Stay in the moment: Former equestrian Imtiaz Anees’ advice to Fouaad Mirza at Tokyo Olympics
The Hindu
Fouaad became the first equestrian rider from India to qualify for the Olympics since Imtiaz’s appearance in the 2000 Sydney Games
In the first few pages of his recently released autobiography, Riding Free (Harper Collins), Imtiaz Anees recalls this quote he read at the entrance of the regimental quarters of the 61st Cavalry Regiment in New Delhi: ‘If paradise exists, it’s on horseback that it lies.’ Imtiaz, a former Olympic equestrian rider, believes in this hyperbole. In his case, it would have been a surprise only if he did not take to horse riding; for it was a family hobby. His maternal grandfather, Mohamed Kajiji, was the president of the Amateur Riders’ Club. His mother, he writes, was a good rider. His father, who hailed from a family of nawabs, as well. So, Imtiaz took to the activity when he was just four. For Imtiaz, this pastime became a passion. He pursued it. And, at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, he became only the second Indian equestrian to compete at the Olympics.More Related News