By Lamphrangbor Nongspung
The Equestrian Association of Meghalaya (EAM) is making an effort to revive the popularity of the equestrian sports in the State. In a humble way, the Association is also trying to organise an event as part of the overall destination promotion initiative and position Shillong as a hub of traditional and niche sports events. Shillong has had a rich history of equestrian sports and horsemanship ranging from Polo, which used to be played at the present Polo Ground, to horse racing and cross-country rides on the numerous bridle paths and traces. Over the years, however, with some lapses the sport had lost its individuality and sanctified place in the sphere of sports. Exploring this aspect, along with authorities in charge, Sunday Shillong analyses the subject matter.
Historical context
Historically, the relationship between humans and horses dates back to as early as circa 1500 BCE during the Indo-Aryan age but evidence of horse games and activities can be found carved in the inscriptions of Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI)that was formed in 1967 was tasked with an urgency to ‘promote equine breeding and care and management of equines’ as the Partition of India had resulted in the loss of its horse breeding territory in Pakistan’s West Punjab.
As per the EFI, Equestrian sport is concentrated in certain areas of India namely Delhi, Meerut, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kolkata, Chennai, Pondicherry, Pune, Mumbai and Bhopal. In a slow and steady pace, beginning with polo and then moving onto other activities, the country has made its mark internationally too.
When the European community settled in Shillong, they had a fully established club called the Shillong Club in 1878 to cater to the community’s recreational activities but there was an absence of playing fields for their desired outdoor games like football, hockey, cricket, and the esteemed horse polo.
On November 12, 1901, a group of six British men, through a resolution formed a Trust called ‘The Shillong Recreation Ground Trust’ (SRGT) which was given the responsibility of acquiring land in the ‘Umkhrah Valley’ for the playing fields. The SRGT appointed an agency in 1907 known as the General Sports Committee to conduct regular races, football, hockey, and other games on behalf of the Trust. Of all the recreational activities, the most popular was horse racing which began probably around 1910.
However, horse racing was sadly discontinued as a result of the ‘Siat Teem’ also known as ‘Teer’ or ‘Archery’ in 1968 because the dividends were far lesser in horse racing as compared to ‘Siat Teem’. A despairing turn of events as horse racing was an alluring part of the history of Shillong.
Chairman of the event, BK Dey Sawian said that it was in the year 1904 that the Polo Ground was established by the then administrators along with some civilians, most of whom were Englishmen.
According to Sawian, they had bought this property and diverted the Wah Umkhrah. He stated that the present Wah Umkhrah channel is not the original channel and the channel ran right through the field. “You can imagine the feat of engineering during that time. I don’t think the engineers are capable to do these things today with little wherewithal and technology and machinery and were able to divert and create this beautiful Polo ground and the race coast which has a long track. This is why it is called the SGRT,” Sawian said.
Chairman of the event said that unfortunately this ground has been misused over the years for various purposes because of lack of open space like hosting of exhibitions, fetes, parades and church meetings. Sawian, however asserted that the association felt the need to relive the old policy or old thought of these people which is heritage and that is why they called this event as the Shillong Heritage Horse Show.
Sawian also stated that since the Chief Minister had announced that Meghalaya will be hosting the national games in 2025, there has been a consensus among the sports authorities to make a mark through equestrianism. “We felt that it is important to regenerate the interest of this particular activity which is an Olympic sport in Shillong,” chairman of the event said.
Sawian recalled that they created the EAM in 2018 and were preparing for the 2022 national games which did not happen. “That momentum was lost but this time around, we have another two years for the National Games and we must get back on track,” he said.
Sawian, as the chairman of the event, made a quick reminder that this is an Olympic discipline and it is also a unique one where men and women compete on the same platform.
Galloping through the region
Less highlighted in the news, but the Northeast has had its share of equestrian meets. Arunachal held its first horse riding show in 2019 as part of its 33rd Statehood Day Celebrations. The State Equestrian Championship in Dibrugarh, held in 2022 also showcased jumping, dressage and tent pegging among children categorised according to age groups.
Shillong too has hosted major equestrian events such as the Junior National Equestrian Championships, and International Young Riders Show Jumping Competition 1996, The All India Police Equestrian Meet, 2002 and the more recently held Shillong Horse Show and Regional Equestrian League. Each one of these events received overwhelming spectator support.
To take this forward, the EAM in collaboration with the Shillong Recreation Ground Trust (SRGT) has recently hosted the Shillong Heritage Horse Show and Regional Equestrian Championships at Polo ground. The three day championship which concluded on Wednesday, June 7 included show jumping, dressage, tent pegging and a host of gymkhana events for children.
Sawian said that they are trying to create an interest in this sport in Meghalaya and there are efforts to build a team.
“We can promote the sport only if we have few riding clubs. How many people will be able to ride if we do it in isolation and put up a riding club in Shillong? We need to put riding centres in different parts of the state. It has to be at a different level also,” Sawian said.
Stating that some centres should provide training on some basic riding, he said that people who graduated from these centres can go to a different level altogether and join places of higher training levels.
“If we find riders in the state then we send them out since one cannot participate in isolation since they will not know their level of performance. One will assess their performance only if they move out,” chairman of the event said.
Meanwhile, the Judge of international equestrian events, Col. Sudhir Singh Ahlawat (Retd) said that this year’s event has been held at a larger scale as compared to the first Shillong Heritage Horse Show held in 2018.
“The equestrian activities that used to be on for a very long time were lying dormant and now it has been given a push. Higher levels of participation is seen from students of Assam Valley, Assam Rifles, Assam Police and other clubs. It’s great to see Delhi Public School (DPS) Numalikar, Assam participating for the first time,” he said.
Ahlawat said that if a couple good riding schools are set up locally, then he is certain that Meghalaya will rise steadily in equestrian sports.
“The government can take interest in it. I think there is nothing stopping this sport from growing leaps and bounds. If the government can earmark a small plot of land that can be used for equestrian activities, in the PPA mode and some other form would prove beneficial,” Ahlawat said.
Training of such a sport has found sparse participation because of the limited spaces where the enthusiasts can be groomed. Apart from a few schools, where the fees are beyond affordable for an average citizen. Alhawat, however, also mentioned that the facilities of equestrian sport are limited and it is owing to this factor that only few or those that are able to afford the expenses can get their children to learn.
According to Alhawat, this is a form of sport in which a state government can get involved, citing the example of Madhya Pradesh, where they have set up an academy of their own. Ahlawat added that this academy has produced a 19 year old boy who is now going to be a member of the equestrian team, despite hailing from a humble background. This boy is presently training in France after his grand performance nationally. “This boy gave his trials in the Asian Games and now the government has sponsored and bought two horses for him and is training under a top athlete in France. He will be part of the Asian Games team,” the international judge said.
The event and future discourse
The EAM and the SRGT with the support of the Assam Rifles co-hosted the recently concluded event with the twin objective of promoting Equestrian sports as well as to position Shillong as a Sports Tourism destination. Depending upon its success, such events can be held annually as an attractive element of Meghalaya’s tourism calendar.
Admitting that it is not an easy task for a small body like the EAM of dreaming of building a team, Sawian said that in a democracy it is the numbers that matter which explains why football is so popular, well financed and well aided and has large public participation and interest.
“We are hopeful that the government will take note of our existence,” chairman of the event said.
Meanwhile, Sawian also mentioned that they had not approached the Sports and Youth Affairs department for funding to host this particular event, instead they approached the tourism department for funding.
“We are building a niche activity and idea in our State from a different perspective altogether. It is for this reason we are hosting this Shillong heritage horse show with special focus to promote sports tourism,” Sawian added.
Highlighting space constraints, Sawian further stated that they (EAM) are looking for guidance from the SGRT to lend a designated area to commence building an infrastructure and grow from there.
Emphasising on one of the oldest connections that man has as a sport with horses, Alhawat further developed his case by saying “It starts by getting the feeling of the horses, sitting on the horses and then learning. The interest grows gradually and when it grows it never demolishes.”
A student of the eleventh standard at the Assam Valley School, Mebaman Kharlyngdoh said that most of the clubs who are participating in this event are outstationed. Kharlyngdoh said that there is a need for riding clubs in Shillong. “We have the equipment and the fields. We just need more people from Meghalaya to get involved,” Kharlyngdoh said.
The class XI student of Assam Valley School also stressed that there should be a club representing Shillong and Meghalaya in the events held outside like Indian Public Schools Conference (IPSC) Equestrian Championship in Punjab and Delhi Horse Show which are some of the big events in the equestrian community.
With auxiliary aid from the government, and learning from lived examples of other states, efforts of the EAM will hopefully find fruition for local committed athletes.