Divyakriti Singh has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award for excellence in equestrian sports. The 23-year-old dressage rider earned the accolade after a standout 2022 season competing on the global stage.
Who is Divyakriti Singh?
Hailing from Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan, Divyakriti Singh has rapidly risen as one of India’s brightest talents in the world of equestrianism. She attended Mayo College Girls School in Ajmer before pursuing an undergraduate degree at Jesus and Mary College in Delhi.
Divyakriti Singh’s passion for horses and dressage began at a young age, supported by her enthusiastic parents who sold their family home to fund her early training and competition expenses. She later relocated to Germany to refine her skills under the guidance of expert coaches at the prestigious Hof Kasselman stable.
Landmark Achievements in 2022
Divyakriti Singh enjoyed a breakthrough 2022 season, cementing her status as India’s #1 dressage rider. Competing overseas against world-class opposition, she produced several outstanding displays.
Her standout achievement was winning the team dressage gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China alongside teammates Shruti Vohra and Akash Tamboli. This marked India’s first-ever dressage gold at the continental showpiece.
Divyakriti Singh also claimed individual silver and two bronze medals at the 2022 International Dressage Competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Her exceptional form saw her rise to No.1 nationally and No.14 globally in dressage as per International Equestrian Federation (FEI) rankings.
Arjuna Award Honors Equestrian Pioneer
In recognition of her history-making 2022 success, Divyakriti was presented with the Arjuna Award by President Droupadi Murmu at an August 2022 investiture ceremony in New Delhi.
She becomes the first Indian woman and only the second Indian ever to receive the Arjuna Award for excellence in equestrian sport. The accolade cements her status as a pioneer for the sport in her homeland.
“This is a proud moment for equestrian sports and our horses to gain this recognition,” said an emotional Divyakriti Singh at the awards ceremony. “My gratitude to my family and horses for their immense support on this journey.”
What is Equestrian Dressage?
Along with show jumping and eventing, dressage is one of three equestrian disciplines contested at the Summer Olympic Games. Originating in ancient Greece, equestrian sports have featured on the Olympic program since 1912.
In dressage competition, riders perform predetermined movements and figures with their horses. They are marked by the harmony between horse and rider, precision, and technical difficulty.
Divyakriti Singh specializes specifically in the dressage discipline, having honed her skills under leading European coaches. After her history-making 2022 success on the global stage, the rising Indian star seems poised for more equestrian glory.