Tent pegging is a very ancient equestrian sport that was invented by the cavalry in approximately the 4th century BC. The term can be used to refer to both the whole class of mounted cavalry games (also called equestrian skill at arms games) and to a specific cavalry event involving ground targets. The specific game of tent pegging became the most popular of the equestrian skill at arms games in the 20 th century, and it was then that the entire class of games took on its name.

It is not known exactly where or when the specific game of tent pegging first originated but it was popularized and spread around the world by Asian and European empires. It is possible that it dates back as far as 326 B.C when Alexander the Great invaded India.

The sport was invented as a way for cavalries to practice and develop skill with their swords from horse back. The most common theory of the game's origin is that it originated in India as a training exercise for cavaliers who might face war elephants in battle. War elephants were a common military tool in India. They were generally used in stampedes to trample the enemy. The goal of the cavalier was to pierce the sensitive area behind the elephants toenail, causing the animal to rear in pain and throw his mahout (elephant driver). This method of battle is believed to have been used by Alexander the Great and his soldiers when they invaded India.

The name of the game, however comes from the fact that the skills learned from practicing it can be used to attack enemy camps and uproot their tent pegs, collapsing their tents around them.

Today the game involves horseman riding at a full gallop with a sword or a lance. The goal is to pierce, pick up, and carry away a small ground target or a series of small ground targets. The targets used are usually wooden or cardboard pegs. The game can be played individually or with a team.

The other games that sometimes fall under the name of tent pegging include: ring jousting, lemon sticking, quintain tilting and Parthian. The goal of Ring Jousting is for the horseman, riding at a full gallop, to stick his lance through a suspended ring. The goal for Lemon sticking is for the rider to slice or stab a suspended lemon. Quintain tilting is a game where a horseman charges a swaying mannequin, and last of all, Parthian is a form of mounted archery.

Tent pegging first became recognized when it was mad an official event in 1982 New Delhi Asian games by the Olympic Council of Asia. Today it is practiced world wide, but is especially popular in Australia, Afghanistan, India, Israel, Pakistan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The sport is largely dominated by mounted police forces and cavalry regiments, but is enjoyed by the public as well.