Equestrian Conversation:
Olympic Equestrian Mr. Imtiaz Anees in Conversation with MSB Students
All our dreams come true if we dare to pursue them. An insightful and inspirational session was held by Mr. Imtiaz Anees (Sydney Olympics 200 fame) for the students of MSB Educational Institute on Saturday 18th September 2021 at MSB Educational Institute, Pune. Mr. Imtiaz Anees is the first civilian equestrian to represent India in the Asian Games and the Olympics at the three-day event in Sydney in the year 2000. He addressed the students and shared the story of his journey to success. It literally meant hearing from the horse’s mouth, the tale of his challenges and accomplishments. The enthusiastic equestrian shared the beauty of his sport, the importance of establishing a bond with the animal who is the sporting partner in all the hurdles and feats encountered. He spoke about the different horses he rode right from the beginning of his career. Each horse has a special place in his heart and an unforgettable story to connect with.
Following your passion with discipline and dedication and encompassing the arduous tasks with courage and a positive attitude were a few life lessons shared by the speaker. He guided the students to be well prepared and adhere to a strict regime to build confidence to face all challenges. There is no job which is big or small. To train oneself to combat the extremities and never give up was conveyed with instances from real-life experiences. Interacting with Mr. Anees, the students learned about the technicalities of the sport and were amazed to hear the anecdotes of his participation at national and international levels. Students were also introduced to his present endeavour ‘The Seahorse Academy’ established in his native place in Gujarat. He provides training to young riders right from the basics of bonding with the animal to training it for sporting activities. His accomplishments against all odds are extremely inspiring. Mr. Anees spoke about his book ‘Riding Free’ and encouraged the students to read it. In his book, he urges you to push yourself out of the comfort zone and go ahead without fearing the deterrents of time, space, and money.
The story of his journey brings out the truth of the proverb that ‘Failures are the stepping stones to Success’. Resilience and perseverance will sail you through the storms and enable you to reach your desired destination.
