Niharika Rides Into History

The Asian Games selection was a moment Niharika Singhania had dreamt about for years. Yet when the news finally arrived, the 19-year-old rider says it felt almost unreal. “My first reaction was a mix of excitement, gratitude and disbelief. You work towards something for so long that when it finally happens, it almost doesn’t feel real,” says Niharika in a candid conversation.

The achievement has brought her national attention, with congratulatory messages pouring in from all quarters, including icons such as Amitabh Bachchan and Ravi Shastri. But for Niharika, the milestone is also a reminder of a journey that began with a chance encounter with horses during a school camp near Pune. “I was around 12 years old when I went to a riding centre called Japalouppe. I fell in love with the horses almost instantly. When I came back home, I couldn’t think about anything else,” she recalls. What drew her to the sport was not competition, but the extraordinary relationship between horse and rider. “You’re working with an animal that’s over 500 kilograms, yet the communication can be so subtle that it’s like its own language. To build that kind of trust and understanding with another living being is something very special. I fell in love with the horses first, and the sport second.”

Her parents, Gautam and Nawaz Modi, were initially apprehensive about the risks involved. “It was probably the last sport my parents wanted me to pursue. They had heard stories about how dangerous it could be and were understandably worried,” she says with a smile.

Over time, however, they became her strongest support system. “They’ve been incredibly supportive, but they’ve also always made sure I earned my opportunities. Nothing was simply handed to me. If I wanted to take the next step, I had to show commitment and prove that I was serious.”

Balancing sport and academics required equal dedication. Niharika studied at Dhirubhai Ambani International School before moving to the German School Bombay for her IB Diploma. “Competing at the national level while completing my education was challenging. I was lucky to have outstanding teachers and coaches who supported me. That balance taught me discipline, which has played a huge role in getting me where I am today.”

In a sport still considered niche in India, Niharika acknowledges that female representation at the highest level remains limited. “The biggest challenge is probably the lack of female representation. It can make it harder to see a clear pathway when you’re young and starting out,”she says.

Yet she believes equestrian sport offers a level playing field. “Horses don’t care if you’re male, female, tall or short. If you’re willing to listen to them, they’ll fight for you in the arena. That’s what I love about this sport.”

The road to the Asian Games has also come with moments of uncertainty and self-doubt. “This sport keeps you very humble. You could be on top one day and eating sand the next. What gets me through difficulty is trusting my horse. We’re a team. I take care of him and he takes care of me.”

As young girls across the country look to her as a role model, Niharika remains characteristically grounded. “I don’t necessarily think of myself as breaking barriers, but if it inspires more girls to get into the sport, that means a lot. I’ve learned that there isn’t one set path in equestrian sport. If you’re consistent, patient and disciplined, the results will always come.”

And while making the Asian Games team is a landmark achievement, she insists the journey is only beginning. “My long-term goal is to keep improving as a rider and represent India at the highest level for as long as I can. The Asian Games is an important milestone, but definitely not the end goal.”