For the son of an army man, taking to tough sports and adventure is second nature. Coorg lad Ajai Appachu is no different. Being based in Bangalore, Ajai was attracted to horse riding and took to equestrian events like ducks to water in 1995. He took part in local events and then graduated to bigger events. He started his winning streak in competitive riding in 1996 when he was adjudged the best rider in the zonal championships at Kolkata.
There has been no looking back for Ajai, whose parents Maj Gen Cheppudira Jai Appachu and Gita, have given him all encouragement and opportunities to excel in it.
A truly gifted rider and an extremely successful instructor, Ajai has won innumerable equestrian accolades in India, South Africa and Australia in every field of equestrian sport, whether dressage, show jumping or eventing.
Ajai has been trained under world-class instructors and is now the guiding force behind the Embassy International Riding School competition yard.
His students reflect his ability and the EIRS team for the Junior National Equestrian Championship is a force to reckon with, having achieved the highest medal tally at national level since 2003. The young rider has a long list of achievements under his belt.
Just sample this:
*Won the Individual Gold (1.30 mt) at the recently held KRA Cup, Seoul, South Korea. Also, won the Team Silver for Jumping.
* Qualified for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in the year 2010.
* Won FEI World Jumping challenge Category A in Meerut (2011).
* Won the FEI World dressage challenge held at Embassy International Riding School in 2008.
* Won Team Gold in show jumping at the Junior International (1999)
* Best Rider at the Tollygunj Horse Show (1997-98)
* Junior National Champion at Bangalore (1998)
* Represented India in South Africa where the team won a gold and three bronze medals
* Represented India for the 4th time in the International Tent Pegging meet (2000)
* Won the gold in the Lance and silver in the Team Sword events.
Ajai’s recent success in the World meet has given him immense confidence “I will be participating in a eventing meet in Germany.
My target is the 2016 Olympic Games,” said Ajai, for whom, his mentor and coach Maj Ahluwalia is the know-all and be-all of equestrian.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by S. S. Shreekumar / ENS – Bangalore / July 06th, 2012
