IMTIAZ ANEES' BIOGRAPHY

Experience
Achievements
Springtown Stables
Trainers
Horses

Three-Day Eventing is an Equestrian discipline that comprises of Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping. Eventing is the ultimate challenge for horse and rider, testing their partnership and athletic prowess in three diverse and demanding disciplines. The event takes place over three days and the points earned get carried forward to the last day.

Three-Day Eventing has proved the versatility and endurance of the horse over the years and has evolved into an Olympic discipline. This sport requires the horse to be mentally composed and graceful in stride to perform Dressage on the first day. The second phase, Cross Country, requires the horse to have the courage, speed, and endurance to gallop long distances and jump approximately 30 fixed natural fences (ditches, water, banks) over undulating terrain. If this is not enough, on the third day the horse needs to make a quick recovery. He needs to shift gears and show that he has the reserves, and is sound enough to tackle Show Jumping. A show jumping course consists of 12 obstacles, needing to be jumped accurately and obediently.

You might wonder how I got involved in this sport? To find the answer you will need to travel back in time with me.

At the age of five, I won my first competition on a 16 year old horse, Rajesh, at the Amateur Riders Club, Bombay. And no one could have been more proud than my maternal grandfather, Mr. Kajiji, who was responsible for putting me on a horse when my legs were still a couple of inches short of the stirrups. My mother and grandfather, both being horse enthusiasts, were pleased that I had embraced riding - that was until riding began to take over my life. Worried about my academic future, my parents sent me to Lawrence School, Sanawar, a boarding school located at the foothills of the Himalayan Ranges. Their plan seemed to have worked when I immersed myself in swimming and playing hockey for the school, but horses and riding were always lurking in the back of my mind. Holidays were now my only escape and I made the most of them. Diana Wilson, an English Three-Day Eventer, was stationed in Bombay for an extended period and took me under her wing. Her guidance and encouragement pushed me to improve my riding skills and she has been a mentor to me ever since those early years at the Amateur Riders Club.

After acquiring my Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1992, I went to Australia to enroll in the Horse Business Management degree at Marcus Oldham College and graduated with a High Distinction. Having stood second amongst the graduating students, I was approached by the college to join the teaching staff. During my tenure I initiated a scholarship program and was successful in implementing the scheme by recruiting many prospective students. Although I enjoyed my work and the friendly environment especially amongst the teaching fraternity, I had to shorten my tenure due to my Olympic commitment.

While I was furthering my equine knowledge, I concentrated equally on competing at Three-Day Events around Australia. I went on to win my first major Three-Day Event beating Matt Ryan an Olympic gold medallist. I also won a bronze medal at the Asia Pacific Championships at Melbourne. Upon graduating, I worked with world champion Bruce Davidson in the United States of America. I subsequently returned to Australia and made it my base to train for the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok. After winning a bronze medal at the Asian Games, I returned to Australia to resume my training under the tutelage of twice Olympian, Barry Roycroft. This time my sights were set on the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Having left the horse that took me to the Asian Games in India due to Australian quarantine rules, I was left with the daunting task of buying a horse and taking it up the grades. I was fortunate in finding Spring Invader, and for having the experience and knowledge to be able to train him from pre-novice to 4 Star in a short span of one and a half years!

I had a dream to ride at the Olympics and the ambition to fulfill my goal. Coming from an Asian background I did not have the opportunities that are available to riders from the western world. But I had the motivation and the knowledge to accomplish my goal. The early morning starts and the seven days a week training regime has now become a way of life. My wife has found consolation in the fact that with the feeding, grooming and rugging routine that I practice with my horses I am probably well trained to handle a baby! Riding in the Olympics has been a single-minded objective but it has not been an individual effort. I could not have achieved as much as I have if not for the support of my wife, my parents and the many supporters who have helped me along my uphill climb. Having reached my goal of riding at the Olympic Games in Sydney and at the World Champiopnship in Spain i now look forward to competing at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010.