The Tolly stables may not be the most visited spot on the club’s sprawling grounds, but the equestrian activities here have quietly reached an international level of accomplishment, being the only club in the city to boast of the facility.

Four young stalwarts from the club made their mark at the Junior National Equestrian Championship and the Delhi Horse-Show, where they emerged winners. The youngest is all of 10 years old and the oldest is 17. Even on wintry mornings, the foursome reach the stables at 6am and after an hour of horsing around (quite literally!), they pack their gear and blazers and make it to school. Early evening, they are back for a round of the arena.

“We have close to 125 riders who are regularly enrolled in the classes and another 25 who are floating riders. It is a small system but it has produced good talent,” says Sangeet Bagrodia, chairman, equestrian sub-committee, Tollygunge Club. The committee is also working hard to bring to Calcutta a championship and horse show this year.

t2 meets the newest star riders of Tollygunge Club....

Name: Adidev Roy.
Age: 11.
School: La Martiniere for Boys.
Riding from: 2002.
Awards: Placed third in junior dressage and third in fault-and-out in Delhi Horse-Show.
I want to be a rider because: I love animals.
My fave horse is: Silver Streak (a white beauty), Yokozuna (don’t go by his name, but yes, he’s a killer!)
Dream: My dream is to be an Olympic-level rider.

Name: Adhiraj Mukerji.
Age: 17.
School: La Martiniere for Boys.
Riding from: March 1996.
Awards: Won the silver and bronze in dressage and the bronze in accumulator jumping at the Delhi Horse Show. Also bagged the bronze in both dressage and accumulator jumping at the Junior National Equestrian Championship.
Passion for riding began when: I used to see horses in the club in my formative years and consequently enrolled for classes. After taking part in a few competitions I realised I enjoyed it.
I want to be a rider because: It makes you confident — you can’t control an animal if you are not confident yourself.
Dream: To ride at the Olympics.

Name: Raunak Banerji.
Age: 17.
School: La Martiniere for Boys.
Riding from: March 1997.
Awards: First in junior dressage in the Delhi Horse Show and gold winner at the Junior National Equestrian Championship.
Passion for riding began when: I used to ride at the club with my uncle when I was younger. If I was nowhere to be found, my parents knew I would be at the Tolly stables!
I want to be a rider because: It’s a sport where age is no bar. Even if you’re 60, you can do dressage, which is less challenging for the body than jumping.
Dream: To participate in the Olympics, provided we get sponsors which is very difficult in India.

Name: Yagnesh Bagrodia.
Age: 10.
School: Calcutta International School.
Riding from: 2005.
Awards: Placed sixth in Delhi Horse-Show.
I want to be a rider because: It’s a great sport. It involves more skill than strength.
My fave horse is: Silver Streak, Yokozuna.
Dream: To ride in the Olympics.