**National‑Level Equestrian Champions League Kicks Off in Coimbatore**
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – The Equestrian Champions League, a national‑level show‑jumping competition organized by the Equine Sports India Federation (ESIF) and affiliated with the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), began on Sunday at the Equine Dreams ground in Molapalayam, near Vellanai Patti.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr. Sundar Ramakrishnan, Managing Trustee of the SNR Trust; A.S. Sakthi Balaji, President of ESIF; Dr. R. Mahendran, founder of Expovan; and Dr. R.C.M. Vishnu Prabhu, ambassador for the India‑ASEAN Trade Council, along with the owners of the participating teams.
Six state‑based teams entered the league, each fielding six riders for a total of 54 competitors. The squads are:
* Chennai Bulls (Tamil Nadu)
* Pegasus Sports (Kerala)
* Golconda Chargers (Telangana)
* Bengaluru Knights (Karnataka)
* Elite Equestrians (West Bengal)
* Quantum Reigns (Goa)
During the inauguration, riders demonstrated a range of riding skills and stunts, and a brief exhibition illustrated the competition format. Spectators watched horses navigate a course that includes obstacles up to 120 cm high.
The league will hold contests on August 28, 29 and 30. According to A.S. Sakthi Balaji, the events will be divided into three height categories—100 cm, 110 cm and 120 cm. Performances will be judged by officials accredited by the EFI, which is headquartered in New Delhi. The course was designed by a professional from Sharjah.
A total prize purse of ₹30 lakh will be distributed among the winners across the three categories.
The Equestrian Champions League was launched in 2024 and completed its inaugural season in July 2025. The competition aims to bring together some of India’s leading equestrian athletes and provide a high‑profile platform for show‑jumping.
Among the dignitaries attending the event were K.A. Sengottaiyan, Honorable Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Tamil Nadu, and S. Kamali, Honorable [title not fully provided in source].
Article and image source: covaipost.com
