New Delhi: India is set to face a major setback in equestrian eventing at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after one of its selected horses tested positive for piroplasmosis, leaving the country with only three rider-horse combinations instead of the four originally planned. The horse, Bolivar Gio Granno, belonging to Captain Aahan Kumar, returned a positive test for the tick-borne disease. With the horse unavailable and no eligible reserve combination in place, India is expected to enter the event with three combinations. The development has also triggered questions over the testing of reserve horses. Reserve rider Pradeep Kumar Jangam alleged that his horse was not tested because he was not informed about the requirement within the stipulated timeframe. The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), however, disputed the allegation.
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EFI ad-hoc committee member Lt. Col. Sandeep Dewan said the horses underwent testing on August 17 and that the federation was informed of the positive result on August 25. He added that EFI requested a retest but was told that the additional testing and mandatory quarantine requirements would make it impossible for the horse to reach the Asian Games in time. Jangam maintained that he could have arranged testing for his horse in Switzerland had he been informed earlier. EFI, meanwhile, said riders had submitted undertakings confirming the fitness of their horses. The absence of a fourth combination could have a significant competitive impact because eventing teams normally benefit from having an additional rider-horse combination whose score can provide greater tactical flexibility.
The controversy adds to existing scrutiny surrounding India’s equestrian selection process for the Asian Games, with questions earlier raised over selection criteria and transparency. The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4, with Indian equestrian athletes aiming to build on the country’s strong performances in the sport at recent editions.
