Hyderabad has the distinction of producing some talented
polo players and jockeys who have made a mark at the
international level. Siraj Attari and Shaukat Ali are
two names that come to mind immediately. The credit
for producing such top players goes to Andhra Pradesh
Riding Club (APRC) located in Masab Tank. Labelled
as one of the premium riding clubs in India, the Andhra
Pradesh Riding Club was established in 1932
by the Prince of Berar, son of the Nizam of Hyderabad.
The Prince of Berar christened it as Golconda
Polo Club, but it was later changed to AP Riding
Club in 1964.
 Shehzad
Abbas, the Secretary of the Riding Club and a well
known polo player and erstwhile trainer says the objective
of the Club is to promote and popularize riding, mounted
sports and polo and to train its members, especially
the student members, in the art of horsemenship. The
Club has produced many jockeys and trainers including
Mir Hyder Ali Khan, the ex-Chairman, Sports Authority
of AP and Shehzad himself.
 The
APRC is also one of the cheapest riding clubs in the
country. The APRC membership charges are Rs 4,500/-
for ladies, Rs 4,000/- for students and Rs 9,000/- for
regular members, inclusive of 50 free rides. After this,
it costs Rs 25/- per ride for women and students and
Rs 35/- for other members. Ladies and gents have to
just walk in and fill up a form. But what is the response
to the riding classes conducted by the AP Riding Club?
"The response has been quite good. The young guys
are showing tremendous enthusiasm to learn the art of
horse riding.  There
has been a lot of pressure on me to increase the membership
fee but I am not giving in," said Mr Abbas.
What are the essential things needed to master the art
of horse riding? "Practice makes perfect. So
one has to practice very hard to be a master in horse
riding," says Shehzad philosophically. "
If you want to become a good polo player, then you must
be a good rider. For this, you need to start riding
young. And it takes 6 to 7 years to become a good rider,"
adds Shehzad who has trained a number of polo aspirants.
Address:
Andhra Pradesh Riding Club
Masab Tank
Hyderabad -500 028
Phone: 339 3328
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