DGAR Trophy equestrian from Jan 15
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 11 2012:
The 9th Director General Assam Rifles State Equestrian Championship and 3rd IGAR (S) Junior Equestrian Championship will be organised jointly by Manipur Equestrian Association (MEA) and Inspector General Assam Rifles (South) from January 15 to 18 at Polo Ground, Imphal.
The DGAR Cup State Equestrian Championship is a radiant and eloquent testimony of the Assam Rifles' enthusiastic zeal and endeavour to encourage and promote polo and equestrian in the state of Manipur, said a PRO IGAR (S) release.
The championship aims at encouraging the popular sport as also garner budding talent in a sport which is said to have originated in ancient Manipur around 3100 BC, when it was played as "Sagol Kangjei", the release highlighted.
The DGAR Cup was instituted in 2003 and over the years it has turned into an annual mega event keenly contested by equestrian enthusiasts from all across Manipur.
In all 12 clubs from all over Manipur with a number of riders in junior, senior and girls categories will be participating in the championship this year, being conducted at Manipur Polo Ground, one of the oldest polo grounds in India, it said.
The championship will include events like Tent Pegging and Show Jumping.
The championship not only aims at promoting the game but it also endeavors to preserve the rare breed of Manipuri ponies which have been associated with various forms of equestrian sports in the state since time immemorial.