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Paris Olympics not an option, LA28 more realistic: Chheda
The 25-year-old was part of the team that won the team dressage gold at the Asian Games and is already thinking of levelling up.
Hriday Chheda, among the architects of the equestrian dressage team gold at this Asian Games, is back home in Mumbai for a much-craved break. Training abroad while staying away from family and being at it for the last two-and-a-half years with the Hangzhou medal in mind, Chheda can finally look forward to a breather.
Even in this period of pause, though, dressage thoughts ride along. The 25-year-old will use his downtime to set up meetings with potential investors and sponsors for a sport with stiff financial demands, most of which Chheda has had to shell out from his own pocket so far.
“I hope to try and find the support that will be necessary for me to jump to the next level," the Mumbaikar said in a chat at the Amateur Riders’ Club, among the most prominent horse-riding clubs in the city where he has trained and which he has represented.
That next level for Chheda is getting to international Grand Prix events and then building on to bigger targets, which includes the 2028 Olympics. It will require greater funding into training and an Olympic-level horse (Emerald, which Chheda rode at the Asian Games, had been leased).
"I've been training for years and I would continue to, but to get to the Grand Prix level is very expensive. It's a huge burden, and I’ll have to find sponsors or investors who would support me to do that. That's the first challenge. And then the replanning challenge — whether I want to invest in a younger horse and train it for 5-6 years or just buy one of that level, which, again, will cost a lot. I hope this medal opens up some doors in that regard," said Chheda, who has been partially supported by the Pune-based Nanoli Stud.
The difference in the level of a horse for the Asian Games and the Olympics is, well, similar to that of an athlete. “An Olympic level horse is a horse that has been trained up to a certain level. The difference is in quality, just like an athlete. Like in India, most horses are bred and meant for racing. Out there we have horses that are bred and meant for dressage. So their trainability towards that goal is better," Chheda said.
The Paris Olympics next year, therefore, is “not an option" for Chheda, for whom the Los Angeles Games in 2028 is more realistic. “My plan for the next 2-3 years is to get up to the Grand Prix level, which is the level of the Olympics. Once I can establish myself there, I can build on to goals for the World Equestrian Games in 2026 and the Olympics. There's also the Asian Championships in 2025 and another Asian Games in 2026,” he said.
After a month’s break, Chheda will return to France at his base in Pamfoo Dressage, where he not only trains but also performs stable duties. His 7am-7pm days there involve “not only riding my horses but also riding a lot of horses for them”. “For me it's not only important that I get a ready-made horse to ride. I'm also keen to learn to develop and train horses," he said.
It’s all part of the developmental process, he believes, worthy of his personal sacrifices including staying away from home for years and burning a lot of his own money. The Asian Games medal — India’s first equestrian gold in 41 years — doesn't necessarily boost motivation but certainly the morale.
“I was always hungry, and regardless of this Games, I would've kept going for more. But of course, it has boosted our confidence. We know that what we've been working for is paying off," Chheda said.
“But more than me, I hope it gives a kick to the sport. That's what it requires. I think half the people didn't know what dressage was. So I hope that this medal has changed that. With any sport, the popularity grows when there is success.”
