The 24-year-old Anush Agarwalla will carry the hopes of a billion when he straddles an equine at the Ch\u00e2teau de Versailles in Paris. Horses are entwined in almost every chapter of India\u2019s rich history. In Mahabharata, Arjun\u2019s chariot was drawn by four white horses. In Paris, Agarwalla will be India\u2019s proverbial \u2018Arjun\u2019 astride Sir Caramello, the horse that enabled him win a historic dressage quota for Paris 2024.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been just surreal. From winning India\u2019s first medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games to becoming the first Indian to clinch a dressage quota for the upcoming Olympics has been a tremendous experience. At every step, the relationship with my horse has been special, almost perfect. The circle will be completed only when I can finish on the podium in my favourite city, Paris,\u201d said Anush Agarwalla during a chat with Shrimati Ekta Vishnoi, the host of the Fit India Champions Podcast. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Agarwalla\u2019s career has been a story of sacrifices. Born in a business family where no one played sport, Agarwalla has been living and training in Borchen, Germany ever since he turned 17. With less than two weeks at home in Kolkata in December-January every year, it has been a lot of hard work for Agarwalla, who secured two historic medals \u2013 a team gold and a bronze \u2013 on his Asian Games debut last year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Agarwalla credits his family and coach Hubertus Schmidt for his journey as an equestrian so far. Schmidt, a 2004 Olympics gold medallist and a 2005 European champion, has \u201cbeen entirely responsible for transforming me from a low-level rookie to my current position,\u201d said Agarwalla, who added that Schmidt\u2019s patience levels were \u201camazing\u201d. Interestingly, Schmidt was \u2018discovered\u2019 by Agarwalla\u2019s Sriram School Aravalli accounts teacher Adarsh through the internet!<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anush Agarwalla emphasized that \u201cbonding with the horse was critical to good results.\u201d The best of horses can get nervous and flustered like human beings do ahead of big events and crowds, said Agarwalla, whose six to seven hours of training time every day included a big portion on \u201clooking after the horse and building trust.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe trust level with your horse has to be immaculate. Bonding is key and I have been lucky both in Hangzhou and when I got the Olympic quota because both mental and physical health of the rider and his animal have to match perfectly. You can\u2019t whip the horse and get good results.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBonding, like human relationships, happens over time and these are like secret affairs really,\u201d said Agarwalla, who has gone back to Sir Caramello, the horse he had bought five years ago to qualify for Tokyo Olympics but missed by a whisker. In Hangzhou, Agarwalla was atop Etro, who now \u201cneeds a break after doing all the hard work in the Asian Games.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Since the quota is won for the country, Agarwalla will have to wait until June 24 when the Equestrian Federation of India sends the name of the rider who will represent the country in the Summer Games. Two dressage riders \u2013 Shruti Vohra and Major Jolly Ahluwalia \u2013 are contenders for Paris too but if form and experience are contributing factors, Anush Agarwalla looks like a frontrunner. <\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/04\/its-been-surreal-paris-2024-will-be-ultimate-test-says-anush-agarwalla-on-olympics-dream.jpeg", "alt_img": "\u2018It\u2019s been surreal, Paris 2024 will be ultimate test,\u2019 says Anush Agarwalla on Olympics dream", "alt_title": "\u2018It\u2019s been surreal, Paris 2024 will be ultimate test,\u2019 says Anush Agarwalla on Olympics dream", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "\u2018It\u2019s Been Surreal, Paris 2024 Will Be Ultimate Test,\u2019 Says Anush Agarwalla On Olympics Dream On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "\u2018It\u2019s Been Surreal, Paris 2024 Will Be Ultimate Test,\u2019 Says Anush Agarwalla On Olympics Dream, Fit India Champions Podcast: The only current Olympic event that involves an animal is equestrianism. In ancient Olympics, chariot races.", "seo_keywords": "Anush Agarwalla, Photo Credit, New Delhi, Paris Olympics, In Mahabharata, In Paris, Sir Caramello, Hangzhou Asian Games, Shrimati Ekta Vishnoi, Fit India Champions Podcast, Asian Games, Hubertus Schmidt, Sriram School Aravalli, Tokyo Olympics, In", "tag": "", "tagging": "Anush Agarwalla, Photo Credit, New Delhi, Paris Olympics, In Mahabharata, In Paris, Sir Caramello, Hangzhou Asian Games, Shrimati Ekta Vishnoi, Fit India Champions Podcast, Asian Games, Hubertus Schmidt, Sriram School Aravalli, Tokyo Olympics", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "its-been-surreal-paris-2024-will-be-ultimate-test-says-anush-agarwalla-on-olympics-dream", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "885", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-04-13 11:52:03", "updated": "2024-04-13 11:52:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Anush Agarwalla, Photo Credit, New Delhi, Paris Olympics, In Mahabharata, In Paris, Sir Caramello, Hangzhou Asian Games, Shrimati Ekta Vishnoi, Fit India Champions Podcast, Asian Games, Hubertus Schmidt, Sriram School Aravalli, Tokyo Olympics, In", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-04-13 11:52:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "others", "cnmid": "890516", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/its-been-surreal-paris-2024-will-be-ultimate-test-says-anush-agarwalla-on-olympics-dream-14529" }