THE INDIA OF MARWARI AND KATHIAWARI

BEAUTIFUL SPECIMENS AT RISK OF EXTINCTION

BY GIORGIA FERRERO

Looking for realities dedicated to equestrian tourism, we “came across” Vimal Sharma, an Indian from Sikar, Rajasthan, who not only has a stable, a breeding farm and a company dedicated to equestrian tourism, but who is also one of the promoters of the “Marwari project ”, dedicated to avoiding the disappearance of this breed of equidae“ with curved ears inside ”.

picture by Vimal Sharma

First of all, tell us something about Marwari Horses, a not known breed in Italy and probably in Europe in General. Well, let me tell you about both Marwari and Kathiawari Horses. Both are the indigenous breed of horses originating in the western arid regions of India.

Marwari horses are named after the region of Marwar in the western Indian province of Rajasthan. Kathiawari Horses are believed to have originated in the Kathiawar region of western Indian province of Gujarat, India. Both are horses of the desert and arid landscape and share similarities like the inward curved ears, for which they are also sometimes referred to as “Exotic Horses”. Both are known for their ability to adapt to the hostile desert environment. A thin skin, ability to survive in the limited rations and water, a very alert disposition, light weight are all hallmarks of the breed. Both have been used as means of communication across vast plains and dunes of the area in history. Both share a rich history as cavalry horses of the kings and kingdoms of the bygone days. There are some inspiring real life stories in the region that celebrate the valor of these horses. And both command an important cultural and religious significance in the lives of the people of the area.

Which kind of activities do you do with this particular horse? My project for these horses is aimed at development and promotion of them in the modern day equestrian sport, so that the revival of the breed can happen in today’s world. As such, at my stables, we do:

1. Planned training of horses for sports like Show Jumping, Tent Pegging, Polo and Endurance. We will soon be starting with dressage. 2. We participate in competitive horse shows with them 3. We conduct training and development activities for riders from around the area and villages to ride these horses 4. We do horse trails and safaris with these horses for our guests. While trails run from few hours to overnight, horse safaris are multiple days cross country rides through various terrains and locations.

How is the horse riding world in India? Is it a National Sport, or only a few people? Horse riding is very much a national sport. The Equestrian federation of India is the controlling and coordination body for equestrian sport in India and is affiliated to the FEI. Infact India has had participation in the past in Olympic Games and regular participant at the Asian Games. The largest section of equestrians in India are from the Army and Police units spread across the country. In fact, the Indian Army has the world’s only surviving cavalry regiment, which is called the 61st Cavalry and based out of New Delhi and Jaipur. After that, almost all major metro cities of India have Horse Riding Clubs and regular hold club competitions. So, yes, it is a well followed sport in India. That said, a large section of India also remains behind in this discipline because they are not from the cities, do not have access to infrastructure and funding and cannot afford expensive horses to keep and then travel hundreds of kilometers to cities to take part in competitions. Along with that, the Indigenous breeds like Marwari and Kathiawari horses have also lost significance because they do not fit the trend, do not have access to good trainers and platforms to showcase their talent. So you see, there is this big divide that exists in India when it comes to Equestrian Sport. Our organization ISHEL (Indigenous Sport Horse Equestrian League) has been recently established and aims to work on focused and targeted development of indigenous horses of India in Equestrian Sport.

Vimal... Discribe something about you and your organization? Well, I am a businessman in profession, and a horseman by emotions ...

Currently I run an Information Technology Consulting and Software Business based out of India and South Africa. I also have my stud farm near Jaipur by the name of “Marwari Stud & Stables” and we breed Marwari Horses here for Sport. Alongside, I also run my adventure travel company called “KrossTerrain Adventures”, which offers adventure tourism in India and South Africa to the clients. We also are accredited travel provider member of the “Adventure Travel Operators Association of India”. Additionally, there is an agro resources company that I have started recently. The motto of the adventure travel and agro resources company is primarily to fund our project for the Indigenous Horses as I have mentioned above. Anyone in the horse scene will agree that horses cost money ... I have recently founded the Indigenous Sport Horse Equestrian League (ISHEL) in India with the aim of developing and establishing the Indigenous Horse Breeds of India in modern day Equestrian Sport.

And how is the landscape you and your horses live in? Answer – We are based out of Sikar, Rajasthan. We are about a 2 hours’ drive from Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. Located in the west of India, Rajasthan is the largest province of the Republic of India by land area and covers 10.4% of India, an area of 342,239 square kilometers (132,139 sq. mi). Jaipur is the capital city of the state.

Our location in in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. Shekhawati is in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan and is most famous for its extraordinary painted havelis (traditional, ornately decorated residences which enclose one or more courtyards), highlighted with dazzling murals. Part of the region’s appeal and mystique is due to these works of art being found in tiny towns, connected to each other by single-track roads that run through lonely, arid countryside. The region is often referred to as the Entrance to Thar. The ground for our horses is mostly firm and loose sandy tracts.

Around our stud, you can find farmlands, villages, forts and havelis, dams, riverbeds, salt pans, marshlands and sand dunes. There is a close interaction with local village people. Local wildlife you may encounter on the ride includes Chinkara Gazelles, Desert Fox, Nilgai (largest Indian antelope) and plenty of Birdlife.

Is it possible to book for a holiday with your horses from Italy? Oh Yes! We offer horse safaris to our guests through our travel operations “KrossTerrain Adventures”. We have had guests from countries including England, Germany, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand to name some. We will be very happy to hosts our guests from Italy as well � Following are some of the types of holidays we have one offer:

1. Day / Overnight Horse Trails 2. Horse Safaris over multiple days where we camp in the desert and farms safari style, or in heritage properties along the route. We ride for close to 30 KMs per day one our Marwari and Kathiawari horses exploring the area, it’s people, culture and wild and bird life. Such safaris are mostly 5 or 6 nights, and a once in a lifetime experience. Non riding guests can join the same safari one Motorbykes or Vehicles. For those fearing camping, let me tell you that the tents are specious canvas tents with beds, blankets, pillows and facilities include flush toilets. The camp kitchen is at service, preparing freshly cooked meal every night. We also offer camping tents for the more adventurous. Guests can also bring their own tents.

All income we generate from our tourist offerings is used to fund the project for our Indigenous Horses at the core.

For further information follow FB / Indigenous-Sporthorse-Equestrian-League-ISHEL

picture by Vimal Sharma

Marwari in Europe... that’s where they are !!

Are Are there any Marwari horses in Europe? Sure someone in Spain! One of the main importers is certainly Mario Calcagno, who, fascinated by this desert horse, did everything to bring some specimens to the old continent.

“A good friend from Mumbai, whom I knew for work reasons, showed me one of his magnificent horses in 2005, and I immediately had the idea of ​bringing them with me to Spain. Then I began to travel to Rajasthán, where I met several breeders, and to the land of Marwar, in the Thar desert area. Unfortunately, despite having some specimens in the stables of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, and even if the All India Marwari Horse Society did everything to help me, due to the laws of the Indian government, which prevented the export of indigenous horses, it was not possible to bring my project ended at that moment ”.

When everything seemed to be lost, Mario receives an email from Francesca Kelly (Marwari Bloodlines - USA), who had managed to bring some horses to the States and then proposed to take them to Spain. So it was and in September 2009 Nazzarullah (stallion) and two young mares, Chamunda and Mirabai arrived. More recently, Dilraj, one of the first stallions who traveled from India to American and from which the majority of the offspring of Marwari horses in Europe come.

“ The impossibility of bringing other animals from India - continues Calcagno - naturally limited the possibility of promoting this breed as it would be appropriate, even if they have already been presented in several Horse Shows, Girona 2010, Madrid Horse Week 2012 and finally in the Diamond Jubilee Pageant in Windsor Castle in 2012. In recent years, with the few specimens born from our small group, we have managed to get these horses to France (Marwari France) and recently to Germany (Marwari Horse Germany). In total today there are no more than fifteen Marwari horses in all of Europe ”.

The low number of horses outside India makes it difficult to present them in different equestrian disciplines; admirers hope that, albeit gradually, the Indian government can allow its export.

“ The work that Maria Katsamanis is remarkable.(NJ- USA). She is a well-known Horse Trainer and with her stallion Bahadosha (“Baba”) for years has shown that, a breed of warm blood like the Marwari Horse, can become a suitable horse for any discipline, but above all an ideal companion and faithful for life “.