Usman Khan, a Pakistani horse rider, made Olympic history on Sunday when he qualified for Paris by surpassing the minimal standard at an FEI 4-star competition held in Ireland.
Usman, who was born in Lahore, and his horse Mairaj accomplished this feat after competing in several competitions in Europe. Usman participated in several competitions in Switzerland, France, Poland, Germany, and Belgium before achieving the feat in Ireland. Usman flew from France to Ireland through the UK. Usman has now qualified for the Olympics two times in a row. He had previously earned a spot in the Tokyo Olympics, but an accident in Australia left him seriously injured, and his horse dead.
Usman expressed his participation in eventing, a challenging combination of cross-country, showjumping, and dressage designed to thoroughly evaluate both the rider and the horse’s horsemanship skills. In an electronic message, he joyfully shared the news that Pakistan, by the grace of Almighty Allah, has successfully qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 during the FEI 4-star Kilguilkey International Horse Trials at Mallow in Ireland. The qualifying event took place on Sunday, 30th July 2023, at 10:30 AM local time. Despite feeling weak, Usman’s heart is filled with immense love and pride for the crescent and star, symbolizing his profound affection for Pakistan.
Usman informed Geo News that his accomplishment holds significant importance for Pakistan. However, he emphasized the need to sustain his current MER (Minimum Eligibility Requirement) to secure his position in the Paris Olympics. He expressed the necessity of maintaining this position over the next 12 months, requiring a reserve horse and active participation in upcoming events.
Usman stressed the importance of receiving the funding that authorities had previously agreed upon, as it would ensure a smooth journey leading up to the Paris Olympics. Notably, Usman had already qualified for the Asian Games, but unfortunately, the EFP (Equestrian Federation of Pakistan) did not confirm his participation within the deadline. Being of Pakistani-Australian origin, Usman decided to relocate to France to better prepare for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
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