Horse riding is becoming the cool thing among young people and a talking point for the upper middle-class. Divya Kaushik explores the trend
Siddhant Kabra began formal lessons in horse riding from the age of eight. He liked his short sessions in riding school and asked his parents if he could get formal training. When he joined riding camp, most of his peers were army kids, or those from a family where horse riding was a tradition.
The sixteen-year-old says there has since been a major change, with more civilians learning to ride, as a hobby. Riding horses, once a rich man’s sport, is now an upper-middle class statement.
“The change is remarkable. A few year’s ago, there was only a junior’s club, with 30-40 members. Now the junior club is divided into three children’s groups, with 60 students each. So with more schools making horse riding part of their activities, children have better awareness and are keen to join their classmates,” shared Inderjeet Singh, a trainer at Army Polo and Riding Club.
Besides, learning is no longer expensive. “Delhi has more riding clubs operating all through the year. Earlier, horse riding was one of those summer vacation activities, with kids learning for only two or three months. Today they practice for years and also participate in competitions and horse polo sessions across India.”
Horse riding was always considered risky and one reason parents discouraged children from being on the fields with horses. But with growing number of clubs, instructors are available.
If you happen to be at one of the riding clubs, you notice kids as young as four, taking a round on ponies. But trainers still suggest the ideal age to start learning riding is seven or eight. Because its more about controlling the animal and understanding its behaviour. “That only comes with age and practice,” informed trainer Parvati Devi Sodhi.
Sodhi felt that one reason horse riding is a favourite with parents is because it teaches a child control and, “encourages kids to be on field and meet people. It is a social game. These days it is difficult to get children out of their rooms, away from computer, ipads and other gadgets.
“When they are part of a camp, they engage in physical activity, which builds stamina. They also interact with other students who might not belong to the same class or age.”
Both girls and boys take part. Shyla Singh has been learning horse riding from age ten. “My dad owns a stud farm and I loved being with horses. I am learning to ride and participate in competitions.” Her friends are also learning horse riding and polo. “It is considered cool,” she added. This is evident in the way these teenagers post their pictures with the horses on social networking sites like Facebook.
lakshyajeet Singh Sindhu has also inspired his friends, who were mostly interested in soccer or football, to learn horse riding. “They accompanied me on the field, saw the environment and were immediately interested. Now most of the students in my class ride.”