Randeep Hooda hopes to participate in National Equestrian League next month despite sustaining an injury
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 20, 2019)

No sooner did Randeep Hooda return to the bay after wrapping up the shoot of the Chris Hemsworth-starrer Dhaka in Thailand than he was back to his first love — horse riding. While the actor intends to participate in the National Equestrian League next month, Hooda sustained an ankle injury during one of the qualifying rounds that was held in Mumbai on Sunday.

"The Regional Equestrian League is happening in Mumbai after 33 years at the Mahalaxmi Race Course this year. The club was keen that I participate," says Hooda, adding that he was "a little out of practice". "As a rule, if you fall off the horse, you are disqualified. [Unfortunately], during the race, my horse stopped mid-way. In my bid to hold on to it, I had to exert a lot of pressure on my ankle, and ended up with a sprain."

However, his injury didn't deter him from participating in the second qualifying round that was held on Monday. Stating that he has been on painkillers, Hooda adds, "The next one is on February 25, so I still have a chance. For now, I am taking ample rest."

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 14, 2014)

Mirror had earlier reported (March 8, 2014) that Randeep Hooda would take part in the National Equestrian Championship, which flagged off in Delhi on March 11, in two categories, show jumping and dressage.

The three-day event concluded yesterday and the actor trotted home with five medals--two golds, one silver and two bronzes.

"All the medals came in the first two days, by the third day both my horse and me were exhausted even before we entered the arena. A few silly mistakes cost us a medal and we ended up in fourth place. Still, it's my best ever performance and I surprised myself as I hadn't had much time to practise in the last month-and-a-half because of my film commitment. I just wanted to participate. But six years of training paid off," says Randeep who is now gearing up for another attempt in the show jumping competition which starts on March 19

Interestingly the horse that won him the two golds and a silver, is well past its prime. "Johnny Walker came to me as a rescue case, completely hairless. In the last six years I was often told to sell it, but I held on and my confidence paid off. Johnny Walker is special," says an elated Hooda.

The other equine, Simply Supreme, previously owned by the Poonawallas, was one of the best race horses in the country and came to Randeep five years ago. "Fifteen-year-old Simply Supreme hasn't competed in a while, but still managed to land a bronze. It's a show jumper and I'm hoping we'll put up a good show later in the month too," says Randeep.

The last few days have been a blur, from waking up early for the competition and then dashing off to report for the Kick shoot.

"Sajid bhai (Nadiadwala) had set an 11 am call time and I didn't want to be late," says Randeep, who's been doing a lot of the "action stuff" with Salman Khan but not atop a horse.

"But the medals have given me a reason to show off to Salman and Sajid bhai," he smiles. 

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 8, 2014)

Randeep Hooda is in Delhi. And so are his five horses. They were loaded on a truck from the race course here on Thursday night and will arrive in the capital today. However, this has nothing to do with Sajid Nadiadwala’s directorial debut, Kick, for which the actor is currently shooting.

“I wouldn’t mind doing a film revolving around horses but I wouldn’t dilute my equity just sitting on one,” says Randeep, who intends to take part in the National Equestrian Championship which flags off on March 11, in two categories, show jumping and dressage.

 “With all the shoots and promotions, I haven't got much practice but I’m sure I won’t embarrass myself,” asserts Randeep who has bagged national honours in dressage, adding that the idea is not to just bag more medals though he’s hoping for some. “When my best horse, who has since retired from competition, was in peak form, I had no money to take part in the competition. Now that I have some money, I want to participate. There is no life without sport and no sport without competition,” says Randeep, who has been training with his horses for seven years.

The horses will be at the Army Polo and Riding Club which isn’t too far from Janpath where he is staying. Randeep plans to wake up by 4 am and train with his horses, followed by another session after pack-up. “I won’t be sleeping much for the next 10-12 days. I’ve told Sajid bhai that I’ll be taking part in the Nationals and he has no objections,” he says. The actor has been earning rave reviews for his performance in Highway. “So many women want to get abducted by me now,” he laughs. Will Kick be as big a kick? “It’s a different film in terms of genre and mounting with a superstar. The film revolves around Salman (Khan), Jacqueline (Fernadez) and me. It will undoubtedly get a bigger audience than Highway. Yes, I’m pretty kicked,” he signs off.