HPRC Riders Sweep Dressage at National Qualifying Opener

Hyderabad: The National Qualifier (NQ) 2026, hosted by the Hyderabad Polo & Riding Club (HPRC) concluded with a strong showing from the home club, whose riders occupied every podium spot in the Children-I Dressage category and posted the top score in Junior Dressage as well.

The NQ was organised by HPRC in association with the Telangana State Equestrian Association (TSEA), under the aegis of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) — the first National Qualifier of the season anywhere in the country. The qualifier is a mandatory step for equestrians under the age of 21 seeking eligibility for the Junior National Equestrian Championships (JNEC), and was conducted across Dressage and Show Jumping over four age categories: Children-I, Children-II, Junior and Young Rider.

HPRC fielded the largest contingent with 42 entries from 16 riders and 18 horses competing alongside clubs including The Ashwa Collective, Archi Horse Riding Academy, Royal Caballo, THEC and Japlore.

In the Children-I Dressage, HPRC’s Anet Castilino topped the class riding Bella with a score of 66.12%, followed by Janampally Hitesh Reddy on Centaur (60.13%) and Mereddy Akshaj Reddy on Chestnut Charmer (52.70%).

In Junior Dressage, HPRC’s Gautam Sanjay Sujanaani posted the Class’s highest score of 61.10%, aboard Airstrike.

HPRC riders were also well represented across Children-II Dressage and the Show Jumping classes over the two competition days, with Tia Malpani’s 61.72% on Tin Tin A among the standout scores in Dressage.

“Seeing our own riders top the podium in the very first National Qualifier we’ve hosted is a proud moment for the club. It’s a reflection of the training and coaching pathway we’ve built here, and we’re glad to have given riders from across the region a stage to take their first step toward Junior Nationals,” said HPRC president Chaitania Kumar.