Horses gallop to cheers in National Games

Guwahati, Feb 18 (UNI) If the players marched to the applause of the thousands of people in the closing ceremony of the 33rd National Games here today, the champion horses also had their share of attention.

The horse show, displayed jointly by Assam Rifles and the Army, had the spectators up on their feet, with the children visibly the most excited lot.

The horses galloped into the main Sarusajai stadium in all majesty, with their proud riders waving to the crowd in acknowledgment of the grand reception from the crowd.

From international champion 'Napolean' of the Army to 'Master' of the Assam Rifles of Asian Games fame, seven horses strode into the stadium in full glory.

While Napolean and his rider Lt Col. R K Swain have won international competitions, Master, with Havaldar Manoj Lama, had participated in the 2002 Asian Games, besides winning a bronze medal in this National Games.

'New Fortune', with his rider Havaldar Lakhbir Singh, has also won medals in the equestrian events in this Games.

The other stars in the horse show included 'Thunder Pool', 'Tej', 'Matilda' and 'Remount MR'.

The horses that took part in the show jumped over not just the conventional obstacles seen in equestrian events, but over cross poles, motorcycles, chairs, a tea table and a mosquito net.

UNI