Brothers Kaevaan, Zahan making the most of Equestrian opportunities despite pandemic

Pranay Khare (extreme left), Kaevaan Setalvad, Col Jaiveer and Zahan Setalvad (extreme right) during the prize distribution of the 150 cm Grand Prix at the National Equestrian Championship (NEC) in Delhi last month.

Kaevaan Setalvad wants the COVID-19 pandemic to end soon so that he can participate in showjumping events and get his horse and himself some on-ground training. Kaevaan, 24, and younger brother Zahan, 22, representing Mumbai and Amateur Riders Club (ARC), bagged gold and silver medals respectively in the annual 150 cm Grand Prix at the National Equestrian Championship (NEC) held in Delhi last month. Now, the Setalvad brothers want to train hard and target the 2022 Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou [September 10 to 25, 2022].

Kaevaan felt the global pandemic has affected him a lot but hopes to give his best and aim to enter the final as they did during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta."Right now, we don't know our plans as far participating in any specific events are concerned because of the restrictions. We are going to have shows at the ARC and that will help us get ready. My target is to qualify for the Asian Games as they are relatively at a higher level. The last time we got to the finals, but this time, I am not sure. I don't know if we can win a medal, but hopefully, we aim to at least finish in the Top 10 or Top 15," Kaevaan, who is a last year student at Government Law College in Mumbai, told mid-day.com.

Winner of the showjumping event Kaevaan Setalvad astride Cherokee at the 150 cm Grand Prix of the National Equestrian Championship (NEC) in Delhi last month.

Kaevaan and Zahan are two-time national showjumping champions, having won in 2016 and 2021 and 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Kaevaan felt the lockdown was not just harsh on their horses, but for them too as they lost a lot of muscle and fitness. "The lockdown was the time when we couldn't come out and ride and so did the horses, resulting in them losing a lot of muscle and fitness and so did we. People don't realise that riders also have to maintain a certain fitness level. And to be riding fit, you need to be riding. Though we tried to workout at home, there is no substitute for riding," remarked Kaevaan.

Meanwhile, Zahan said: "Our training is the same routine we follow for most tournaments. The routine involves flatwork, gymnastic exercises, dressage work and jumping different courses at different heights."

Zahan Setalvad, who finished 2nd, astride Quintus in action at the 150 cm Grand Prix at the National Equestrian Championship (NEC) in Delhi last month.

Later, Kaevan explained how important it is for the horses to get some change of atmosphere. "Because of the lockdown, there were no shows, so horses didn't have a chance to see anything else which is the most important thing for them and their experience. If they don't go somewhere and see something, then they get used to the same place. So, when you take them for a big show, and then they don't like the surroundings, they back off and stop. So COVID-19 wasn't ideal for us or the horses. As things open up, we hope to do more and more," said Kaevaan, who admires German showjumping champion Marcus Ehning.