IMTI'S OLYMPIC MEMORIES

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On the 7th of November 1999, I qualified to compete at the Sydney Olympic Games in Three-Day Eventing. I arrived at this position by successfully completing Adelaide International Horse Trials - Three Star level with a clear round in Cross Country and placed 13th overall.

As per the FEI rules, the Individual Three-Day Event at the Games would consist of only 36 riders. The final selection would be made according to the world ranking. At this stage I was 18th on the wait list. I continued to train and from March 2000 to June 2000 I gradually moved up to 9th on the wait list. I was aware that not many countries on the wait list would fly their horses to Australia. So once the horses arrived in Australia I moved to 3rd position on the wait list.

I took the initiative and traveled my horse to New South Wales so that he could go into quarantine even though I was told by officials that I had no chance to ride. I then proceeded to give all the necessary injections and conducted the required tests following the example of the Australian Equestrian Team. I must emphasize at this point that I gathered all the quarantine information of my own accord and went to the extent of creating my own quarantine site as the regulated quarantine sites had no training facilities; e.g. jumps, dressage arena, etc. As I didn't have a Manager or a Chief de Equippe, I trained hard during the day and organized all the paperwork for quarantine, vaccinations and transportation at night.

At my request my coach, Diana Wilson, flew down from England to train me for the two weeks that I was in quarantine. Having the guidance of an internationally experienced coach and rider kept me mentally strong and focused.

On the 12th of September quarantine was lifted and the Australian horses moved into Horsely Park the Olympic Equestrian site. Since no horse had gone lame or had been withdrawn at this point, I was told by the authorities that I should consider it all over. I still persisted, kept my horse in quarantine and continued to train.

On the 17th of Septmber, I went to the venue to walk the course and also filed an appeal to allow me to be on standby if any horse went lame. After a meeting, the officials decided that the 18th of September at 5 PM would be the final cut off for me to enter the venue, in the event of a country pulling their horse out of competition. I spent the 18th walking the Cross Country course for the second time. At the end of the day, when I still hadn't heard from the officials, I tried to convince myself that it was all over - but I still held on to a shred of hope.

Feeling terrible I drove the two very long hours back to my horse. I trained that night with the hope that I had a chance to ride at the Games. On finishing riding that night, I returned home to receive the much awaited call from the officials. I was informed that two horses had pulled out and I was to enter the venue as the 1st reserve!

We left the next morning for Horseley Park, and the Olympics, with horse in tow and arrived at the venue at 2 p.m. Spring Invader was transferred into a quarantine stable and I spent the next hour anxiously awaiting the good news. One hour before the trot up, I was told that I was in. The Games had finally begun!!!

Imtiaz's team members assembled of it's own accord.

The amazing part is the story behind my support team. For those who do not know the sport each riders requires a support team of at least six people. I entered Horsely Park with only my Coach but by the first day of competition my entire team had assembled of it's own accord. As soon as I was confirmed to ride it all began to fall into place. One of the Australian Elite riders who was on the reserve list but did not make the cut was kind enough to lend me his English groom. An Australian vet who was on site volunteered her services to me and proceeded to take over as Indian Team Vet. Two friends with an equestrian and veterinarian background joined the support team. And my wife took over as Manager. It is said that behind every successful man stands a woman, I had six!!!!

Day 1 - Dressage - 20th September 2000

The dressage test went well and we got a good score. In fact Spring Invader did the best dressage test he has ever done. He was the only horse that did not have the advantage of familiarizing himself with the arena as we had arrived at the very last minute. He handled the arena, crowd and clapping well. We placed 32nd out of 38 of the best riders in the world.

Day 2 - Endurance - 21st September 2000

Phase A - Roads and Tracks - 4km of trotting
Phase B - Steeplechase - flat gallop and 9 obstacles to be jumped
Phase C - Roads and Tracks - 8.8km of trotting
Phase D - Cross Country - 7.5km of undulating country with 29 obstacles, ditches, water, banks, etc. to be jumped

Spring Invader was exceptional on the Cross Country course as it was his and my first Four Star Event. He had the misfortune of losing his footing just before take off at the 4th jump and getting his leg caught at the fence. This dislodged me and I landed on my feet.

I was back in the saddle immediately and we sailed through the course only to pick up some more penalties on the 2nd water jump. He jumped too big on the 2nd element of the water jump and landed on the fence. The remaining obstacles he jumped in great style and we had no problems.

This was not only an extremely long course but very hilly and the heat played an important role. I was pleased with Spring Invader's level of fitness as he still had fuel in tank in the last leg home. At this level of competition fitness plays a very important role and the months of strenuous exercise, interval training and no days off finally paid off.

Day 3 - Show Jumping - 22nd September 2000

Spring Invader recovered from the Endurance test on the previous day to jump an excellent round. It was a tough course consisting of 13 obstacles including a triple combination and a water jump. We ended our round with two fences down.

Results

We finished the competition having placed 23rd out of 38 horses. I was the only Asian rider to complete the event (including the team event) and the first Indian rider to ever complete an Olympic Three-Day Event.

My Goal

I now know what it takes to compete at an international level and I hope this experience will hold me in good stead to compete at the World Championships in 2002 and then at the Olympic Games in 2004. I had a goal and I had an ambition. I knew where I wanted to go and what I had to achieve to accomplish this goal. I was prepared to work as hard as I could to achieve it. But my dream would not have transformed into reality if not for the undying support and encouragement of my wife, parents, family, friends, Sanawarians and sponsors. Thank you for believing in me.