Horseshoes bring luck, medal on a dismal day

Riding on the horses of sheer guts and courage, the Indian equestrian trio of Indrajit Singh Lamba, Bhagirath Singh and Rajesh Pattu lifted ...

Riding on the horses of sheer guts and courage, the Indian equestrian trio of Indrajit Singh Lamba, Bhagirath Singh and Rajesh Pattu lifted the sagging morale at the Indian camp as it won a bronze medal in the team evening at the Games here today. The Indian riders, who were lying fourth after the cross-country section yesterday, staged a brilliant comeback in the jumping competition to take the bronze with a total of 224.08 points.

Indeed, it was a surprise for riders and coaches from other countries to see the Indians doing extremely well on the Indian horses. ‘‘I feel as if we have won the gold,’’ was Indian manager and former rider Col Gyan Puri’s comment. ‘‘I must say it is a tribute to the well-known valour and grit of the Indian riders. It was the toughest competition that I have seen so far but I am glad we have won a medal,’’ Puri said.

	INDIA AT GAMES TODAY
• Cuesport: Snooker singles QF (6.30 pm), 3-cushion singles (6.30 am) and 9-ball pool singles (3.30 pm). • Boxing: All category preliminary bouts. • Golf: 3d round individual/team events. • Hockey: Women: Vs China (9.00 am). • Kabaddi:Vs Bangladesh league tie. • Sailing 4 and 5th races in all events. • Shooting: Men: 50m rifle prone preliminary/final; 25m rapidfire; double trap (150 targets) preliminary and final (from 5.30 am and 12 noon). Women: Double trap (120 targets) preliminary and final (6 am and 12.30pm) Story continues below this ad

After all, the teams from other countries had better horses and the Indians had to endure with inferior breeds. As Puri pointed out, it was the courage and will to excel has won us the medal. ‘‘Don’t forget it was the same Pattu who saved so many lives during the Uphar Cinema tragedy. What else can you expect you say when we are riding mules? Other competitors rode the BMWs, while Indians were driving a Maruti,’’ commented Puri as he compared the standard of horses.

According to Puri, some Japanese and Koreans were riding on horse which were perhaps more expensive than the total expenditure incurred on the Indian team’s participation at the Asian Games. ‘‘But I am happy we have proved that the Indians can do it,’’ said a jubilant Puri. ‘‘Now I am sure the government will not hesitate to clear our teams for international meets,’’ he added.

Puri had a special word of praise for 52-year-old Lamba. Astride Tipsy, Lamba was only among the three riders who had a clear round. ‘‘It is amazing that once I used to ride with him and today I am his manager. He is going great,’’ said Puri about Lamba. ‘‘He is the grand dad of equestrian in India,’’ Puri paid the compliment to the squadron leader.

Puri said that the Indian riders owe a lot to Lt Gen Krishan Pal, a Kargil hero, who made all efforts to help the Indian riders but a lot more has to be done.

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Puri was also optimistic about India’s performance in the individual dressage and showjumping events. ‘‘Two of our horses have become lame but I hope everything will be fine,’’ he said.