When did the disciplines of tent pegging have their origin?

Tentpegging is the collective name for mounted skill at arms, based on the cavalry sport of removing wooden 'tent pegs' from the ground on horseback, using a sword or lance at the gallop. The sport is around 2,500 years old, developed by Asian armies who relied on their skill with the lance to defeat their enemies.

The term ‘Tentpegging’ refers not to the ability to pin down the guy lines on an 18 x 24 tent as fast as possible, but to the cavalry sport of removing wooden ‘tent pegs’ from the back of a galloping horse from the ground using a sword or lance.

Disciplines are performed at the gallop as individuals, half section pairs and team sections of three or four. Tentpegging is the ultimate test of horsemanship, requiring determination, hand-eye coordination, discipline and a fearless love of speed. Pegs range from three to one inch in diameter. The majority of horses and ponies can be taught to peg and they love it!

In all accounts, the competitive sport evolved out of cavalry training exercises designed to develop cavaliers' prowess with the sword and lance from horseback. However, whether tent pegging developed cavaliers' generic skills or prepared them for specific combat situations is unclear.