The verdict from Tokyo’s mandatory veterinary inspection was the turning point that could decide India’s fate in the dressage event. A 19‑year‑old horse, Dono Di Maggio, was cleared by the Asian Games organisers after the ad‑hoc committee in Germany declared him unfit.
In Aachen, the Equestrian Federation of India’s ad‑hoc panel had ruled the horse unfit, sparking controversy. The decision left Chheda scrambling for evidence to prove his mount’s health, and the International Olympic Committee had to step in.
Chheda’s reaction was swift. “My horse is perfectly fit and healthy as checked in the mandatory vet inspection by the organisers,” he told TOI from Tokyo. He added a nod to PT Usha for her support and said he’s eager to win a medal for India.
Meanwhile, a second dispute surfaced over the start order for Friday’s competition. Three riders—Gaurav Pundir, Chheda, and Shruti Vora—submitted an alternative sequence to the panel and India’s chef‑de‑mission, Sahdev Yadav. They argued the order should reflect objective merit, experience, recent results, and scores, proposing Jai Sud to go first despite his limited international exposure.
The clearance not only removes a major hurdle but also boosts India’s medal prospects in dressage. With Chheda’s experience from the 2023 Hangzhou Games gold‑medal team and Pundir’s silver from the 2025 Asian Continental Championships, the squad looks tighter than ever. The focus now shifts to the performance on Friday, where the new start order and a fit horse could tip the scales in India’s favour.