Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 8: Nineteen-year-old equestrian Niharika Singhania has secured a place in India's show jumping squad for the 2026 Asian Games, emerging as the only woman selected in the discipline after a series of impressive performances on the international circuit.

The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) recently confirmed Niharika's qualification after she secured Merit 4 alongside her horse First to Cash Out, earning a berth for the Aichi-Nagoya Games in Japan.

The daughter of businessman Gautam Singhania and Nawaz Modi Singhania, Niharika has steadily built an impressive international resume, including winning gold at the Azelhof CSI Lier competition in Belgium in April 2025.

Her journey to qualification, however, was far from straightforward. Owing to international transport regulations, horses based in India cannot be shipped directly to Japan. Indian riders were therefore required to base their horses in Europe and compete in qualifying events between November 2025 and June 2026.

Describing the qualification process as challenging, Niharika said the constantly evolving selection criteria added to the pressure.

A major setback came when her primary horse, Iron Lady, fell ill just weeks before the qualification deadline. Fortunately, First to Cash Out, a horse initially intended for future competitions, adapted quickly and helped her secure the Asian Games berth.

Niharika's passion for equestrian sport began unexpectedly at the age of 12 during a school camp in Pune, where she developed an instant love for horses. She later trained under Asian Games rider Yashaan Khambatta, who is now also her teammate in the national squad.

Two years ago, she moved to Europe to train under Belgian rider Vincent Lambrecht, where she currently manages six of her eight horses, with the remaining two based in Mumbai.

Speaking about her bond with the animals, Niharika said she spends considerable time with them outside training, believing that trust and familiarity are essential to success in show jumping.

She also balanced her demanding training schedule with completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, crediting her parents for encouraging her to continue riding alongside her studies.

With qualification secured, Niharika is now focusing on ensuring her horses remain in peak condition for the Asian Games in September 2026.

Looking ahead, she said she hopes to continue progressing in the sport and explore how far she can go on the international stage.