Tejpal tops charts
Host rider Tejpal Dabar dominated the proceedings on the penultimate day of the Shaktiman 35th All India Police Equestrian Championship and Mounted Police Duty Meet held in Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy. Rode on two different Horses, Deputy Commandant Dabar clinched the first two places in the One Day Event Pre-Novice Cross Country and finished the completion in grand style.
The hero of the day was none other than Deputy Commandant Tejpal Dabar, a seasoned champion gave his competitors run for their money with decent show not once but twice in the same event. That may surprise many, but Dabar proved his skills again, to finish the course in 66.40 penalties to win top place on riding Sumrak and later rode on Star Sky to confirm second place with 76.83 penalties. Incidentally, he was part of SVPNPA to win the Team Championship Trophy in the event to make it grand double. Dabar was the Best Rider in the back to back Championships held in 2013 (Ahmedabad) and 2014 (Jaipur). His wife Ajitha, who was busy cheering and inspiring her husband throughout the competitions, was very happy for him about his consistentency this time too.
Riders continued to entertain the crowd with their skills and thrills through Show Jumping, Tent Pegging, Dressage, Cross Country and Medley Relay events. All these are being showcased at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, which is the venue for the ongoing championship.
Some peculiar events like Mental Hazard which terrify horses and test the ability of riders are a novelty.
Sunday saw enough enthusiasm among riders in the Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country, wherein participants were tested in Pre Novice, Novice and One Star categories. Beginners, juniors and experienced riders who fought for honours included, Sumer Singh, Jaswant Singh, Tejpal Dabar, Bhanu Prakash among others.
As many as 18 teams from various States and Central Paramilitary Forces were in fray at the championship in which 290 horses and 460 riders took part.
The Equestrian Police Championship included competition in Dressage, One Day Event, Show Jumping Event, Tent Pegging and Hacks. The Mounted Police Duty Meet events included, Police Horse Tests, Quadrille Competition, Medley Relay, Competition for Farriers & Syces and Mental Hazard Competition.