Chennai's stables draw riders from across ages, inspired by city students recently winning National medals

The pandemic too has played a role, as more people started exploring horse riding as a means to get out of the confines of their homes

Yet another cake is being cut at the Chennai Equitation Centre (CEC) on Old Mahabalipuram Road. With an increasing number of children taking up horse riding, the stables often turn into venues for celebrations with young riders, for wins as well as birthdays of both horses and riders.

“There are cakes and carrots,” laughs Isabelle Futnani who trains riders at CEC. She is visibly pleased with the recent haul of medals by her students at the Junior National Equestrian Championship in Mumbai. “My girls won three golds, one silver and two bronze,” she says. In equestrian sports, boys and girls compete together in the different disciplines (Show Jumping, Tent pegging, Dressage and Equitation) and there is no separate category, she adds.