New Delhi, March 28: Arjan Nagra, riding Bianca,  emerged as the national champion in the novice category in the first leg of the National Eventing Championship at the Army Polo and Riding center, Delhi on Wednesday. 

Manvendra Singh and Sthavi Asthana claimed the second and third positions respectively at the NEC Eventing Novice & Pre Novice.

Nagra did not concede any penalty while clearing 11 obstacles, completing the run in exactly one hour. He also did not concede a penalty in show jumping but in the dressage section was 31.6 seconds more than the allowed time limit.

In the 44-rider competition, over a 380-metre course, Nagra conceded the least penalties (31.6) and was followed by Manvendra (31.9) and Sthavi (34.2) in the leaderboard.

The eventing competition, also known as horse trial, comprises three disciplines dressage, cross country and show jumping. 

Manvendra, who rode Hercules, and Stahvi who was riding Rustam Jee, also conceded penalty only in the dressage event.