2 weeks ago
HPRC Riders Sweep Dressage at National Qualifier 2026 Opener
Horses and their riders took part in a big competition called the National Qualifier 2026.
The competition happened in Hyderabad, India, and was hosted by the Hyderabad Polo & Riding Club.
Riders competed in dressage, where horse and rider perform careful, graceful moves, and in show jumping.
Riders under the age of 21 must take part in this qualifying event to become eligible for the Junior National Equestrian Championships.
Riders from the home club did amazingly well and won every top spot in one of the dressage classes.
A young rider named Anet Castilino won first place in the Children-I dressage riding her horse Bella.
Another rider from the same club, Gautam Sanjay Sujanaani, got the highest score in the Junior dressage class.
The home club brought the most horses and riders of any team, with 42 entries from 16 riders.
The club president said he was proud because the results showed how strong their training and coaching program is.
HPRC riders swept every podium spot in the Children-I Dressage class and posted the top score in Junior Dressage at the National Qualifier 2026.
The qualifier, organized by HPRC with the Telangana State Equestrian Association under the Equestrian Federation of India, was the first National Qualifier of the season in the country.
Anet Castilino topped Children-I Dressage with 66.12% on Bella, ahead of Janampally Hitesh Reddy (60.13%) and Mereddy Akshaj Reddy (52.70%).
Gautam Sanjay Sujanaani recorded the highest Junior Dressage score of 61.10% aboard Airstrike.
HPRC fielded the largest contingent with 42 entries from 16 riders and 18 horses, competing against clubs including The Ashwa Collective, Archi Horse Riding Academy, Royal Caballo, THEC and Japlore.
- Who
- Riders from the Hyderabad Polo & Riding Club, including winners Anet Castilino and Gautam Sanjay Sujanaani, alongside riders from clubs such as The Ashwa Collective, Archi Horse Riding Academy, Royal Caballo, THEC and Japlore.
- What
- The National Qualifier (NQ) 2026, an equestrian competition featuring Dressage and Show Jumping, where HPRC riders dominated the Children-I and Junior Dressage categories.
- Where
- Hyderabad, hosted by the Hyderabad Polo & Riding Club under the Telangana State Equestrian Association and the Equestrian Federation of India.
- When
- The first National Qualifier of the 2026 season; no specific date was given in the article.
- Why
- The qualifier is a mandatory step for equestrians under 21 seeking eligibility for the Junior National Equestrian Championships (JNEC).
Key facts
- Event
- National Qualifier (NQ) 2026 - first of the season in the country
- Host
- Hyderabad Polo & Riding Club (HPRC)
- Governing bodies
- Telangana State Equestrian Association (TSEA) and Equestrian Federation of India (EFI)
- Disciplines
- Dressage and Show Jumping
- Age categories
- Children-I, Children-II, Junior and Young Rider
- HPRC contingent
- 42 entries from 16 riders and 18 horses
- Children-I Dressage winner
- Anet Castilino on Bella with 66.12%
- Junior Dressage top score
- Gautam Sanjay Sujanaani on Airstrike with 61.10%
Quotes
Chaitania Kumar
President of Hyderabad Polo & Riding Club
“"Seeing our own riders top the podium in the very first National Qualifier we’ve hosted is a proud moment for the club."”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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