The second phase, Cross Country, requires the horse to have the courage, speed and endurance to gallop long distances and jump 30 fixed natural fences (ditches, water, banks) over unualting terrain. If this is not enough, on the third day, the horse needs to make a quick recovery. He needs to shift gears and show that he has the reserves, and is sound enough to tackle Show Jumping. A show jumping course consists of 12 obstacles, needing to be jumped accurately and obediently.

     The sport has attained widespread recognition in countries like the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and in Europe among others. Imtiaz Anees happens to be the first Indian who has made his mark in this sport on the international scene. Sitting across him in his warm and aesthetic home in South Mumbai, one could not help but marvel at the youngster's enthusiasm and passion for a sport, which is oft neglected in a country like India.
     Imtiaz Anees has represented India in many international events in the sport, notably in the 1998 Asian Games at Bangkok where he earned a bronze medal and in the 2000 Sydney Olympics where he was placed 23rd on a world level, making him the first Indian rider to compete in an Olympic event. More recently, he was also the first Indian and the only Asian to compete in a World Championship at the 2002 World Equestrian Games at Jerez in Spain, where he was placed 44th out of 82 horse and rider combinations. Apart from that, he has competed in India and won several Gold,

      Having been in the saddle since a tender age, Imtiaz won his first competition at the age of five at the Amateur Riders Club in erstwhile Bombay. With an eye on his academic future, his parents packed him off to Lawrence School, Sanawar, a boarding school located at the foothills of the Himalayan Ranges. He immersed himself in swimming and playing hockey but horses and riding always lurked at the back of his mind. The love for the equine found an outlet, during his holidays, in his association with Diana Wilson, and English Three-Day Eventer, who was stationed in Bombay for an extended period and took him under her wing. It was her guidance and encouragement that helped Imtiaz improve his riding skills and she has been a mentor since those formative days at the Amateur Riders Club.

After graduating in commerce in 1992, he enrolled for a degree in Horse Business Management at Marcus Oldham College in Australia, where he graduated with high distinction. In the process of furthering his equine knowledge, time was utilized fruitfully on the side by competing in Three-Day Events around Australia. The journey to success started when he beat Matt Ryan, an Olympic Gold Medallist in an event, and won bronze in the Asia-Pacific Championships in Melbourne. Subsequently, Imtiaz has trained with World Champion Bruce Davidson in the US and twice Olympian Barry Roycroft in Australia. Talking about the sport in India he feels that it has attracted a lot of attention and many a youngster is keen on taking it up. But the sport lacks awareness, financial support and international exposure that have proved to be impediments in the progress. He himself has come up the hard way and started at a grass-root level where he learnt riding, worked as a groom and eventually worked his way up to the status that he enjoys now.
Youngsters today have to get out of the country and train abroad at international exposure if they want to reach an

international standard. According to Imtiaz, that's precisely what he did and he used to spend his holidays and summers training abroad under various facilities and internships and scholarship programmes. India has an Equestrian Federation of India based in Delhi that holds competitions across the country mainly in north India. The federation has a team made from the army and has represented the country up to the Asian Games level. Imtiaz in fact has been the only civilian to have participated in these competitions and the only Indian to have gone on to compete at the Olympics.
Currently based in Atlanta, Imtiaz feels that the US is the breeding ground for this sport with top-class training and other facilities and it is a top sport there. He feels that India needs a lot of organization in terms of awareness, formal education and finance. An expensive sport, the equestrian discipline sees many a talent withering due to lack of infrastructure and the means to blossom. Age not being a criterion here, Imtiaz feels that with sponsorships and formal education, experts like him would be at hand to provide the cutting edge and professionalism that could help cut down barriers.

Enthusiasts usually start off as riders and depending on skill and talent can graduate to being a trainer as well. Imtiaz himself is a trainer and apart from his own horses, he trains horses for other riders too.. Having seen numerous ups and downs, he would like to share his experiences and help formulate a path, which can prove to be beneficial. Willing to offer guidance to all those interested, he is optimistic about arranging short term training programmes abroad that would help bring in skills of the highest order into the country.
Imtiaz's journey has not been without its fair share of its obstacles. But what shines through is the determination and the zest to carve a niche for himself. He has set an example for other equestrian enthusiasts