Equestrian Shruti Vora Becomes 1st Indian To Win 3-Star Grand Prix

Shruti Vora has made history as the first Indian to win a three-star Grand Prix equestrian event. Riding her horse, Magnanimous, Vora triumphed at the FEI Dressage World Cup held in Lipica, Slovenia, scoring 67.761% in this highly technical discipline. This victory earned her a crucial Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) point, bringing her one step closer to qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Previously, her compatriot Anush Agarwalla was the sole Indian dressage rider in contention for an Olympic berth.

A Historic Achievement in Equestrian Sports

To put Vora's achievement in perspective, the three-star Grand Prix, or CDI-3, represents significant difficulty in equestrian sports. Ratings in dressage range up to five stars, with five-star events being the toughest. Vora's accomplishment is not just a personal milestone but also a landmark for Indian equestrian sports.

In the competition at Lipica, Vora finished ahead of Moldova’s Tatiana Antonenco, who scored 66.522% riding Aachen, and Austria’s Juliane Jerich, who managed 66.087% on Quarter Girl. This impressive win demonstrates Vora's and Magnanimous's progress since she moved to Europe in May to intensify her training.

Pursuing the Olympic Dream

“This is a big moment in my career and a step closer to my Olympic dream,” said Vora. She plans to maintain her competitive momentum with two more events before the qualification window closes on June 24. Her confidence is bolstered by her recent performances, which she believes reflect significant improvement.

Anush Agarwalla, who has already secured three MERs, remains a strong contender. However, all his qualifying scores were achieved last year. In contrast, Vora emphasises the importance of recent form, suggesting that the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) should consider current performances when selecting the Olympic contender.

Training and Preparation

Based in Germany, Vora trains under the guidance of London Olympics silver medallist Helen Langehanenberg and long-time coach Jitendarjit Singh Ahluwalia. Her training regimen and the bond with Magnanimous have been pivotal in their rapid progress. Vora believes that with more time, they could consistently achieve scores in the 72%-73% range, putting them on par with elite European riders.

Personal and Professional Journey

Shruti Vora's journey in equestrian sports began at a young age. Born in Kolkata, she was introduced to horse riding by her mother. Vora’s early training at the Army Riding School in Ballygunge laid the foundation for her future success. Despite a 14-year hiatus following her marriage, she returned to the sport with renewed vigour in 2009. Her professional journey has seen her train under renowned equestrians like Reiner Klimke, Anne Jensen-Van Olst, and Patrick Le Rolland.

Achievements and Future Prospects

Vora has represented India at several prestigious events, including the 2022 FEI World Championships in Denmark and the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. Her recent performances suggest a promising future, with potential for further accolades on the international stage.

Shruti Vora’s historic win at the Lipica event marks a significant milestone for Indian equestrian sports. Her dedication, skill, and strategic training have brought her closer to the dream of competing in the Paris Olympics. As she continues to compete and improve, Vora embodies the growing success of Indian riders on the global stage, inspiring future generations of equestrians.