It’s well-known {that a} canine is man’s finest buddy however within the case of equestrian Ashish Limaye, his two horses — Willy be Dun and Dinard Peguignon — make great companions.

Limaye, 30, has certified for the upcoming Asian Games 2022 with the assistance of his two teammates-cum-friends, and shall be flying to Hangzhou, China to take part within the equestrian occasion the place he shall be competing at each particular person in addition to crew degree within the eventing self-discipline.

He achieved a uncommon feat to satisfy the Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) for a person entry on two horses — Willy, aged 11 and Dinard, 10.

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The bond and understanding between the trio have been a serious purpose for Limaye’s entry into the marquee occasion. “I’m really close to them. There’s been a lot of time where I’ve just spent with only two of them,” Limaye informed Sportstar in an interplay.

The equestrian opined that fixed travelling and companionship helped Willy and Dinard bond higher which resulted within the horses turning into finest mates.

The first horse journey

For Limaye, the love for horses started early in his childhood when he used to see them on the Tongawala’s stand, which was near his home in Pune.

“I used to look at the horses and would tell my parents that I want to ride, let’s go to this place. Earlier they always said no it’s not possible, you are too young for this,” Limaye stated.

It was not till one summer time the place Limaye lastly satisfied his mother and father to let him journey a horse and there was no going again from there.

He quickly started coaching below retired Col. G.M. Khan, who gained a gold medal at 1982 Asian Games in equestrian.

Limaye took a break from the game to pursue a profession in engineering. However, his love for horses couldn’t maintain him again as he as soon as once more started horse using.

He opened a small membership, started coaching kids on the Embassy International Riding School, earlier than being despatched to Germany for coaching. The a few years of being round with the horses throughout and after the coaching periods have helped Limaye develop a particular bond with them and perceive their wants.

“Even if they can’t speak to you, there are a lot of things they do or you read their eyes as well,” Limaye stated.

“For example with Will, if he wants to get pampered, he will come and start scratching you and won’t stop until you pamper him.”

This has additionally helped him in making day-to-day plans in keeping with their moods and the way the horses are feeling.

“Depending on the day, sometimes they feel low, so you back off on it and the next day you ask for a little bit more. It depends day to day on how they are feeling and how you are feeling,” he defined.

With the Asiads quick approaching, Limaye is but to determine which of the 2 he shall be taking with him to Hangzhou.

According to him, Dinard is finest in Dressage — the primary occasion on day 1 —, a should to get an early lead within the three-day occasion. Willy, then again, is constant however not so good as his teammate on the primary day.

“I want to wait till the last minute to pick and see which one is doing better,” he stated.