MUSCAT, SEPT 21
Pakistan secured the overall title as the World Cup Qualifying Tournament for Tent Pegging concluded on Sunday at the Al Wattayah Equestrian Arena of the Royal Oman Police Mounted Unit, with the final day held under the auspices of Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth.
The three-day qualifier, organised by the Oman Equestrian and Racing Federation under the supervision of the International Tent Pegging Federation, brought together six national teams competing for qualification places at the Tent Pegging World Cup, scheduled to be held in Jordan in November 2026.
Oman finished strongly in the final round, taking first place in the team standings for the third day. Pakistan secured second place, while Qatar finished third.
The individual competition also produced a strong showing from Pakistan. Tsawar Abbas claimed first place, with compatriot Mohammad Sagheer finishing second. Oman’s Hisham Ali Al Bakri completed the individual podium in third place.
Following the combined results from the three days of competition, Pakistan topped the overall team standings, with Oman finishing runners-up and Qatar taking third place.
The final day attracted a large crowd, creating a lively atmosphere at the Al Wattayah arena as spectators followed the decisive competitions and supported the Omani riders throughout the closing programme.
Busaidi praises Oman’s hosting
Sayyid Mundhir bin Saif al Busaidi, Chairman of the Oman Equestrian and Racing Federation, praised the standard of competition and Oman’s organisation of the qualifier, describing the event as a positive demonstration of the country’s experience in hosting international equestrian competitions.
He said the six participating teams produced closely matched performances, which kept the competition open and exciting until the final rounds. With only two qualification places available for the World Cup, the narrow margins between the teams added further intensity to the contest.
Al Busaidi said the success of the event was supported by the readiness of the competition arena, the coordination between the organising committees and the cooperation of government and private institutions. He also highlighted the work of the judging, veterinary, medical, technical and administrative teams, as well as the support provided by the Royal Oman Police.
He noted that the qualifier provided valuable opportunities to strengthen the experience of Omani personnel in organising international events and to exchange expertise with visiting teams and international officials.
OMAN TURN FOCUS TO WORLD CUP
The federation chairman also confirmed that the Omani team’s performance would be assessed in detail ahead of the World Cup. The preparation programme will include intensive training camps, individual and team sessions, and work on the physical, technical and mental aspects of performance, alongside appropriate preparation of the horses.
Al Busaidi said the federation’s ambition extends beyond participation, with the national team aiming to compete strongly at the World Cup in Jordan.
The conclusion of the qualifier marked three days of international tent pegging competition in Oman, combining speed, precision, horsemanship and technical skill, while further strengthening the Sultanate’s position as a host for major events in the sport.
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