On a high horse

"I like show jumping. It’s more exciting. Dressage too has its own beauty; it’s elegant,” says 15-year-old Zarosh Bharucha of Bangalore. Studying at the Mallya Aditi International School, Bharucha pursues his passion at the Embassy International Riding School, one of India’s top training centers for equestrian sports.

Keeping stride with the best in his age group at all-India events, the teenager has so far won three gold medals. At the Junior National Equestrian Championship in Pondicherry in January 2009, he secured first place in show jumping and dressage in the Children 1 category. The next year in Delhi, he got gold in dressage and silver in show jumping, following it up with a dressage silver in Calcutta. "The competition was tough, but I’m pretty competitive as a person. If I decide to do something, I try to do it to the best of my ability,” he asserts.

Zarosh Bharucha: competing nationally in show jumping and dressage

The lad got a leg up on a high horse when he was eight years old. "A neighbor was into riding. I wanted to start a sport and attended a summer camp in riding in Bangalore,” he narrates. Cantering along thereafter, he stayed the course, despite an unfortunate fall off a horse at his earlier riding school. "It was a pretty bad fall. I lost consciousness and had to be taken to hospital but thankfully nothing has happened. There are no lasting injuries. I was really afraid though, but working with my coach and with the support of my parents Cheraz and Shenaz, I got over the fear,” Zarosh relates.

A businessman in Bangalore, Cheraz manufactures and markets furniture under the name Good Lines. The family, including Zarosh’s 17-year-old sister Nyra, are all animal lovers. "I love dogs and horses and always go out of my way to help. In riding, I like the connection there is with an animal. I have a horse of my own,” Zarosh states.

Currently in Standard 10, Zarosh looks to harness his talent further in future years. "I study a lot and get good grades. I will probably continue in this school up to Standard 12. I may go abroad later. The riding circuit is best mainly in Europe. I would love to represent India at the highest level,” says the equestrian enthusiast.