MUSCAT, SEPT 20
Pakistan claimed first place in the second competition round of the World Cup Qualifying Tournament for Tent Pegging “Oman 2026 – Group C” on Saturday, with Iran finishing second and hosts Oman taking third place.
The championship is being held at the Al Wattayah Equestrian Arena of the Royal Oman Police Mounted Unit, and is organised by the Oman Equestrian and Racing Federation under the supervision of the International Tent Pegging Federation.
The qualifying tournament has brought together national teams competing for places at the Tent Pegging World Cup, with riders seeking strong results across a demanding programme that combines speed, accuracy, coordination and horsemanship.
Saturday’s second round began at 7 pm and featured a programme centred on sword events, including the Individual Sword, Pairs Sword and Teams Sword competitions.
The Individual Sword competition was contested over one round using a six-centimetre peg. The Pairs Sword event consisted of two rounds, beginning with a six-centimetre peg before moving to a four-centimetre target in the second round.
The Teams Sword competition was conducted over three rounds. The first round used a six-centimetre peg, while the second and third rounds required riders to tackle four-centimetre targets, placing greater demands on precision and concentration.
Pakistan produced a strong performance throughout the day’s competitions to secure first place in the second round, while Iran finished runner-up. Oman completed the podium in third place, giving the hosts a positive result on home ground.
The second-round results add further interest to the qualification battle, with the participating teams aiming to maintain consistency across the different disciplines and secure strong positions as the championship progresses.
Oman is represented by five riders: Hamad bin Saif al Raisi, Hamad bin Nasser al Riyami, Nasser bin Rashid al Siyabi, Waleed bin Zahir al Shraiqi and Hisham bin Ali al Bakri.
The national team is managed by Mohammed bin Salim al Maliki, with Hilal bin Hassan al Balushi serving as coach. Obaid bin Lahiq al Quraini is the team coordinator, while Khamis bin Khada Bakhsh al Balushi is responsible for team affairs.
The competition at the Al Wattayah arena provides the riders with an opportunity to test their skills against international opposition in a demanding format that requires precise timing and close coordination between rider and horse.
For Oman, the third-place finish in the second round keeps the hosts involved in the qualification contest as the championship continues. The national team will look to build on its performance in the remaining competitions and strengthen its position in the qualification campaign.
The staging of the Group C qualifier in Oman also highlights the country’s continued involvement in international tent pegging and its role in hosting major equestrian events. The sport combines traditional horsemanship with speed, accuracy and technical skill, requiring riders to maintain control of their horses while accurately striking the targets.
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