South African Tent Pegging (SATP)

The sport of Tent Pegging, formerly known as Gymkhana, involves swords and lances, with which the rider has to strike an object at full gallop. To successfully strike a thing that is driven into the ground or hanging from an overhead gallows construction calls for the rider to focus on the object and beat it without distracting his concentration by shifting his attention to his horse. The bond of trust between horse and rider has no boundaries.

Once a rider commences an event, the emphasis is on the object rather than his horse. Tent Pegging calls for a well-schooled horse to respond to commands instantaneously and have no fear of noise or sudden movements.

A high standard of riding skill is required to gallop a horse at full speed and maintain posture as judges award points for the style and accuracy with which objects are struck or retrieved.

For more on Tent Pegging, click HERE.