Pune: Highlighting the need for a structured and collaborative roadmap for India’s equine industry, The Equestrian Forum 2026 witnessed strong policy intent from the Maharashtra government, with senior leaders expressing openness to partnerships with institutions and universities.
The announcement came during the inauguration of The Equestrian Forum 2026, a national-level conference organised by The Equine Collective in Pune.
The forum was inaugurated by Pankaja Munde, Minister of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of Maharashtra, along with Jaykumar Rawal, Minister of Marketing and Protocol, Government of Maharashtra, in the presence of industry experts, academicians, and stakeholders from across the country.
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The Equestrian Forum 2026: Bringing Together Key Voices to Deliberate on Strengthening India’s Equine Ecosystem
Organised by The Equine Collective under the aegis of MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), The Equestrian Forum 2026 convened riders, breeders, veterinarians, policymakers, and industry leaders. The discussions focused on building a sustainable, organised, and globally competitive equine sector in India.
Welcoming the gathering, Gayatri Rahul Karad, Founder of The Equine Collective and Convenor of the forum, emphasised the need for formalisation within the industry.
She said, “India’s equine sector, despite being part of a global equine ecosystem valued in the hundreds of billions of dollars, remains largely unstructured, with a significant portion of the workforce lacking formal training and certification.
Through The Equestrian Forum, we aim to bridge this gap by building a unified platform that supports skill development, standardisation, and long-term career pathways. This is not just a conversation it is a commitment to transforming the ecosystem and creating sustainable opportunities for thousands engaged in this sector.”
Addressing the audience at The Equestrian Forum 2026, Pankaja Munde underscored the importance of innovation and collective action.
She said, “New ideas are always challenging, but they are also very powerful. The concept of a collective approach for the equine sector is both timely and necessary. The sector has strong potential, not just in sports, but also in rural development, environment, and employment generation. We are committed to supporting initiatives related to animal welfare, scientific breeding, veterinary care, and skill development.”
Jaykumar Rawal highlighted the cultural and economic importance of the equine sector during The Equestrian Forum 2026.
He said, “The relationship between humans and horses is built on trust, discipline, and emotional connection. India has a rich equine heritage, and it is important to preserve and promote this while also modernizing the sector. There is strong potential for growth in areas such as breeding, equine tourism, veterinary care, and training.”
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Dr. Rahul V. Karad, Executive President, MIT-WPU, underlined the role of academia in driving sectoral transformation at The Equestrian Forum 2026.
He said, “Through platforms like The Equestrian Forum, MIT-WPU aims to connect education, animal welfare, sports science, and innovation to strengthen India’s equestrian ecosystem. Collaboration between academia, government, and industry is essential for sustainable growth.”
The inauguration session of The Equestrian Forum 2026 was followed by a panel discussion on Policy and Governance, focusing on rebranding and strengthening the equine industry.
Moderated by senior journalist Cyrus Madan, the panel featured Pankaja Munde, Jaykumar Rawal, Dr. Farrokh F. Wadia, President, National Horse Breeding Society of India, and Dr. Anhad Sidhu, Equine Surgeon from Chandigarh.
The Equestrian Forum 2026 also features expert sessions, panel discussions, and live demonstrations covering breeding, veterinary science, animal welfare, technology adoption, and policy frameworks. The function was compered by Dr. Ravikumar Sahu.
