Date:18/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/18/stories/2007121860971700.htm

Sport - Equestrian

Day to remember for Ghatge

Sports Reporter

— Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

ON TARGET: Ramesh Rao Ghatge came up with a superb show to take the tent-pegging honours.

CHENNAI: For the last 15 years, Ramesh Rao Ghatge has participated in numerous events and won quite a few medals.

But for the constable from Karnataka Mounted Police in Mysore, the tent-pegging open individual competition of the South India equestrian championship at the Mohite Stadium here on Monday, will remain special.

First gold

The 38-year-old emerged triumphant for the first time in his career to make it a memorable occasion.

“I have won a bronze and a silver earlier. But this is my first gold. I credit this win to our Commandant S.G. Maribashetty who provided me the support and guidance,” said Ghatge.

Riding on Accumulations, Ghatge in all his three attempts, took six full points, taking the peg wonderfully well thanks to good acceleration and balance.

Better timing

At the end of three rounds, S.Y. Kumar (Tasrim) and Mallikarjuna Swamy (Some More) were tied on 18 points with Rao. However, Rao was adjudged the winner based on a better timing (19.32sec).

Heavy winds and consistent drizzle forced the organisers to reschedule a few events.

The results:

Tent-pegging (individual) (SIEC): 1. Ramesh Rao Ghatge (KMP) on Accumulations, 18 points, 19.32s, 2. Maj. S. Y. Kumar (NDA) on Tasrim, 18 pts, 21.36s, 3. Mallikarjuna Swamy (KMP) on Some More, 18 pts, 22.24s, 4. Dafedar A. Sawant (NDA) on Moonraker, 16 pts, 21.5s.

Intermediate show jumping Grade 6-bar (NEC): 1. Maj. N.S. Sandhu (61st Cavalry) on Raffian, 2. Dafedar Boom Singh (61st Cavalry) on Mastana, 3. Hav. Kuldip (ASC Centre and College, Bangalore) Haifa, 4. Nb Ris Malchand Bishnoi (RTC S&) on Top Shot.