A new CBBC documentary titled My Life: Me, My Horse and My Spear will follow the lives of two Bradford teenagers, 11-year-old Jaleel and 15-year-old Subhaan, as they participate in the ancient Pakistani sport of Neza Bazi. The documentary showcases the boys’ experiences as part of a new generation of British horse riders embracing this highly competitive sport, which involves galloping at full speed to strike wooden pegs in the ground using a long spear.
The film is set to air on CBBC and BBC iPlayer on March 17, and follows Jaleel and Subhaan during a Neza Bazi season, also known as Tent Pegging. This ancient Pakistani sport is gaining popularity in the UK, with main hubs in Bradford and Birmingham. The boys express their passion for the sport in the trailer, with Subhaan describing it as the ultimate sport where it’s him and his horse against everyone else, while Jaleel feels a sense of freedom and reality when riding towards success.
Tent pegging competitions involve various factors such as target size, types of weapons allowed, and speed of completion, with riders awarded points for each target based on execution. The sport has national and international competitions like the Tent Pegging World Cup and World Championships. Raja Raza Shan, a member of the British Tent Pegging Association, highlighted the cultural significance of events like these in bringing together communities, cultures, and youth, emphasizing their importance in the Bradford 2025 Culture.
