A Sport That Belonged Only to Men — Until Now

For most of its history, Pakistan's tent pegging scene — locally known as Neza Bazi — was an exclusively male domain. Women were spectators, not competitors. That reality is rapidly and permanently changing.

Women and girls across Pakistan are now competing, organising, and excelling in one of the world's oldest equestrian disciplines. Their rise is commanding national headlines and international media attention.

Arooj Kiyani: A Trailblazer

Arooj Azhar Kiyani, CEO of Kingsgate Equine, stands at the centre of this shift. She holds two historic firsts: Pakistan's first female tent pegging team captain and the first woman to serve on the board of the Equestrian Federation of Pakistan (EFP).

In May 2025, Kiyani organised Pakistan's first female-organised tent pegging championship in Jhelum — held at Government Postgraduate College, Jhelum. The choice of venue was deliberate: to create a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere and to send a message of inclusion to girls across the country. The event drew over 70 teams from across Pakistan, a turnout that surpassed expectations.

The championship was organised in collaboration with the Punjab Government, marking official institutional support for women in a sport that had long resisted their participation.

"We want equal respect. This sport is in our blood too."

International Media Coverage

In May 2026, Al Jazeera published a major feature — "Want equal respect: Pakistan's females galloping to glory in tent pegging" — bringing Pakistan's female riders to a global audience. The coverage noted that videos of female riders have gone viral on Instagram and TikTok, sometimes outperforming their male counterparts in views.

Challenges Along the Way

The journey has not been without resistance. Some veterans claimed women were disrupting the sport's traditions. But female riders have responded the most effective way possible: by excelling in competition, winning recognition, and drawing audiences larger than the sport attracted before.

With Punjab Government backing, EFP support, and growing social media visibility, the movement has momentum that is no longer stoppable.

What This Means for Tent Pegging

The entry of women into competitive Neza Bazi expands the sport in every direction — new riders, new audiences, new organisers, and international attention the sport has never previously received at this scale.

Neza is built for the entire community. That includes every female rider, organiser, and horse owner ready to build their verified record on the platform.

Sources: Al Jazeera · Dawn · The Nation