Mumbai’s Anush Agarwal has burst onto the international equestrian scene with back-to-back strong showings at the Belgium Dressage Events, riding Floriana and Flin to impressive scores. Her performances kick off a promising qualification push for the Asian Games.
Facing a field of battle-hardened pros, Agarwal made her bow on February 28 aboard the 8-year-old Floriana. Drawing 14th in the starting order, she rode with poise, earning 68.85% and fourth place—a testament to their harmony and precision in a high-stakes debut.
The very next day, March 1, she switched to 10-year-old Flin, starting fifth, and raised the bar with a commanding 70.3% individual score. Breaching 70% on debut speaks volumes about her composure and adaptability under the spotlight.
These competitions are cornerstones of Agarwal’s Asian Games roadmap, with additional qualifiers on the horizon. Reflecting on the experience, she shared, ‘Debuting internationally with Floriana in Belgium fills me with pride. The elite competition motivates precision in every element. Floriana and Flin were phenomenal, fully trusting me in the ring. This is a vital milestone toward Asian Games glory.’
Fellow Indian Shruti Vora, riding Magnanimous, scored 65.44% for 14th on February 28, as Agarwal edged ahead.
Agarwal’s assured entry into international dressage bodes well for the challenges ahead. Polishing her craft across Europe, she’s laser-focused on securing a spot to uphold India’s legacy from the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games golds. With Vora in the mix, India’s dressage hopes are riding high for 2026.