History

Tent pegging is an ancient cavalry sport with origins dating back to the 4th century BC. While its precise origins remain uncertain, the sport is believed to have been spread by Eurasian empires. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) states that tent pegging likely originated in the Indian subcontinent during the Middle Ages as a battlefield tactic used by mounted cavalry against war elephants. By precisely striking the sensitive area behind an elephant’s toenail, a skilled cavalier could cause the animal to panic, unseating its rider and creating chaos in enemy ranks. Another theory suggests that tent pegging was used for surprise raids, where cavalry could sever tent pegs to collapse enemy tents during pre-dawn attacks. Over time, these military exercises evolved into a competitive equestrian sport, gaining popularity worldwide. Tent pegging was officially recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia in 1982 and by the FEI in 2004 as one of its ten equestrian disciplines.

Rules

Tent pegging competitions follow structured rules that define the targets, weapons, and performance criteria. The core event involves a mounted rider galloping at high speed while using a sword or lance to pierce, pick up, and carry away small ground targets, typically wooden pegs. Other variations of the sport include passing a weapon through a hanging ring, spearing or slicing objects like lemons, and striking a mannequin (quintain tilting). Mounted archery is also sometimes included. The competition's rules specify factors such as target size and composition, the number of targets on a course, the dimensions and weight of the weapons, the required completion time, and the degree to which a target must be struck, cut, or carried. These elements ensure precision, speed, and skill, maintaining the sport’s historical roots in cavalry training.