Riding Tales

My earliest memories of Riding are from the time when my father was posted to the DSSC as a student officer in 1976. We were staying in old circle quarters, overlooking the stables. My father, a keen rider would take me down to the stables every morning on his scooter, and I would watch everyone ride. He would then let me feed the horse with jaggery and carrots and walk the horse back to the stables, a huge accomplishment for a five year old. In the evenings I would be the first kid to run to the corner of the lane and await the ponies that would come for the kids ride. I loved every minute of it and couldn’t wait to graduate to “Papa Ponies” as I called them then. 

My father was posted again to the DSSC in 1985, this time as an instructor and I was in the eighth grade now. I would get up early in the morning so that my dad never left me behind. On some occasions, the kids would come in the central transport, a small mini bus called the JSW. Over the months, I became quite proficient and would accompany my father on occasional hack rides, outside the stables. My dad and I would head out to the hills behind the circle quarters for small rides and it was such a pleasure to ride with my old man. He not only taught me riding, but also told me about nature, the ecological balance, deforestation etc that I saw with my own eyes. Each ride was a lesson in something new. We must have gone over every hill in the vicinity. One day my father and I were riding in side the school, he on a horse named Babar. Suddenly, the horse bucked and my father somersaulted through the air and was on the ground having landed on his back. Since it was quite normal to see some one or the other falling off, not much was made out of it. Some of the officers helped him get back on his feet. My father, who was by now in extreme pain, could barely manage to walk. He made it to the car and drove home. My mother, a service doctor, took one look at him and told him to lie down in bed and gave him some pain killers. By about 10 am, the pain was unbearable and the ambulance took him to the MH. The wet film of the X-ray indicated that he had a compression fracture in the lumber region. He was immediately evacuated to Bangalore by a chopper and spent almost four months in the hospital. After this incident, my own exuberance to ride was restricted. After pestering my mother for days, she finally gave in and I managed to get my way. I took part in my first Hunt in 1985 and I remember that day so clearly, not for the riding but for the fact that I had my first taste of Bacon that morning. My Brahmin/ Sikh background had made sure I had been kept away from this juicy and succulent piece of meat. 

That year I also took part in the Ooty races, which was the main event for the all the riders at the DSSC. Imagine being part of a horse race with all the fanfare and excitement that accompanies such an event. I rode with the likes of Ajay Duggal, a school mate, who later went on to represent India for many years in show jumping. The Mounted Gymkhana that year saw me take part in a relay race, where I would receive the baton from a lady rider and then go over three obstacles before passing it to an officer, who would complete the course. This is the first time that I won anything in life. It was a huge silver plated beer mug, which is still displayed very proudly on the rack of my study. 

Last year, when I got back to Wellington as a student officer, all the memories of riding came rushing back. I was one of the first few to rush to the stables, to rekindle childhood bonds. I was keen to get on with riding. However, after a few days, I had a fall on the cricket field and displaced my shoulder bone. I was advised by all and sundry to stay away from riding. I took their advice and stopped riding. During the mid term having recovered to a great extent, I once again took up my passion and now love to start the day in this way.

I have tried to initiate my little girl to the joys of riding but she seems to have other plans. I see her as young Sarah Brown in the movie “International Velvet”, a movie that I grew up with. Horses have been the most memorable part of my childhood. I hope some day; I can get back to these very hills and valleys and have my daughter ride alongside.