The Hindu : Sport / Equestrian : Udai Singh is best young rider

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Monday, Dec 31, 2007
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Sport - Equestrian

Udai Singh is best young rider

Sports Reporter

— Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

GOOD SHOW: Udai Singh (astride Jungli Boy) who cornered glory in the junior National championship one-day event.

CHENNAI: The 20-day equestrian extravaganza concluded at the Mohite Stadium, Officers Training Academy, here on Sunday, with 19-year-old Udai Singh on Jungli Boy winning the gold medal in the junior National championship one-day event.

Udai had 53.8 penalty points after dressage, cross-country and show jumping competitions were completed.

The champion of the one-day event was not known till the last of three events—show jumping. A rider carries points from dressage and cross country to show jumping. Riding much before Udai, Mirza finished the final event with zero penalties taking her total to 56.9.

Coming in as the last rider all Udai (49.8) required to become the winner was to commit not more than one jumping fault (that is four penalties). He did one early, but skilfully cleared the rest of the fences to be crowned the champion and he was later adjudged the best young rider (18-21 years) in the 2007 National championship.

Meanwhile, Nadia Haridass, one of the best riders in the championship, had emerged the leader of the one-day championship with 48.1 points after the end of the dressage and cross country.

But she had to withdraw from the championship after the judges found that she had administered fluids to her horse (Rebellion) without the consent of the concerned authorities in cross-country, which according to FEI (international body for equestrian) is a violation of the rule. When this was brought to Nadia’s notice, she “voluntarily withdrew” from the competition.

The results: 1. Udai Singh, Dressage: 49.8 penalty points. Cross-country: 0 PPs. Show jumping: 4 PPs; Total: 53.8 PPs; 2. Ali Asker Mirza, Dressage 56.9; Cross-country: 0. Show jumping: 0; Total: 56.9; 3. Maryk Sahney (Butter Sponge) Dressage 56.9. Cross-country: 0. Show jumping 4; Total: 60.9.