How Anush combines his passion for equestrian sports with university life
24-year-old Anush Agarwalla successfully completed his Bachelor's degree in Economics at Paderborn University in March 2024. Immediately afterwards - following his participation in the Olympic Games in summer 2024 - he embarked on the Master's degree programme in Business Administration. Anush combines academic achievements with international success as a dressage rider and proves that studying and top-class sport are perfectly compatible.
Fresh from the Olympics into the Master's programme
We meet Anush for an interview just a few weeks after the Olympic Games. He seems relaxed, but he hasn't settled down yet. ‘The last few weeks have been pretty turbulent. I was invited by the President and Prime Minister of India and also visited my old school. But these were all experiences that I really wanted to take with me. It's a privilege to be able to experience things like this,’ he says proudly. His participation in the Olympic Games has left its mark on him - as evidenced by the Olympic rings that now adorn his forearm in the form of a tattoo.
From childhood fascination to the Olympic stage
He grew up in India and discovered his passion for equestrian sports at the age of five. However, the spark that was to have a decisive influence on his sporting career was ignited at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. ‘I was fascinated by dressage and knew immediately that I wanted to follow this path,’ he recalls. At the age of 17, he left India to train in Borchen near Paderborn under the renowned dressage rider Hubertus Schmidt. At the same time, he completed his schooling in India.
For Anush, it was always important to be successful academically as well as in sport. ‘My coach recommended the University of Paderborn to me. The university offered exactly the right subjects and the location was perfect for combining studying and training.’
Cultural hurdles and the path to university
The move to Germany was a spontaneous decision for Anush and brought with it linguistic and cultural challenges - ‘I couldn't speak any German at all at the beginning.’. He prepared for his studies with intensive language lessons, language apps and a preparatory college. As best he could: ‘The first few weeks at university were catastrophic. Although I thought I could speak German well, the reality was completely different.’
However, with perseverance and support, Anush found his way: ‘I faced many challenges at the beginning of my time in Paderborn, but at the end of the day, the difficulties have shaped me today. I am very grateful for how everything turned out.’
Sporting successes and Olympic highlights
Anush has celebrated great sporting successes in recent years. In 2023, he won team gold and individual bronze at the Asian Games in China - the first dressage medals for India in over 40 years. ‘In India, riding is seen more as a hobby than a competitive sport. But our success has really changed people's mindsets,’ he explains proudly.
His greatest success to date was taking part in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. ‘It wasn't easy to get there, especially because my horse Sir Caramello was injured at times.’ But with patience and hard work, he managed to qualify. ‘You don't often experience something like the Olympics in your life. It was something very special and will stay with me forever.’ He was particularly impressed by the atmosphere in the Olympic Village. ‘It was incredible to meet top athletes like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. I was like a fanboy - I wanted to see everything and preferably not sleep at all.’
The balance between studying and top-class sport
The combination of studying and daily training requires a lot of discipline. ‘I'm at the stables for up to nine hours every day except Sundays,’ reports Anush. Nevertheless, he attaches great importance to his studies: ‘Sometimes I have to adapt my training to university, but working with the team at the stables makes that possible.’
Anush looks back positively on his time at Paderborn University: ‘It wasn't easy coming to a foreign country so young and alone, but the experiences have shaped me.’ Thanks to the support of the university's sports support programme, he was able to schedule his exams flexibly and take part in important tournaments at the same time. ‘The university was always by my side. That helped me enormously and kept my back free.’
Despite the double burden of studying and competitive sport, Anush completed his bachelor's degree with an average grade of 1.7 - impressive proof of his ambition and discipline.
A look into the future
Despite his successes, Anush remains down-to-earth: ‘I don't necessarily see myself as a role model yet, I'm still too young for that. But I want to develop equestrian sport in India and encourage young people.’
In the coming years, he plans to continue taking part in major tournaments such as the Asian Games, World Championships and the next Olympic Games. At the same time, he wants to successfully complete his Master's degree at Paderborn University.
Advice for other students
Anush's journey shows that you can be successful even under great pressure - with the right support and a clear vision. He concludes by giving other students some valuable advice: ‘It's important to always believe in yourself and persevere, even when the going gets tough. Discipline and perseverance are the key to success - whether in your studies or in sport.’
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