BHOPAL: Pranay Khare, a national level equestrian player, whose goal is to represent India in Asian Games, Olympics and world Championship, has won 66 medals including 35 gold, 17 silver and 14 bronze. And he is just 14.
Recently, he won gold medal in World Federation Equestrian Championships, held in Bengaluru on November 26-27. In the championship, he played in 15 cm open category in which participants of age group 18 to 6o were his competitors.
He was feted with ‘Eklavya Award’ the most prestigious sports award of Madhya Pradesh government in 2015. He also won the Best rider championship trophy in the Equestrian Premier League 2015, the Best Sports Person of Delhi Public School in 2015 and 2016, the Best Rider trophy in Delhi Horse show 2016. He competes in the children’s category in all the disciplines like show jumping, dressage, tent pegging etc.
On being asked about why he chose the game, Khare, who is a grade nine student of Delhi Public School, Neelbad, said that “I started riding in 2011. Earlier, I used to go with my brother to the club and see him riding. Sitting outside the arena for hours and watching him developed my interest in the sport and finally I started riding. My brother, Pranjal Khare made me familiar with horses and taught me the basics. And he is my inspiration. Also, it’s individual and not team sport so there is lot of scope to give your best.
“In the game, horse is your friend not merely an animal and we help each other”, he emphasises, when asked about his relationship with his mount.
In 2012, he decided that he will make his career in horse riding. His first ever competition was JNEC 2013 at Kolkata where he won his first medal which was bronze. This boosted his confidence and after this he has been participating in almost all the horse shows.
Khare says, “Yes, it is very exhausting working in the sun with the horses. I devoted three to three-anda-half hours daily, especially during holidays in morning for training and three hours for studies in the evening. I’m a non-vegetarian but my diet is fixed including one bowl dal, 2 chapatis and one sabzi. I have to manage it carefully.”
“As this is a very expensive game you need very monetary support from family. My family bears my expanses and sometimes the government too. I get great support from my parents, Praveen and Preeti Khare who are opticians. I also got huge support from my teachers and friends. In fact, I get sport scholarship from my school. I feel very proud when I got appreciation,” added Khare, whose other hobbies are painting, drawing and playing cricket.
