HPSL: Riding High to Become the IPL of Equestrian Excellence

In a strategic move set to redefine the equestrian sports landscape in India, the Horse Power Sports League (HPSL) has assumed the lead sponsorship role for the prestigious Indian Derby, now officially titled 'The HPSL Indian Derby (Grade 1).' This significant collaboration not only adds to the grandeur of the race but also marks the official launch of HPSL in India. We had an opportunity to sit with Mr. Suresh Paladugu, Chairman and Managing Director of HPSL to gain some insights into the official launch of HPSL in India and their partnership with the Indian Derby.

1. The Indian Derby is recognized as the richest race in India. How does HPSL's lead sponsorship aim to enhance the overall experience for both participants and spectators in this prestigious event?

As HPSL, our vision is to promote equestrian sport beyond just racing and betting. Indian Derby is a best example, that goes beyond races on that weekend. It's a community lifestyle event with a lot of entertainment where kids and the elderly come to celebrate the best racing scene.
The Horse Power Sports League (HPSL) has joined forces as the lead sponsor, officially naming the event 'The HPSL Indian Derby (Grade 1)'. This collaboration not only amplifies the grandeur of the race but also marks the official brand launch of HPSL in India.

2. Can you elaborate on the impact that The HPSL Indian Derby (Grade 1) is expected to have on raising awareness and interest in equestrian sports among the Indian audience?

RWITC and all the previous sponsors have done a remarkable job in making The Indian Derby the richest and beyond just racing.
HPSL intends to take it to the next level as " A Different League " - by associating with other industries like Film, Media, and Corporate closely and bringing everyone together, an inclusive approach rather than making it a niche sport. We have already associated with the Movie and Media Industry and will put our best foot forward in telling the "right stories" to create interest and connect with a wider audience

3. Given the historical significance of equestrian sports in India, how does HPSL plan to blend tradition with modern sports entertainment to create a unique and captivating experience for the audience?

Modern sports entertainment is about user experience and engagement, be it on the ground or digital. With lowered attention spans, it's very important to innovate and bring the best experience to the audience and make them involved.
With so many choices and content, getting the attention of the wider audience will be challenging unless the sport goes through a transformational journey and innovates in every way to be more appealing.
HPSL stands as India's premier equestrian-focused company and league dedicated to fostering a cultural phenomenon that celebrates the fusion of tradition, elegance, entertainment, lifestyle, and sportsmanship.

4. In light of India's recent success in equestrian sports at the Asian Games, how does HPSL view the future potential and growth of Indian athletes in international equestrian competitions?

Having won Gold in the recent Asian Games and our athletes performing at the international level is just the beginning for the Equestrian Athletes from the perspective of the continuation with a level of perseverance, commitment, and belief in the future. We at HPSL will support the sport and create awareness to bring the champions forward at a global and international level

5. With the official debut of HPSL in India, are there plans for further collaborations or initiatives to promote equestrian events?

Yes, as HPSL, to achieve our goals, collaborations within and outside of the industry are a must. We are actively looking at options and initiatives to promote our Hero - The Horse. The league will see the enthusiastic participation of 7 teams initially, with options to expand as we reach a wider audience. Moreover, HPSL shall sponsor and conduct equestrian sports throughout the year adding a dynamic rhythm to the equestrian calendar.

6. Looking ahead, how does HPSL envision its role in shaping the future narrative of equestrian sports in India, and are there any long-term goals or milestones the league aims to achieve?

HPSL sees a great need and opportunity to promote equestrian sports in India. We will measure our success by increasing touchpoints with our end customers and collaborations that we will foster through our journey. Our first milestone is to successfully complete our 2024 launch and first season by connecting audiences from 7 different teams/languages across India. In this digital world where the primary metric is "followers" on social media and user engagement - we intend to be on the top of the charts as compared to any other Indian sporting leagues or communities

7. How does HPSL perceive the current market dynamics in the sector, and what strategies does the league plan to implement to stay ahead in this competitive environment?

The four pillars of HPSL are Sports, Leisure, Gaming, and Content creation, in a nutshell. The USP of HPSL is the way we connect the Power sports to Lifestyle, Leisure, Digital gaming, and content creation of its own building a community of like-minded people. We are looking forward to converging the four pillars to emerge as the leading brand of Motorsports. The association with brands and celebrities at a global and regional level that we have on board speaks for the brand and its future with a huge scope for growth in the market. 20 years of Global expertise of HPSL shall be put to use to synergize technological innovation and Motorsports excellence including strategic brand promotion. Hence, we are looking forward to being associated with Visionaries who understand the intent, vision, and mission of HPSL.

8. In the context of the Indian Derby, can you shed light on the lead player from India that HPSL has partnered with, and how does the league foresee contributing to the growth and market expansion of horse racing in the country?

With the base model established by Indian Derby as a lifestyle event, HPSL intends to further that message and model across the country by collaborating/partnering with key industry players rather than keeping it a closed-loop event.
With active promotion and creating highly engaging content both on the ground and digitally, we see a natural market expansion for the horse racing industry and all the stakeholders involved. The most critical and challenging is for everyone to come together and work toward that common goal.
Why can't we in India, have an international event of the scale of "The Dubai World Cup", "Kentucky Derby", "Melbourne Cup", "Breeders Cup" etc?

9. Anything else that you would like to highlight about the brand?

HPSL - Horse Power Sports League - "A Different League" Will focus on creating a rich experience for all the audience and make it inclusive. Our vision is blending both physical and digital worlds in engaging and building a community around equestrian sport, lifestyle, gaming and entertainment.