Odisha girl Rishita Samantaray achieved a rare sporting success for the State by winning one silver and one bronze medal in Open Hacks event of the Delhi Horse Show at Army Polo & Riding Centre in New Delhi on 31 and 22 March 2023. Delhi Horse Show was a national level event of Equestrian Federation of India (EFI).

Over 100 horse riders participated in the event. Twelve-year-old Rishita is the daughter of Colonel Asish Samantaray and Rohini Singh Deo and studies at KIIT International School in Bhubaneswar.

Rishta took horse-riding training from her father, who serves in Indian Army and is also an eminent rider and polo player. She used to see her father riding horses and got inspired for riding horses.

Rishita started her riding career when she was 10 years old. In order to learn more about the sport, she has been attending training camps at various places, including Nashik, Jaipur and Delhi.

Rishita aspires to become an eminent rider and win medals for Odisha and India. She also dreams to represent the country in Asian and Olympic Games.
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PHOTO: Rishita Samantaray poses with her bronze medal at the Delhi Horse Show in Delhi on 22 March 2023.