An alumnus of La Martiniere for Boys, 24-year-old equestrian Anush Agarwalla, has been dreaming of the Olympics since he started riding at The Tollygunge Club in Kolkata as an eight-year-old. He recently cantered towards fulfilling his childhood dream — competing in the Olympic games.
In 2023, Anush was part of the history-making team that got India its first gold in 41 years at the Asian Games. The success streak continued for this Ballygunge boy in 2024, when he received the prestigious Arjuna Award from President Droupadi Murmu this January.
Anush Agarwalla received the Arjuna Award from President Droupadi Murmu in January 9, 2024
On February 20, he became the first Indian to earn an individual quota in dressage for India for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“It is an incredible feeling,” he said, speaking to My Kolkata about the event. “It has been a childhood dream of mine to represent India at the Olympics and I am ecstatic to win India our first dressage quota.”
An Olympic quota in equestrian sports, like other sports, belongs to the country and not the individual, so Anush still has one more step to clear before he makes it to France for the final games. Two other Indian equestrians, Shruti Vohra and Major Jolly Ahluwalia, have challenged Anush for the spot. The International Federation for Equestrian Sports will send the final name to the organisers by June 24, after a trial. However, Anush continues to prepare for his big dream from Borchen, Germany, where he has been training since he was 17, under coach Hubertus Schmidt who is also an Olympian.
For the young man, who is a pride for the city, the spot is a “big step in my journey,” after winning an individual bronze in the 2023 Asian Games. “I will continue to work towards my goals with the same discipline,” he said about the road ahead.
Anush with his horse, Etro, with whom he won at the Asian Games 2023, and (right) Anush and mother Priti Agarwalla at the ceremony for the Arjuna Awards Courtesy Anush Agarwalla
Anush’s mother, Priti Agarwalla, is hopeful to see her son compete at Château de Versailles, Paris. “I am overwhelmed with emotions with this fantastic news,” she said, adding that Anush’s dream became a dream for the whole family. “All of us in our own way have manifested his vision, which has become a reality today! Looking forward to seeing him perform in Versailles for the Paris 24 Olympics.”
Anush has recently moved from his Asian Games 2023 horse Etro to Sir Caramello who has been with him for the last five years. Anush won his Asian Games bronze — India’s first for the event — with Etro. According to Anush, he has built a relationship of trust with Sir Caramello. The steed has been with him for around five years, since he began competing for world championships in dressage.