ISLAMABAD: In a debut marked by courage and composure, Warda Zainab drew attention at a tent pegging event organised by Barsa Club at F-9 Park, Islamabad, after continuing her run despite losing both stirrups moments after starting.
In nezabazi, losing the stirrups at the beginning of a run is considered one of the most dangerous moments for a rider. At full speed, even a slight shift in balance can lead to a fall, and many riders would normally pull the reins and stop the run. Warda, however, chose to push forward.
Seconds after launching down the track, she lost her balance and both feet slipped out of the stirrups. Instead of slowing down or turning back, she gripped the horse and moved into a full gallop, keeping her eyes fixed on the peg at the end of the track.
According to the account of her run, Warda was not focused on the missing stirrups or the risk of falling. She remained intent on the target ahead. The moment was particularly striking as balance and control in the stirrups were among the basic skills she had already mastered and trusted.
Speaking about the experience, Warda said the difficult start proved to be a major source of confidence for her.
“The most imperfect gallop of my life gave me so many lessons of resilience and so much confidence in what I can achieve in the future,” Warda Zainab said.
She said dealing with the unexpected gave her greater belief in herself than an easy and smooth run could have done.
Her participation also stood out because of the short period of preparation before the event. While many competitors spend years in formal training camps before appearing before a crowd, Warda entered the Barsa Club event after only six or seven days of tent pegging practice.
Her debut at F-9 Park placed her in a challenging, male-dominated sport with limited preparation, relying on focus, instinct and determination while riding alongside seasoned competitors.
Warda Zainab’s performance underlined resilience in the face of a difficult start and reflected the growing presence of women seeking space in the tent pegging arena.
