Tentpeggers chase World Cup berth during Cairo trek

Three members of a Gunnedah-based family are gearing up to represent Australia in the World Cup qualifiers for tentpegging in the Egyptian capital of Cairo.

Michael Craig and his son Steven were selected in the Australian team of five riders, while Michael’s wife and Steven’s mum Renee was appointed coach.

The remainder of the Australian team comprises Victorian residents Donna Davidson, Christine Staats and Christine’s son Aedan, while the team manager is Jo Watson.

The Australian team will board the plane next Wednesday before encountering Egypt, Bahrain, Canada, Libya, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen in the World Cup qualifiers from December 7 to 13.

Egypt is among four countries hosting qualifying events to decide which countries make it through to the 2026 World Cup in Jordan.

Nearly 30 countries are vying for spots in the World Cup, including Australia, Canada, USA, UK, Belarus, Iraq, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Sudan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Germany, Kuwait, Norway and Saudi Arabia.

Renee said points would be earned “by hitting our targets and the time between the start and finish lines” to determine the placegetters.

“To qualify for the 2026 World Cup to be held in Jordan, you must place in the top two at each qualifier event,” she said.

“The third placed country will have a chance to compete at a second chance qualifier, also to be held at Jordan.

“The top two teams from this event will make up the first two teams to make it through to the 2026 World Cup, estimated to be held in the fourth quarter of 2026.”

Renee said the Australians weren’t worried by the fact that their opponents “tentpeg on a grander scale” compared to Australia.

“As much as we are all excited and nervous, mostly the team is focused and determined to do Australia proud,” she said.

“We are all feeling excited and nervous at the same time, to be travelling to the other side of the world to represent Australia in a sport we love.

“You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t.”

Renee said the Australian team doesn’t really know what to expect in Cairo.

“While most of our riders have already competed overseas at one point or another, none have competed in a competition of this scale,” she said.

The Australian coach said even though the Australian players hadn’t had much chance to train together due to its members being in two different states, “they are all familiar with how each other rides, as tentpegging in Australia is a smaller sport compared to others”.

“Tentpegging in Australia is like a second family,” Renee said.

“Having to ride horses we have never even seen before, (we) would just throw our training mostly out the window.

“We do get a small period of time the day before the competition to ride our horses and have a small training session as a team.”

Steven, Renee and Aedan meanwhile were part of the champion Gunnedah tentpeggers team at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show, with the Gunnedah team also qualifying for the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

“This will be a very big year for us,” Renee said.