New Delhi, December 5, 2025 — Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, felicitated India’s Eventing and Dressage teams for their historic medal haul at the FEI Asian Equestrian Championship 2025 held in Pattaya.
The six-member contingent delivered India’s best-ever performance at the continental event, returning with five medals across individual and team categories, marking a momentous milestone for Indian equestrian sport.
India Secures Unprecedented Medal Haul in Eventing and Dressage
India’s success at the 2025 Championship was headlined by Ashish Limaye, who secured:
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🥇 Individual Gold in Eventing
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🥈 Team Silver in Eventing
Shruti Vora, one of the country’s most experienced equestrians, added to India’s tally with:
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🥈 Two Individual Silvers in Dressage
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🥈 One Team Silver in Dressage
Other key contributors to the team events included:
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Shashank Singh Kataria – Eventing
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Shashank Kanmuri – Eventing
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Divyakriti Singh – Dressage
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Gaurav Pundir – Dressage
Their combined efforts secured India’s most successful campaign in the history of Asian equestrian competitions.
“This Is Not the India of 10 Years Ago”: Dr. Mandaviya Lauds Sporting Reform
Felicitating the athletes, Dr. Mandaviya emphasised India’s rise in global sporting disciplines where the nation earlier had minimal representation.
He stated:
“India is doing well even in disciplines where we hardly had a global footprint earlier. This is not the India of 10 years back — our sports ecosystem has transformed. The government will remove every hurdle that stands between an athlete and their medal.”
Highlighting the expanding support for niche and specialised sports, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building an equestrian-friendly sporting ecosystem within India, ensuring athletes no longer need to rely extensively on training abroad.
Government to Establish Quarantine Centre to Support Horse Movement
A major announcement during the event was the government’s plan to set up a quarantine centre within one year — a long-awaited requirement that enables smoother and legally compliant movement of horses for international competitions.
This facility is expected to:
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Streamline participation in overseas events
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Enable India to host high-level equestrian qualifiers
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Reduce logistical challenges for athletes and support teams
The decision reflects growing institutional support for equestrian sports as India steps into newer competitive domains.
Athletes Welcome Reforms, Acknowledge Swift Government Response
Three-time silver medalist Shruti Vora praised the Minister’s proactive approach in addressing athlete concerns.
She noted:
“When we expressed our concerns, he immediately asked everyone to get working on the equine disease-free zone. We need a system that allows the whole equestrian fraternity to train, compete, and qualify in India. Once these systems are in place, everything becomes easier.”
Her remarks reflect optimism among athletes that foundational reforms will enable broader participation, domestic qualification pathways, and world-class training environments within India.
Conclusion
India’s historic performance at the FEI Asian Equestrian Championship 2025 and the government’s ongoing reforms signal a turning point for equestrian sport in the country.
With institutional backing, upgraded infrastructure, and a clear vision to nurture niche disciplines, India is poised to achieve greater milestones on the global sporting stage. The athletes’ achievements in Pattaya serve as a testament to this evolving sports ecosystem that is empowering champions across diverse fields
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Source: PIB
