Pakistan’s first equestrian qualifies for the Olympics after 73 years

News Desk

Pakistan’s first equestrian, Usman Khan, is gearing up to launch his bid for gold at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Ranked number one in the Africa and Middle East Group rankings and second in Olympic Group F, Usman Khan is Pakistan’s top event rider and currently the nation’s only 4-star eventer in the world.

Khan has already won 2 FEI events, giving Pakistan wins at international events after a period of 13 years. Most importantly, he is the first Pakistani to qualify for the Olympics in the equestrian discipline, which is Pakistan’s first such Olympic qualification in 73 years.

It took Khan 15 years to achieve this milestone, with an extraordinary story comprising both tragedy and endurance. In 2020, his horse, Azad Kashmir, died from a heart attack while grazing in the paddock. Then in 2021, when Pakistan was in a winning position during the last phase of cross country at an Olympic qualifier in Australia, his horse died during a rotational fall at the last fence, mere inches away from the finish line. As a result of the fall, Khan suffered severe head injuries and almost lost his life.

He spent the next 12 months on a rehab programme in Melbourne, Australia learning to walk, speak and live a normal life again, with a return to riding an almost impossibility.

Khan miraculously defied all medical predictions by making a full recovery and returning to his passion for horse riding. In 2022, Khan made his comeback by qualifying for the Asian Games, with his name placed on the Elite Athlete Pool, becoming the first equestrian to do so, followed by qualification for Paris 2024, in 2023. For the first time, Pakistan secured first position in Olympic Group F.

Khan is now training and preparing to compete in Paris 2024, but being self-funded, he is seeking support to maintain his intense training programme, which amounts to £250,000.

In response, a group of British Pakistanis have joined hands to help his entry into the Olympics. Team Usman is the driving force working to raise the needed funds for Khan’s entry and ultimate victory at the Paris Olympics 2024.

The equestrian is on the cusp of glory not only for himself but more importantly for his country and his supporters, bringing a rare feeling of tremendous pride to every Pakistani, at home and across the world.