Azad Kashmir qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with Pakistani rider Usman Khan

© Tazzie Eggins Photography

By Equestrian Life

Pakistan Eventing’s Azad Kashmir, a New Zealand thoroughbred qualified to represent Pakistan at the Tokyo Olympics tragically passed away last week due to a severe heart attack.

Azad Kashmir’s rider Usman Khan, who was planning to compete with the gelding at Tokyo in 2021, was the first Pakistani rider to qualify for the Olympics since 1947.  His last competition with Azad Kashmir was Tonimbuk International Horse Trials in March this year, at which the combination placed 4th.

Bred in New Zealand and initially trained by Anne-Marie Styles, Azad Kashmir was previously named “Here to Stay”. Having won New Zealand’s Young Event Horse Championships, the gelding was sold to Western Australian Belinda Isbister who produced him to CCI4* level prior to his sale to Pakistan Eventing.

Our thoughts are with Pakistan Eventing, and the many people who knew and cared for Azad Kashmir.

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