Outgoing Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board Muhammad Yasir Pirzada performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Islamabad Riding Club, calling the project a watershed moment for equestrian sports and Olympic disciplines in the country. The move is aimed at providing young riders with modern training facilities and expanding pathways for talent development.
Raja Zarrar Sajjad, the newly elected President of the Equestrian Federation of Pakistan, described the new facility as a landmark for promoting horse riding and grooming young athletes. He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Muhammad Yasir Pirzada for supporting the initiative and allocating land to the equestrian community, noting that Islamabad’s climate and growing interest in the sport make it an ideal location for the Islamabad Riding Club.
Officials said the federation will leverage its pool of talented riders, trainers and international-standard coaches to run a range of activities at the club. The presence of international coaches is expected to support regular coaching clinics, seasonal camps and structured training sessions to raise standards in Olympic events such as dressage, show jumping and eventing.
While Pakistan has long excelled in traditional disciplines such as tent pegging and horseback archery, the EFP plans to broaden its focus to Olympic equestrian sports. Raja Zarrar highlighted the country’s depth in tent pegging, noting that around 98 horses are associated with cultural tent pegging and more than 50 horses currently participate in international activities.
The Islamabad Riding Club will operate under a membership system catering to different disciplines and will host the federation’s biggest annual event, the National Championship, shortly after Eid-ul-Azha and before Muharram. A coaching session to develop new trainers is also planned for next month to increase the number of certified instructors in show jumping and other Olympic events.
On financial sustainability, the EFP president said riders already cover more than 70 percent of costs such as horse feed and transportation. He stressed that transparency, self-sustainability and horse welfare will be central to the club’s model, and promised awareness programmes to promote modern standards of animal care and discourage harmful traditional practices.
Leaders expect the Islamabad Riding Club to expand access for young people who cannot afford horses or private facilities, tapping into the city’s many schools, colleges and universities for talent identification. With planned coaching clinics and a focus on both traditional and Olympic disciplines, the Islamabad Riding Club aims to become a national hub for equestrian sport and rider development.
