Lawrence School kids hog limelight

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JAN. 3. Riders from Lawrence School, Lovedale (Ooty) stood out in the children's show jumping normal in the United India National equestrian championship at the OTA premises, St. Thomas Mount, here on Wednesday.

In the meanwhile, the preparation process of the Equestrian Federation of India for the Pusan Asian Games in 2002 began with trials in two events that saw excellent performances, by Maj. Sunil Shivdass (Rampage) in the Dressage, and Capt. Vivek Misra (Miss India), which was absolutely breathtaking in clearing 1.40m four times, in show jumping.

All in all it was another eventful day at the centre, known for its polo games.

The Lawrence squad was jubilant as the 13-year-old seventh standard student, Sonia Futtehally, on Hurricane, struck gold in her very first appearance in the National championship. She has been a rider for some time now, but this was the first occasion Sonia had trained for jumping, and the gold was her's. Another Lawrence girl, Avantika, on Dark Challenge, bagged the silver.

It was a more than expected show from the Ooty school, which has already collected three golds, seven silver and some bronze medals. One of the Lawrence students, Shaurya Nehra, who won the silver in the junior jumping, is now in the Indian squad.

Dr. Rakesh Pattu, veterinary officer and riding coach of the school, said the school contingent had 14 riders and 11 horses. He was, of course, happy about the way his wards have been performing. They still have some more events to go.

In show jumping normal for children 1 (age 12-14), Nidhi Rudradev (Shanshah) finished third, but four riders, including three from Lawrence, were tied for the fourth spot.

There was an interesting finish to the show jumping normal for children 2 (8-12) in which Jochen Bijlos, a foreign national from Pondicherry, where the sport came into vogue only four months ago, recorded `clear', riding both Amenda and Belmore, smoothly to finish first for two gold medals. But he was not eligible for the top honours in a National championship and his name was deleted.

Aliya Dasgupta from Bangalore, on Badal (an army horse) was declared the winner. Prem Chanda of Lawrence, on Spitfire and Junior, collected the silver and bronze medals.

In the morning, the Asian trials in Dressage had only participants, three of the best riders in the country were on the best of horses and the event was a real treat to watch. The horses belong to the 61st Cavalry, Jaipur. Shivdass, Sundeep and Mahaboob finished in that order.

Then came Miss India's brilliant performance in the Asian show jumping trials. The horse has never been known to clear such heights. Still it was its day and it put up its best show with rider Misra up. There will be a series of trials before selecting the best riders for the Asian Games.

The results: show jumping normal for children 1: 1. Sonia Futtehally (Hurricane) Lawrence; 2. Avantika (Dark Challenge) Lawrence; 3. Nidhi Rudradev (Shanshah) 61st Cav.; 4. Devaraj (Spitfire), Vikram (Dancing Lord), Manoj (Multi Dollar) (Lawrence) and Romit Rao (Tanala) CEA.

Show jumping normal for children 2: 1. Aliya Dasgupta (Badal) Bangalore; 2. Prem Chanda (Spitfire) Lawrence; 3. Prem Chanda (Junior) Lawrence.

Asia trials-Dressage: 1. Maj. Sunil Shivdass (Rampage); 2. Maj. Sundeep Dewan (Tamara); 3. Mehabood (Searchman).

Show jumping: 1. Capt. Vivek Misra (Miss India) RTS & D (Sarangpur); 2. Danny Swittens (On The Edge) Civilians; 3. Maj. Sandeep Dewan (Master) Assam Rifles.

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