Superfast ‘Razia’& tallest ‘Rafi’ attraction at PAP

Superfast and very particular! ‘Razia’, a 22-year-old mare, is participating at the national-level tent pegging championship that is going to be held at the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) complex, Jalandhar, from February 15.

When Razia, an indigenous breed, galloped in from afar, she caught everyone’s attention because of her speed and strength at this age.

“She is probably the oldest horse to be participating at the championship,” DIG Inderbir Singh told The Tribune. According to expert riders at the PAP, a horse can participate up to 18 years of age, but the participation above 20 years is rare.

“Eh beginner nu baithan nai dindi’ (She is very particular because she doesn’t let an inexperienced rider sit on her), " Inspector Youngbir Singh said. Youngbir first met Razia in 2010 when she was just five. He said while other horses let beginners sit on them and they keep on walking, but Razia is different. “She knows that you are a beginner and she can sense the fear and anxiety of the rider,” he said.

“I won seven medals, including gold and silver, with Razia. Our association remained for six years and she still has the same energy that she had then,” he told The Tribune.

Rafi stands tall among all

Meet ‘Rafi’, standing tall at 68-inch height, the tallest among all. This five-year old has been brought from Jaipur. As many as 26 horses worth Rs 75 lakh have been brought by the PAP and Rafi is the costliest one.

Rafi’s height and built is an attraction for everyone. Other five-year-olds are ‘Kavita’ and ‘Naughty boy’. Now, the horses are being trained. As the DIG was feeding Rafi jaggery and then massaging him with love, he said, “It takes one or two years for a horse to get trained. Apart from this, we keep a check on their diet, massage, their overall health and wellbeing.”

There are other 3-year-old horses as well and right now deworming of these horses are being done. DSP Ram Pal, one of the experienced horse riders (has an experience of 35 years) at the PAP, said it was great to welcome the new horses.

“One must be responsible to know how to coordinate with the horse, and with love, affection and care, the bond can be developed with this intelligent animal,” he said.