MYSORE, June 14: The country in general and equestrian in particular has lost a great sportsperson in the tragic death of the tall and gentle Capt MS Bhinder who astride his 11-year old Chestnut colt Pharoah had set the Police Horse Park here ablaze with the golden run of three gold medals, one silver and a bronze at the recently-concluded Fourth National Games.The 28-year-old horse rider was present at the Games with his wife and four-year-old son. His wife could hardly hide her emotions as Bhinder bagged one gold after the other in the team events for Delhi and play a pivotal role in Delhi ending its campaign at the Games with five gold. Their four year old tiny tot too was taken in by the joyous moments in the family.A true personification of a gentleman, Capt Bhinder was an Asian Games probable who put the tips he secured from French Coach Peire de Gopil to good measure at the Fourth National Games to emerge the horse rider with the golden touch in the end. ``This is a dream run.I have never bagged so many medals at a single competition,'' an overjoyed Bhinder had confessed to this correspondent after he capped his campaign at the Games with a gold in the show jumping (individual), dethroning reigning champ Ms Anisha Sodhi.Mrs Bhinder had cried unabashed with joy on that Sunday (June 8, 1997) when her husband landed himself with the third Gold and the fifth medal of the Games. Master Bhinder had looked surprised when his father proudly wore him all the five medals he had secured at the Games. ``I do not know what to say,'' Mrs Bhinder had shed tears of joy and rushed off to hug her husband.It is a sight which will linger on at the Police Horse Park for years.Beginning his dream campaign being a part of the Delhi quartet which won the team gold in show jumping on the first day, Bhinder led his team from the front contributing to the team's gold in the grueling `One Day Event' on the second day. He also bagged the first individual medal at the Games in the same event, coming second behind team mate Lt Rajesh Pattu, the same day.Bhinder thus entered the show jumping (individual) and tent pegging (team) competitions on that glorious Sunday with two gold and a silver under his cap.He jumped away with the gold in show jumping, commencing his performance to emerge the only rider in the field of 17 to clear all obstacles without a fault in the elimination round.The genial Captain clinched the gold recording just four faults to exhibit laudable poise and composure under pressure. Earlier in the day, he had helped his team bag the bronze in tent pegging (team) competitions. He took his personal tally at the games to three gold, a silver and a bronze.Bhinder had nurtured one dream which he was sure to fulfill, had fate not wrenched him away from equestrian and life along with his small but happy family in the fire tragedy at the Delhi Cinema Hall on Friday.``I will keep coming to the Horse Park here. It is my dream ground. My only ambition now is to represent the country in the Asiad and bag a gold.''Sadly, Bhinder's dream will now remain unfulfilled and Mysore's Police Horse Park will never see him again.Only, the standing ovation the good Captain received from a packed house when he jumped away the obstacles commanding Pharoah with ease and assurance will continue to resound at the Horse Park.
