Horses stick their necks out for a swig at the Horse Riding School in Jamshedpur. Picture by Uma Shankar Dubey

Jamshedpur, Dec. 2: About 50 horses would be seen in action at the third Jharkhand Equestrian Games to be held at Gopal Maidan on December 4 and 5.

Tata Steel Officers? Beach Club (TSOBC) will organise the event in association with the Jharkhand Equestrian Federation (JEF).

Almost all the teams, which participated in the recently-concluded equestrian meet at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club ground, are expected to take part in the Jharkhand games. The events include tent-pegging (individual and team), dressage (novice open), show jumping, hacks (open), and hacks (women and children).

RVC Central Sector, Eastern Command, Rear Mount Training Institute and 509 ASC have confirmed their participation. Besides the above events, there will be prizes for best performer of the show and best child rider, said U.K. Srivastava, chairman, TSOBC. ?We expect some of the other teams to confirm their participation by this evening,? he added.

Srivastava pointed out that the meet would feature about 50 horses. He added that they have approached all top teams of the country and the response has been satisfactory. Maj Gen Dalip Bhardwaj, GOC, 23rd Infantry Division, will inaugurate the games while Tata Steel managing director B. Muthuraman will be the chief guest of the closing ceremony.

The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) has deputed Col V.N. Kapre as the chief of the technical panel of the games here. S.S. Solanki, secretary-general of EFI, will also be present during the meet.

However, defending champions Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) as well as 61st Cavalry (Jaipur) will not be able to participate in the meet. While the former will be busy with the Police Games at Tekampur (near Gwalior) from December 6, the Jaipur team will not come here for some engagement of its unit.

?Besides, the President?s Bodyguards will have a small contingent as most team members will be busy with the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin,? Srivastava said.

He pointed out that TSOBC conducted 10 events for the children of Riding School on November 28. The winners will receive their prizes on December 5.

Srivastava said 40 horses are expected to arrive here by this evening. A couple of teams from Calcutta too will be in the city today.