Tent-pegging: Amid whirls of dust, Haripur’s Tareen Club takes top honours

Concluding day brings together horse enthusiasts; special ground to be built for planned annual event.

ISLAMABAD: Four kullah-clad, lance-bearing riders whirl their festooned stallions in small, clockwise circles before the final anticlockwise leap by the horses as they gallop towards their targets.

That the final day of the tent-pegging show at Fatima Jinnah Park coincided with the Pakistan-India cricket match did not stymie fans of tent-pegging and horses from attending what was arguably the most thrilling day of the three-day event.

Spectators cheered on their favourites, yelling slogans in praise of every rider who scored full points and alternating between support and frustration dependant on their form. “I am watching this sport live for the first time and I love it,” enthused A’ levels student Ashar Imran, while hoping the festival could continue for longer.

Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Engineer Farkhand Iqbal announced during the concluding ceremony that tent pegging would become a regular fixture in Islamabad. “The huge positive response has helped ensure that it will happen annually from now on,” he said. Iqbal also announced that a special ground will be established in Islamabad for this purpose.

“The CDA should organise this event regularly. It represents our cultural heritage,” said Rasheed Umar, a visitor, adding that the event used to occur regularly in his village. Spectators had come from all parts of the country, with those from the hometowns of the participating teams especially vocal.

“We have come from Mandi Bahauddin to support our riders and are happy that they have made it to the final,” said Sher Muhammad. Though his team, Bukhari Club, were unable to win the final match, they were the runners up to Tareen Club from Haripur, Hazara. Third place went to Rawalpindi’s Gujjar Club.

The venue allowed families to see the event while strolling along the adjacent play areas for children and through food stalls set up by the organisers. The winners received shields from the chief guest.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2012.