Equestrian Usman Khan narrates his long, arduous journey to Olympic qualification

Karachi: Pakistan is no stranger to horses and riders but the country certainly is oblivious to the same two elements when the take the form of Equestrian — an Olympic sport. 

The little-known horse riding sport has a following but it remains hidden from the mainstream media, and so it makes sense why Usman Khan, who has qualified for Tokyo Olympics and will rep Pakistan at the Games next year, also remains an unknown entity despite the enormity of his achievement.

Usman, along with his horse “Azad Kashmir”, confirmed his qualification earlier this month after garnering the minimum required score for the contest.

He has now set his eyes on keeping Pakistan’s flag high at the Tokyo Olympics.

“This is not a matter of simple qualification. It’s the journey of a spirited and ambitious Pakistan,” he told Geo News after his qualification.

Usman is quick to remind, however, that the hardest part is not over.

“Tokyo 2020 is six  months away, and we have a lot to do. We must retain the top two positions in Group F. My goal is to keep Azad Kashmir fit and healthy. We are working closely with coach Michelle and veterinarian Rohan to make sure our competition itinerary is balanced." 

The Lahore-born rider, who is currently based in Australia and working in the IT sector, recalled his story. 

In a “one-sport country” Usman once wanted to be an Army officer but couldn’t achieve his dream. Devastated at not being selected in the Army, he decided to opt for other ways to serve the country.

“My father took us for riding lessons at army riding school in Lahore when I was seven or eight years old. I wanted to join the army but couldn't. But there were other ways to serve Pakistan. Back then no one knew Eventing (an equestrian discipline). All anyone knew was that horses jump at the Olympics. That was our humble beginning which eventually led to the goal of making it to the Olympics,” he said.

Usman mentioned that his road to Olympics was a 15-year journey, which involved several obstacles and tough decisions, one of which was him leaving his scholarship at Monash University in Australia.

“I left my scholarship and came into the sport of Eventing with one vision: take Pakistan to Olympics,” he said, while adding that it was as ambitious as it was risky.

“For the next five years we failed miserably in everything we did. In the process I broke my leg during a riding accident and wasn’t able to ride for a few years. We soon ran out of money, and I had to sleep most days in a car and motels. 

I had just one horse, which I use to feed seven days a week and myself just three days,” he said, adding that during this period he isolated himself from everyone.

Usman mentioned that equestrian is easily the most expensive sport at Olympic level.

He said that despite a series of failures he stuck to his plan, saying that the only thing that kept things together was his faith as he believed that hard work always pays.

“I have never used the sport to make money and never promoted my name. Whenever you read Pakistan Eventing, you will find Usman Khan's name nowhere. It was all about Pakistan and creating a soft image of the Muslim community,” he said.

Usman had earlier participated with a horse named Al-Buraq and within two years they had entered the FEI circuit but then Al-Buraq got injured and Usman had to start everything again.

“We needed another horse,” he recalled. “It takes up to two years to understand a new horse that allows you the ability to be competitive at international level. We decided to take the risk with the aim to qualify within six months of FEI deadline. I bought a New Zealand thoroughbred in April 2019 and named him "Azad Kashmir" after the People of Kashmir,” Usman said.

The soon-to-be Olympian said the fact that he was able seal the qualification in the last six months was possible only after some important decisions.

“I fell off during an event in Melbourne in June which led to a life changing decision. I resigned from a senior position in Australian Government to focus solely on Olympic qualification rounds. We consumed our life savings in the process,” Usman mentioned.

Talking about his qualification process, Usman mentioned that he came sixth in FEI CCI 2 Star and followed by 2nd position in FEI CCI 2 Star and 1st place at FEI CCI 3 Star.

“There was intense pressure to come back at FEI CCI 4 star level. We soon were competing at FEI CCI 4 star in Sept, we finished 15th with the first qualification achieved. We finally qualified FEI CCI 4 long format, the last event of 2019 which was an Olympic Qualifier. We have never reached this level in our competitive history, we were so inexperienced but had only and chance, Allah empowered me and Azad Kashmir and we successfully secured Olympic qualification,” he said.

Usman revealed that he has invested millions form his own pocket during list 15 years to achieve Olympic qualification.

"I have invested Rs28-30 crores in the last 15 years towards running a training camp in Australia. Do we have another athlete in the history of competitive sport in Pakistan who has invested that much money from his own pocket? I have remained sponsorless and have never chased anyone. All my competition fee, vet bills, coaching, accommodation and international travels are self-funded,” he said.

“I can always return to workforce but it will take away the 100 per cent focus and dedication required to be an Olympic athlete. I need to find revenue to empower Team Pakistan that includes my coach, vet, groom and horse travel to Tokyo, I think it is now state responsibility. The hard work to qualify is done. Let us now focus on securing funds to cover our training and travel expenses to Tokyo 2020 where Pakistan is to enter for the first time in equestrian history,” Usman highlighted.