What is tent pegging?

Tent pegging is any contest that involves a horse and some kind of bladed weapon. Although horses aren't used in cavalry any more, some of the skills are still preserved.

Most specifically, tent pegging means riding at a gallop with a sword or lance and picking up a small ground target. Without slowing down. More advanced riders might use multiple targets. It originated in India.

(Needless to say, you don't want your horse to be too tall for this).

Image source: Mike Bostock via Wikimedia Commons.