Brigadier Virendra Pal Singh (16 October 1940 â 2012) was an officer of the Indian Army and a leading Indian polo and equestrian. He served with both the 61st Cavalry and the PresidentâÂÂs Bodyguard, and is noted as the only Indian polo player in the post-Independence era to have attained a seven-goal handicap. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1975 for his achievements in polo.
Singh was born in Patiala, Punjab, on 16 October 1940. He studied at the Lawrence School, Sanawar, where he developed an interest in riding and polo. His aptitude for horsemanship was evident early in life. After completing school, he entered the National Defence Academy (NDA), and later trained at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun. At the IMA, Singh distinguished himself by winning both the Sword of Honour and the Gold Medal, awarded for overall excellence and leadership potential.
Upon commissioning in the early 1960s, Singh was posted to the 61st Cavalry, the last remaining non-mechanised horse-mounted cavalry regiment in the world. The unit combined ceremonial duties with competitive equestrian sports. In 1966, Singh became the first Indian officer selected for the advanced equitation course at Saumur, France, where he trained and competed against Olympic riders.
He rose to command the regiment and eventually became the only officer of the 61st Cavalry promoted to the rank of Brigadier, breaking the traditional ceiling that limited cavalry officers to lower ranks due to the unitâÂÂs ceremonial focus.
Between 1975 and 1980, Singh commanded the PresidentâÂÂs Bodyguard (PBG), IndiaâÂÂs senior-most cavalry regiment and ceremonial guard to the President of India. The PBG has long been associated with polo, and Singh strengthened its equestrian profile during his command. His tenure contributed to the regimentâÂÂs continued role as one of the key centres of polo in India. Singh also served with the PresidentâÂÂs Bodyguard (India), where he later became Commandant. Both PBG and 61st Cavalry maintained active equestrian programmes, and Singh was among the most prominent polo players produced by these regiments.
Singh was active in polo from the mid-1960s to the 1980s.
In addition to polo, Singh competed successfully in show jumping, dressage, eventing, and tent pegging. He won prizes at national equestrian competitions, and in 1966 he judged at the Dublin International Horse Show. He was also associated with the International Equestrian Federation.
SinghâÂÂs involvement in these disciplines contributed to the development of equestrian sport in India at a time when the Army played a crucial role in sustaining it.
Singh was conferred the Arjuna Award in 1975 for his contribution to polo.
Singh was married to Virendra Kumari of Kutch. The couple had three children: two daughters and a son, Bhishma Pal Singh, who also became a polo player and attained a two-goal handicap. One daughter, Yogini, pursued equestrian sports and competed in dressage at the junior national level.
After retiring from the Army, Singh settled near Gurgaon, Haryana, where he continued to train horses and remained involved in polo. He also advised the Indian Polo Association. He died in 2012 at the age of 72.
In 2019, the Brigadier V. P. Singh Memorial Polo Cup was instituted at the Jaipur Polo Ground, Delhi, to commemorate his contribution to Indian polo.