Arooj Kiyani Breaks Barriers in Pakistan with Historic Tent-Pegging Championship

In a sport where tradition has long meant male-only participation, one woman has just redrawn the lines...

The city of Jhelum recently hosted a first-of-its-kind event: a tent-pegging championship not only led by a woman but held on the grounds of a women’s college. Over 70 teams from across Pakistan competed in the two-day championship—proof that cultural heritage and progress can ride side by side.

At the centre of it all was Arooj Azhar Kiyani—CEO of Kingsgate Equine, the first female tent-pegging captain in Pakistan, and the first woman to sit on the board of the Equestrian Federation of Pakistan. But this wasn’t just a tick-box moment or headline. This was representation in motion. Leadership in action.

Speaking to media, Kiyani shared how her journey in tent-pegging has been far from conventional.
“With determination and proper mentorship, I carved a place for myself,” she said, acknowledging the role her parents and mentor Kasim Ahmed Khan played in her path forward.

Kiyani didn’t just organise a tournament. She made a point. Choosing a women’s college as the venue wasn’t accidental—it was a deliberate act of inclusion. It sent a clear message to every girl watching: you belong here too.

And if anyone thinks tent-pegging is too ‘traditional’ to evolve, Kiyani had an answer ready: “Women once rode into battle on horseback—this isn’t new for us. That legacy fuels my passion. This is a sport of courage and skill, for everyone, not just men.”

The event, run in partnership with the Punjab government, drew dignitaries, officials, and families alike. But perhaps its most important achievement was cultural: creating a space that was both competitive and welcoming, traditional and forward-looking. General Azhar Kiyani, Advisor to the Punjab Chief Minister, commended the event for revitalising cultural heritage while also creating space for women to lead in sport.

It’s not just about riding horses. It’s about challenging norms, creating access, and expanding what leadership looks like in every corner of the equestrian world.

Kiyani is doing exactly that—by making space, showing up, and bringing others along with her.

And whether you’re watching from Jhelum or anywhere else, one thing is clear: the gate is open now.