It was a league of events in equestrian sports that was being organized
in Bangalore. A large group of young teens were lined up to take part
in the day’s events. The day was dedicated to HORSE SHOW JUMPING
where the horse and its rider were supposed to jump and clear the
hurdles laid out in a specific formation within a specified time. The
person who cleared all the hurdles in least time would be the winner.
For every hurdle dropped there were negative points that affected the
horse & rider’s success. All the riders were wishing to get the
best horses that jump namely A’JAY, Chocolate, Farrow etc. however,
there was one fifteen-year-old who at the corner of the group stood
praying – perhaps for the same kind of horses. When the draw of
lots came up with clasped fists he uttered his prayer and picked up
the slip that contained the names of the horses that he will ride.
A
triumphant smile on his face clearly meant “his prayer was
answered” – that he had got the horse he wished for. Soon after
there was a commotion among the participants, I thought that this was
because he had got the best horse – but ‘NO’ the expressions on
the other participants` faces were more of concern and apprehensions.
As all the riders strode into the arena one after another displaying
their exceptional skills, this rider stood poised watching each of
his competitors perform. Finally, being the last of the participants
it was now the turn of this teen to display his talent.
As he sat
on his horse (chosen by the draw of lots earlier) and rode into the
arena all the other participants and his fellow mates rushed to the
edge of the arena. It was as if the entire crowd had come to witness
a miracle. There was sweat streaming down the coach’s face and
tension loomed large on everyone’s face. Some faces had a mystic
smile indicating perhaps they are seeing victory and the trophy in
their hands expecting failure from this young lad. The young lad rode
up to the judges’ calm poised with an unreadable expression on his
face, introduced himself and his horse and with the ring of the bell
sprang into action. What the audience saw an effortless and eased
riding – it was as if the horse and the rider had perfect chemistry
between themselves. The synchrony indicated that the horse listened
to every prod of the rider and performed exactly what the rider
wanted him to do. The same was with the rider too, he adjusted to the
horse’s comfort and gracefully manoeuvred through the obstacle
course. As they cleared the last hurdle, there was an astounding
cheer from audience – the officers, coach, parents of competitors,
the competitors and the riders riding mates. The thunderous cheer
continued even after they rode out of the arena. The young lad and
his horse had cleared all the hurdles in a span of 38 seconds that
won them the first place. What followed next was a real display of
our culture paying respects to a guru (teacher/ coach) by the
disciple (student) – as the teen offered his victory at the feet of
his teacher by prostrating totally with his body along the ground and
offering salutations to the coach. It was a sight to behold as the
coach/ teacher picked up the teen and embraced him congratulating him
for his victory. The next I saw the teen cajoling and petting the
horse he rode to victory and as I neared him I heard him say “Now
nobody will call you a useless horse or a horrible horse or a
mischievous horse (in hindi badmash or kharaab ghoda) nobody will
abuse you or curse you (gaali in hindi).”
As I walked up to the teen to congratulate him I could see him wipe a
faint tear from his eyes. When I asked if he was not happy with his
victory? what he told me astounded me. He said “Uncle I never
participated to win the event but to give this horse its lost
respect. Over the past few weeks people kept telling me that this
horse is a waste, he is a burden, it doesn’t jump, it throws the
rider off and runs away from the competition arena, riding it alone
in the arena is not possible, it is scared of the bell therefore it
plays mischief on the field, It has made the best of riders lose the
competition, it will never bring any victory to any rider, it is an
ill-mannered horse and a cursed horse when it comes to participating
in competitions, the rider who gets him is running on extreme bad
luck, or simply it is a useless horse, unfit for any competition etc.
etc. this hurt me a lot and I wanted to break this mindset which
people had about Sonu (the name of the horse). It is then that I was
determined to ensure that this horse too should get the same respect
just like the other horses. I wanted to kill this thought before
these thoughts kill the animal. Don’t you think that Sonu deserves
to be respected, to be loved, to be appreciated, to be considered as
a worthy animal and not to be cursed. Therefore, today I prayed asked
god that I get Sonu and to allow me to restore glory that she so very
well deserves. I guess my prayers were answered and I got the horse.
But my other team mates and competitors who earlier knew of Sonu’s
history were advising me to shun her and pick another horse. I flatly
refused and remained adamant much to the dismay of my team mates’
thoughts. The result or outcome that they anticipated was clear but
for me I had to break this jinx. When I cleared the last hurdle I
told Sonu that from now on she was really Sonu – The Golden
One. This is not just a victory; it is winning a fight for
someone’s rights – this gives me more happiness than the trophy.
He said if you want change then kill the thought uncle and not the
person – it is only when this thought is non-existent that fresh
thoughts and beliefs can be written and a new legacy of thoughts
reinforced.” It was now I felt, that, as a spectator I learned a
lot from this lad on this day which I feel is relevant in the
corporate world to bring about change and this I wish to cherish and
treasure for a long-long time.
The boy : Anmol Kamath;
The Event : Army Premier League (APL);
Venue: ASC Equestrian Ground