Riding Mysuru Royal Family Horse, Mangalorean Avinand Anchanahally Shines at the 10th Show Jumping Finals of Equestrian Premier League (EPL) held at Bengaluru on 16 & 17 November, organized by Embassy International Riding school, Bengaluru
Mangaluru: On 2 September 2014, Team Mangalorean had done an exclusive write up “PG Student Uses ‘Horse-Power’ Ride which Runs on ‘Grass’ to College to Save Energy and Pollution“, where Avinand Anchanahalli had commuted daily on horseback while pursuing his Post Graduation (MSW) at Roshni Nilya, Mangaluru. By commuting to college riding a horse, Avinand was making a difference in the society to bring awareness about pollution, saving fuel and energy, and spreading the message about caring for the animals and keeping the society green and healthy.
Avinand Achanahally, now 29 years old, is the son of an agriculturist A L Vijaya Vivekananda, who is also a coffee planter having a coffee estate in Mudigere/Sakleshpur; and K U Roopa, who is a house-wife. Avinand has only one younger sister, Adamya, having done her engineering studies in Bangalore. Doing his final MSW at Roshni Nilaya, Avinand was also the General Secretary of PG All College Students Association for the year 2104-15. He was also the Director of Malanad Youth Association and was president of College union at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru in 2010-11. Originally from Mudigere, he did most of his early schooling in Bengaluru but did his college at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru. He was a good volleyball player in ‘libro’ position and took part in various co-curricular activities.
Avinand has great love towards animals and birds- he has a wide variety of birds, few well-bred dogs and now owns a couple of horses. Since childhood Avinand had a passion for horses since his family owned horses then. Avinand said, “To keep the environment clean and pollute free I wanted to set an example for others also how nice and healthy it is to ride a horse than ride a bike or drive a car. By riding a horse you can learn about horse therapy, get physical fitness, and moreover you will develop love towards animals, and also learn how to take care and maintain animals. My main intention in riding my horse to college then was to save fuel/energy and reduce noise/air pollution”.
After College, now working at MCF, Avinand had started a Horse Riding Academy in Mangaluru and had trained many young and old in horse riding. This Academy is the only one in Dakshina Kannada. His hobby of horse riding has reached him to greater heights, where he has taken part in various horse riding events- and the recent being the one, where he took part in the finals of Show Jumping at Equestrian Premier League (EPL) held on 16 and 17 November 2019 in Bengaluru, organized by Embassy International Riding School, Bengaluru. Embassy International Riding School held this grand finale of the 10th edition of Equestrian Premier League, which witnessed top riders from across the country. The grand finale was neck and neck among the top riders with the finest horses to lift the champion’s trophy of the 10th Edition of the Equestrian Premier League.
The EPL Tournament had 3 categories – Children (80 cm category), Junior (100 cm category) and the Open (120 cm category). Ashish Limaye, a dedicated and talented rider from Embassy International Riding School, clinched the championship of this year’s EPL for the open category. Geethika Tikkishetty of Embassy International Riding School became the champion for the children category. Tiyasha Vathul of Chennai Equitation Centre was the champion for Junior category. Tiyasha Vathul was also the champion for EPL feature event knock out of 100 -105 cm Showjumping. A total cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs was awarded to the winners during this edition.
Embassy International Riding School is one of the finest riding schools in our country with best in class infrastructure, training modules, high-quality horses and the International jumping arena among many other features. EIRS attracts equestrian talent from across the country owing to the passion and determination that strive at every hook and nook of this academy. In this premier league, Avinand after clearing a few rounds managed to reach the finals, but unfortunately couldn’t win the prize as he was out of luck at a crucial time.
But Avinand says, “Winning is not important. Taking part in such a premier horse riding show is a privilege, and reaching the finals is a milestone since not many from Coastal Kudla try their efforts and get lucky at such a prestigious event. EPS is an event where international riders who take part in Olympics, Asian Games, Common Wealth Games, and others, ride horses. As many as 15 horse clubs from across India participated in this event. In this event, I rode the prestigious Show Jumping Horse “Ashkan”, belonging to the Royal Mysuru Family. The horse is from Maharajkumari Gayatri Devi Puravi Riding Academy, managed by the Royal Family”.
“I rented this Horse since it has made a great name in this segment of the sport. The trainer of the horse and the Show was Udyanparakkila. By participating in this event provided me great exposure to riders as many international-level horse riders attend it. Meeting such riders and attending such events enhances knowledge of the sport and helps climb the ladder of success. My aim is to take students of my Horse Riding Academy to the event, where at present I have nearly 25 students, of whom five are all ready for Showjumping when it happens” added Avinand. Team Mangalorean wishes Avinand all success in his future Horse Riding Shows.
