As many as 125 horses along with riders have arrived the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) headquarters, Jalandhar, to participate in the the National Equestrian Championship Tent Pegging 2024-25 that started on Saturday. On the first day, veterinary inspections were held.

Today, the teams participated in individual lance and paired lance events. The riders and horses showcased their skills, leaving everyone mesmerised.

A total of 14 teams are taking part in the championship, including the 61st Cavalry, AMU Riding Club, ASC Equestrian Team, Assam Rifles, BSF Equestrian Team, Chandigarh Police, Chetak Equestrian Sports Academy and Verina, Dhruv Equestrian Node, Haryana Police, Indian Navy, ITBP, Bhanu.

The teams had reached the headquarters a day before. The riders also got their own horse feed along with tentage.

The Punjab Armed Police (PAP) team comprises of DIG Inderbir Singh, DSP Jaswinder Singh, DSP Ram Pal and Inspector Youngbir Singh. DSP Ram Pal started teaching tent pegging to DIG Inderbir last year in June.

It was for the first time that the teams that have been participating in the championship reached here after clearing two national qualifiers. Youngbir Singh said, "It has happen for the first time that the team had to pass national-level qualifiers to participate in this championship."

The PAP team emphasised the importance of preparing the horse mentally and physically before the game. “Everything that happens ‘behind the scenes’ is essential. One needs to know how to coordinate with the speed and instil josh,” Inderbir stated.

The horses are fed black chana, alsi, jaggery, carrots, oil and forage, ensuring they are ready for the competition.

On Monday, individual lance (ring and peg) event will be held.