Shruti Vora makes history as first Indian in Grand Prix

Shruti Vora has achieved a historic milestone as the first Indian to win a three-star Grand Prix equestrian event. Riding her horse, Magnanimous, Vora triumphed at the FEI Dressage World Cup held in Lipica, Slovenia, achieving a score of 67.761% in this highly technical discipline. This victory not only secured a crucial Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) point but also propelled her closer to qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Previously, her compatriot Anush Agarwal was the sole Indian dressage rider in contention for an Olympic berth.

The three-star Grand Prix, or CDI-3, signifies a challenging level in equestrian sports, with ratings extending up to five stars for the toughest competitions. Vora’s accomplishment is not just a personal feat but also a significant breakthrough for Indian equestrian sports.

At Lipica, Vora outperformed Moldova’s Tatiana Antonenco, who scored 66.522% riding Aachen, and Austria’s Juliane Jerich with 66.087% on Quarter Girl. This triumph underscores Vora’s progress since relocating to Europe in May to intensify her training efforts.

“This is a pivotal moment in my career and a step closer to my Olympic dream,” expressed Vora, who plans to sustain her competitive momentum with two upcoming events before the qualification deadline on June 24. She attributes her confidence to recent performances, which she believes demonstrate substantial improvement.

While Anush Agarwalla has secured three MERs, all his qualifying scores were achieved last year. In contrast, Vora emphasizes the significance of current form, advocating for the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) to consider recent performances in selecting the Olympic contender.

Based in Germany, Vora receives guidance from Helen Langehanenberg, silver medallist at the London Olympics, and long-time coach Jitendarjit Singh Ahluwalia. Her training regimen and bond with Magnanimous have been pivotal in their rapid progress. Vora aims to consistently achieve scores in the 72%-73% range, akin to elite European riders.

Shruti Vora’s journey in equestrian sports began in Kolkata, where she was introduced to horse riding by her mother and trained at the Army Riding School in Ballygunge. After a hiatus, she returned to competitive riding in 2009, receiving training from renowned equestrians like Reiner Klimke, Anne Jensen-Van Olst, and Patrick Le Rolland.

Having represented India at prestigious events including the 2022 FEI World Championships and 2014 Asian Games, Vora’s recent achievements indicate promising prospects for further international accolades.

Shruti Vora’s historic win at Lipica signifies a significant milestone for Indian equestrian sports. Her dedication, skill, and strategic training highlight India’s growing prominence in global equestrianism, inspiring future generations of riders as she pursues her Olympic aspirations.

Re-reported from the article originally published in She the people.