The Hindu : Sport / Equestrian : Shivaji Poonia steals the thunder to emerge clear winner

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Monday, Dec 17, 2007
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Shivaji Poonia steals the thunder to emerge clear winner

Sports Reporter

— Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

GRACEFUL: Shivaji Poonia, astride Andy Flower, on his way to the Jumping preliminary fault & out honours on Sunday.

CHENNAI: Henry G. Bellew, the commentator, was at a loss to understand as to how so many riders were not able to clear the 10 fences in the jumping preliminary fault and out competition of the South India equestrian championship at the Mohite Stadium here on Sunday.

Dinesh Kumar (on Mascot), who came on as the 53rd rider, finally brought some interest to the proceedings by clearing the fences in a time of 65.68s.

However, it was Shivaji Poonia (astride Andy Flower), the subsequent rider, who stole the thunder. The dafedar did a fabulous job by clearing the fences in a time of 62.50s to emerge a clear winner. Dinesh finished second ahead of Major A.S. Baath (Ajooba).

Maiden title

Riding on Thunderpool, Jalim Singh, a naik in the Army, won his maiden individual National title by winning the jumping novice fault and out event of the Panasonic National championship in a time of 62.22 seconds.

“I am really thrilled with my achievement,” said the 32-year-old Singh, who is posted at ASC Central (North) Gaya.

The results:

Jumping preliminary fault & out: 1. Shivaji Poonia (Andy Flower) 22 points (62.50s), 2. Nb/Ris Dinesh Kumar (Mascot) 22 (65.18), 3. Maj. A.S. Baath (Ajooba) 20 (64.69s), 4. Maj. Raj Sangram Singh (Maharath) 20 (64.81s).

Jumping novice fault & out: 1. Naik Jalim Singh (Thunderpool) 20 (62.2s), 2. Lt. Col. G.S. Gill (Mahi) 20 (63.96s), 3. Aditya Krishna (Guatemala Hog) 20 (65.76s), 4. Nadia Haridas (Norfolking) 20 (66.63s).

Jumping preliminary technical: 1. Maj. N.S. Sandhu (61 Cav) on Golden Eye, 2. Dafedar A Sawant (NDA) on Tahir, 3. Sohan Singh (ASC C&C) on Gladiator, 4. Nb/Ris Dinesh Kumar (RVC C&C) on Mascot.

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