Our Team

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Jacqueline Kapur,

Founder & Executive Team Member

Jacqueline’s lifelong passion for horses began when she started riding at age 9 in her native Germany and she has shaped the equestrian landscape of Auroville and larger India through her coaching of countless young people (including her own two children!) to national-level victories. Today, Jacqueline is a highly sought-after dressage trainer and continues to score in the 70s with her own Andalusian mare Campera in competitions. 

With her years of experience as an entrepreneur, Jacqueline has been able to also establish a series of nonverbal communication programs for the development of leadership skills in professional and personal settings.

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Kalivarathan V.,

Executive Team Member

When Kali joined the riding school in 2006, he had never worked with horses before, but he soon formed a strong intuitive connection that has resulting in him training to become an accomplished national-level dressage rider and show jumper and to coach riders of all levels. He continues to share his expertise through teaching and also manages the day-to-day running of the riding school.

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Hilary Smith,

Executive Team Member

Having learned to ride as a child in the US, Hilary reaffirmed her fascination with horses when she first came to Auroville in 2011. She finds the tangible connection with the horses a valuable balance to her other more computer-based work as a librarian in Auroville and has previously taught beginner lessons at the riding school. During competitions, she regularly serves as show secretary.  

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Namoi,

Parelli Intstructor

Namoi grew up in Auroville and started riding horses when she was around 3 years old, falling in love immediately. At the age of 10 or 11, she discovered the Parelli Natural Horsemanship Programme. Further inspired by the experience of adopting her own horse, she has gone on to train in Italy and has become a Level 4 Parelli Horseman and the highest qualified Parelli teacher in all of Asia. 


  • Rajesh- Head Syce

    Rajesh is our head syce, who has nerves of steel in any dramatic situation. If two stallions happen to fight, it will be Rajesh separating them. He is in charge of all medical assistance required.

  • Vinodh

    Vinoth, our ferrier is responsible for all the 120+ hooves of Red Earth. He is with us since more than 15 years . He is also the father of Vikas

  • Vikas

    Vikas, who is now one of our trainers and very successful competition riders. He grew up in Red Earth and has been riding since he was very young.

  • Arun

    Arun, who is working with us since he was 17. He is our pony-whisperer and the little kids riders all love his classes. Arun also trains and competes in dressage and show jumping.

  • Anand

    Anand is another groom, who has been working with us since his teenager days. He is in charge of the maintenance of the stables and the paddocks , while also looking after 6 of our horses.

  • Viji & Vimla

    Our gardens, the residential houses and the Black Box are being looked after by our female power team of Vimla and Viji. Both ladies love the animals and are doing a superb job with taking care of our guests and residents, two legged and four legged ones….