To reach these heights, Miraya has dedicated herself to a rigorous training regimen, balancing her academic commitments with intense practice sessions. Training six days a week at the Chennai Equitation Centre under the guidance of coaches Isabelle Hasleder and Vikas Pandey, she has honed her skills in both dressage and show jumping. Despite the challenges of managing her time between school, training, and physical conditioning, she remains unwavering in her pursuit of success.
Miraya’s relentless work ethic has already earned her numerous accolades. She has been competing since 2021, but her journey with horses began much earlier—when she was just four years old. Her dedication has paid off handsomely. In the 2023 Junior Nationals, she secured a team gold, an individual silver, and a fourth-place finish in dressage, while also participating in the Children-1 category of show jumping. Her achievements have propelled her up the Asian rankings, marking her as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.
Her coach, Isabelle Hasleder, believes that Miraya’s resilience sets her apart. “One of the biggest strengths Miraya has is that she doesn’t give up. Even if she falls down, she will be up in the next few seconds and saying, ‘I will get back on the horse.’” This unyielding determination is what fuels her success and keeps her pushing forward.
However, Miraya’s path is not without obstacles. Beyond the physical and technical demands of the sport, she faces the significant challenge of securing sponsorships. Equestrianism is not a mainstream sport in India, and funding opportunities remain limited. But despite these hurdles, Miraya remains steadfast in her ambitions.
With her impressive list of achievements and an indomitable spirit, Miraya Dadabhoy is well on her way to becoming a formidable force in equestrian sports. Her next big leap? Earning a spot—and a medal—at the Asian Games. Until then, she continues to train tirelessly, determined to make the most of her talent and passion for the sport.
(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)
