Pakistan’s top eventer Usman Khan reclaims region’s top spot

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan’s leading eventer, Usman Khan, has once again underscored his stature on the international stage after securing the top regional ranking in the latest International Equestrian Federation (FEI) standings.
According to the FEI’s newly released 2025 rankings, France-based Usman Khan has been placed No. 1 in the Eventing Zone covering the Middle East and Africa. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the Lahore-born athlete, who has represented Pakistan with distinction on the global circuit for nearly two decades.
The FEI divides the world into six geographical eventing zones to identify regional leaders and determine championship standings. Usman’s top ranking has consequently placed Pakistan at No. 1 in the Middle East and Africa Zone, a rare and notable feat for the country in equestrian sport.
Usman is no stranger to the summit. He previously dominated the same regional rankings from 2019 to 2021 before his career was abruptly interrupted by a devastating accident. His return to the top is being widely viewed as a testament to his resilience, discipline and enduring class.
Regarded as the most accomplished eventer in Pakistan’s history, Usman twice qualified for the Olympic Games, though circumstances beyond his control denied him the opportunity to compete. After qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, his campaign was cut short by the death of his horse, Azad Kashmir. Later, while on the verge of securing qualification again, Usman suffered a near-fatal accident in Australia just before the finish line of an event. His horse, Kasheer, died instantly, while Usman was critically injured and hospitalised. Following prolonged and intensive treatment in Australia, he made a full recovery.
Demonstrating remarkable perseverance, Usman returned to elite competition and earned qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics after an impressive performance at a four-star FEI event in Mallow, Ireland. However, he eventually withdrew at the final stage and did not compete in Paris due to undisclosed reasons.
Usman has also qualified for the Asian Games on four consecutive occasions, an extraordinary record. Yet, he has been unable to compete in the continental event, largely due to a lack of institutional and financial support.
Now permanently based in Paris, Usman continues to train rigorously in one of the world’s most competitive equestrian environments. His focus has shifted firmly to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a goal that appears increasingly attainable given his experience, skill and recent form. Observers believe that meaningful backing from the Pakistan government and the corporate sector could enable him to overcome remaining barriers and realise that ambition.
Trained in Australia and seasoned by years of competition in Europe, Usman has dedicated his life to representing Pakistan through eventing. Over the past two decades, he has often funded his sporting career through personal employment, a rare and striking example of self-sacrifice in Pakistan’s sporting landscape. Despite his credentials, he was recently denied an International Olympic Committee scholarship, a decision that has raised questions about support mechanisms for elite athletes in the country.
Even so, Usman Khan continues to carry Pakistan’s flag with distinction, building a formidable reputation on the European circuit and reinforcing his status as the undisputed standard-bearer of Pakistani eventing.