THE TEAMS

MEL teams are city-based franchises, each representing a major urban center of Pakistan. Franchise teams compete as unified units across all three disciplines, making rider selection, team strategy, and multi-discipline roster depth central to every club's competitive identity.

The Franchise Model

Each MEL franchise is licensed to an ownership group that meets MEL's financial, operational, and governance criteria. Licenses are granted through a competitive bidding process overseen by MEL and Strawberry Sports Management. License holders enter binding operational agreements covering training facility standards, media and branding obligations, horse welfare protocols, and code of conduct requirements. The franchise model provides long-term stability for the league while incentivizing sustained investment by owners.
Team Composition

Every franchise roster is organized across all three disciplines. The following distribution applies:

Each franchise is led by a Team Principal, who carries overall management responsibility, and a Head Coach who oversees performance across all three disciplines. Specialist coaches per discipline are required. Every franchise must maintain a support staff meeting MEL’s minimum standards for horse welfare, including an equine veterinarian, physiotherapist, farrier, and dedicated grooms.

Tent Pegging

Majority of total squad

Primary competition pillar; carries the greatest share of available match points per head-to-head contest

Show Jumping

Specialist rider squad

Significant contributor to cumulative match score; delivers international technical appeal

Dressage

Specialist rider squad

Technical depth and elegance; completes the all-discipline franchise identity

The Annual Player Draft

Teams are assembled primarily through MEL’s Annual Player Draft. Riders who wish to compete in MEL register through the official registration process and are placed in one of three performance tiers per discipline. Franchise owners bid for available riders within a salary cap framework designed to maintain competitive balance across the league. Riders not selected in the Draft may be acquired through the MEL Transfer Window, which opens after the Draft closes and shuts before the League Phase begins.

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Events

International Riders

MEL welcomes international participation. Each franchise may register a defined quota of international riders per discipline, subject to MEL’s International Player Policy issued before each season. The inclusion of international riders raises the technical standard of competition, creates cross-border interest in the league, and connects MEL’s franchises to the global equestrian community.

Rundura SprintFest

September 14, 2025
Central Park City Loop
Expect energetic vibes, live music, and a fast-paced course through the heart of the city.
Sign up now

Horse Welfare Standards

MEL sets minimum standards for the care, conditioning, and welfare of all horses participating in the league. These standards are aligned with FEI welfare guidelines. Every horse is subject to a pre-match veterinary inspection before it may compete. Franchise owners bear direct and continuing responsibility for the welfare of horses under their franchise’s care throughout the season. Non-compliance with welfare standards is a serious disciplinary matter under MEL’s rulebook.

Rundura SprintFest

September 14, 2025
Central Park City Loop
Expect energetic vibes, live music, and a fast-paced course through the heart of the city.
Sign up now

Mega Equestrian League. Presented by Strawberry Sports Management, Pakistan’s first and only professional sports management organization

Three Disciplines. One Championship. One Nation.

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