On today’s episode, Ute talks with Hera Mirza, an Indian horse woman who competes in Tent Pegging, an equestrian sports which originated on the Indian subcontinent and is one of the ten internationally recognised sports by the FEI. Tent pegging is a fast and exiting Cavalry sports in which the rider has to pick up a peg or a ring with lance or sword at full speed gallop. There are teams in different countries but few women competitors as it has a strong military tradition. Hera is the first woman in India who got into it and successfully competed at national and international competitions. She loves horses passionately and hopes to encourage more women to join Tent Pegging so that one day India can have an all-women team. She is a trail blazer in the true sense of the word and knows how to handle her sword or lance.
Tent Pegging – An Ancient Cavalry Sports
Riding with Lance or Sword
Tent Pegging is a popular equestrian sports on the Indian subcontinent as well as in several other countries such as Oman, Israel, England or South Africa.
It is a mounted game requiring the rider to pierce, pick-up and carry a ground target called peg with a lance or a sword at full gallop. Time is important as the fastest rider wins so it is extremely exciting to play and watch.
It has its origin in ancient cavalry tactics such as removing the tent pegs from the enemy’s tents in a nightly or pre-dawn attack or in attacking the sensitive toe nails of the enemy’s war elephants.
The International Tent Pegging Federation has its headquarters in Oman.
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Our Guests today:
Hera Mirza (India)
A student and horse lover from Azam Garh, Uttar Pradesh in India who competes for the Royal Aligarh Riding Club and secured 5th place in the Individual Sword Tent Pegging Competion at the National Championship in 2017. Her aim is to ride for India in international competitions and to bring more women into the sports.
Follow her on Instagram
Don’t forget to check out the resources section in this article!
Highlights
- What is Tent Pegging?
- What are the rules and why is it exciting?
- How to train your horses for Tent Pegging
- Winning or Learning
Thank you for tuning in and happy trails!
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Resources
- Tent Pegging EFI Rules
- How to Ride Horses in India Article
- Podcast about India’s only Equine Dentist
- EQA Online Shop
- The International Equestrian Virtual Clinic
Thanks for listening to our horse podcast for Equestrian Adventuresses!
