Mysuru: Young equestrian enthusiasts from prominent schools in Mysuru recently completed a 26-kilometre horseback heritage ride, combining practical riding training with an experience of the city’s historic architecture.
The ride took the students from their training campus to the iconic Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel and back, giving them an opportunity to develop confidence while riding through Mysuru’s busy streets.
Students take horsemanship to city roads
The ride was organised by M A Lakshmikanth Raj Urs and Dr Mekhala Kagli, founders of Chamundi Horses, an equestrian initiative and stable in Mysuru.
Designed as an outride-training exercise, the programme gave students practical experience in navigating city traffic while applying the road-safety skills and horsemanship developed during their regular training.
The route passed through busy roads and several important landmarks before reaching Lalitha Mahal Palace, an early-20th-century royal residence and heritage property.
Young riders complete the journey safely
Despite the challenges posed by increasing traffic in Mysuru, all participants completed the ride safely and efficiently.
The participating equestrians were aged between eight and 15 years, reflecting the growing interest among young students in equestrian sports and experiential learning.
Participants included L Kshaminaam Urs, 15, of Sadvidya High School; Advika Sangamesh, 15, of St Joseph’s; Loukya Sangamesh, 10, of Rashtrotthana Vidya Kendra; and Haren Cariappa Kodandera, 8, Pranav Krishna Mohan, 8, and Trishika Mohan, 11, all from NPS International.
Training builds confidence beyond the stable
The heritage ride offered the young riders more than a recreational outing. By taking their horses onto city roads, they gained first-hand experience in managing real-world riding conditions and responding to traffic.
Such structured training programmes help young equestrians build skill, confidence, discipline and road awareness, while experiences like the heritage ride allow them to connect their sporting interests with Mysuru’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.
