Nagaland’s equestrian athlete Kekhriesilie Rio achieved a landmark victory by clinching the Grand Prix at Haras de Liverdy, France, riding Presley OL. His triumph in the prestigious showjumping competition marks a significant milestone for Indian equestrian sports and highlights the growing international presence of athletes from the Northeast.

Vice-President of the Athletics Federation of India, Abu Metha, hailed the achievement as a remarkable moment in international showjumping. Sharing a visual of Rio’s ride, he described it as a powerful reminder that with the right opportunities, youth can scale the highest levels of excellence. He congratulated Rio and urged him to continue striving higher and making Nagaland proud.

Rio’s journey reflects years of dedication and consistent performances. He secured third place in the Individual category at the Junior National Equestrian Championship (Endurance) in Dibrugarh in 2014–15, before winning the Junior National Equestrian Championship (Show Jumping) in Kolkata in 2018 to become national champion. His international breakthrough came in 2019 with a second-place finish at the Asian Equestrian Federation Junior/Young Jumping Challenge, followed by a strong showing at the FEI World Show Jumping Challenge (Category A) in Bengaluru in 2020, where he was ranked No. 2 globally and No. 1 in Asia.

In 2021, Rio added another podium finish at the National Equestrian Championship (Senior) in Delhi in Puissance jumping, further cementing his reputation as one of India’s most promising equestrian talents. His latest victory in France not only brings pride to Nagaland but also underscores the potential of Indian riders to compete at the highest levels worldwide.