Every Monday before dawn, while his classmates at Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) remained asleep, Arjan Singh Nagra was already at the stables in Delhi. His rigorous schedule included riding until 8 AM, followed by a commute to Sonipat for his law classes. After attending Tuesday’s lectures, he returned to Delhi, ready to ride again at 4 AM on Wednesday. Thursday provided a brief respite before he resumed his training routine over the weekend. This demanding schedule persisted for 6-7 months, all while managing his Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (BCom LL.B.) degree.
“I won’t sugarcoat it—it’s been incredibly challenging,” admitted Nagra, a 20-year-old third-year JGLS student, in an interview with Bar and Bench. Despite the challenges, he expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from his faculty and the law school administration.
Nagra has made history as the youngest Indian Eventing athlete selected for the national team at the Asian Games. The Equestrian Federation of India selected him for the four-member eventing squad competing in the 20th Asian Games, to be held at Tokyo’s JRA Equestrian Park. Eventing is a demanding equestrian sport that tests both horse and rider across three distinct phases: Dressage, Cross-Country, and Show Jumping. Participants must first showcase precision in Dressage, followed by the endurance and partnership demanded by Cross-Country, and finally, the agility required for Jumping.
Qualifying for the national team required strong performances at two out of three international events. Nagra’s journey began successfully in Orpe-le-Grand, Belgium. However, his second attempt at Caltignaga, Italy, presented challenges; despite leading after Dressage and Cross-Country, he faltered in the Jumping phase. This left his fate hanging on the final qualifier in Kaposvár, Hungary.
“It was a do-or-die situation,” he recalled. “I needed to know if the past six months of intense training had paid off.” Ultimately, Nagra clinched first place, securing his spot on the team.
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Despite his youth and relative inexperience, Nagra’s dedication has been unwavering. “Eventing rewards time in the saddle more than anything else,” he explained, noting the physical and mental toll of his dual commitments. “It’s exhausting—studying through the night and riding the next day. It disrupts the typical college experience, as weekends are spent training and competing rather than socializing with friends.”
In Tokyo, Nagra will compete on Cooley Goodwood, alongside a team featuring Ashish Limaye, Captain Ahaan Kumar of the 61st Cavalry, and Olympian Fouaad Mirza. “Our team is a blend of experience and youthful energy,” Nagra noted, expressing confidence in their prospects. “Our goal is clear: to win. We appreciate everyone’s support and prayers.”
Equestrian sport is a family tradition for Nagra. His father, Kirat Singh Nagra, a senior partner at DSK Legal, previously competed in Show Jumping at the Asian Games and has been his coach since childhood. Nagra’s younger brother is also a rider. “My father has always balanced his professional and personal life, and I aspire to follow in his footsteps—pursuing both law and sports,” Nagra said.
Looking ahead, he anticipates that his legal career will demand more of his focus. “For now, I’m balancing law school with my equestrian pursuits, but at some point, my legal career will take precedence,” he acknowledged. Yet, his ambition remains undeterred. “If someone had told you about a 20-year-old who moved to Europe with a new horse to qualify for the Asian Games within three months, you might have laughed. But I dared to dream big, and now we’re here.”
