He Rides for India, But Never Alone: Shashank Singh Kataria on the Bond With His Horses
As PreferredSource There are moments in sport that are difficult to put into words. For 22-year-old Indian eventing rider Shashank Singh Kataria, one of them comes when the Indian national anthem plays after he has competed for his country. For Shashank, representing India is not…
As PreferredSource There are moments in sport that are difficult to put into words. For 22-year-old Indian eventing rider Shashank Singh Kataria, one of them comes when the Indian national anthem plays after he has competed for his country.
For Shashank, representing India is not an abstract ambition. It is what he has trained towards for years, through early mornings, international competitions, injuries, falls, setbacks and the constant demands of preparing both himself and his horses for the highest levels of eventing.
What Happened
The sessions were casual and weekly, with Shashank simply riding around an arena. About six months into his riding journey, a bigger decision had to be made.
In 2018, when he was 14, Shashank got on a horse for the first time after a doctor recommended riding for health reasons.
In 2022, he and his family made another life-changing decision.
Today, his sights are firmly set on Los Angeles 2028.
Key Details
Polo was not an Olympic sport, while disciplines such as eventing, dressage and jumping offered a potential Olympic pathway. Shashank and his family decided to make the switch.
For now, that next step is Los Angeles 2028.
But Shashank has already learned that an Olympic journey is not built in a single season.
The road will involve more competitions, more training, more early mornings and, inevitably, more difficult days.
Why It Matters
What followed was a period of unlearning and relearning. He moved from polo into Olympic equestrian sport and began working with an off-the-track ex-racehorse.
He points to the example of Fouaad Mirza competing at the Tokyo Olympics, which gave him the confidence to believe that an Indian rider could follow that path.
Away from competition, he is equally conscious of what his journey could mean for Indian equestrian sport.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
Continued reporting by Deccan Chronicle as more details emerge
