ Club (ARC)
Established in 1942, The Amateur Riders’ Club (ARC) is one of the oldest and largest private civilian horse-riding clubs in India. This non-governmental (NGO) and non-profit organization (NPO) located at the Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai, offers riding throughout the year to members as well as non-members. The club provides professional training in all disciplines of equestrian sport like Polo, Show Jumping and Dressage as well as houses about 150 horses. It has been the driving force for the growth of equestrian sport for over 75 years. From known Bollywood actors, businessmen to royals, all have trained at ARC.
ARC is the only facility in Mumbai providing exclusive stables with world class horse care and trained grooms to its members to house their thoroughbred and warm blood horses. It also has 4 horse riding arenas including an international standard all weather riding arena and a floodlit polo arena, as well as a polo field. Every year it hosts the Annual Mumbai Horse Show featuring acclaimed Polo Tournaments like The Maharaj Prem Singh Trophy, Aditya Birla Memorial Cup, Southern Command Cup and Show jumping and Dressage competitions like the FEI World Show Jumping, the Mumbai Equestrian League, etc. It takes pride in providing well trained horses with top class coaches from across the world and India. It also takes pride in having offered training facilities to India’s show jumpers in the Asian Games.