Ashgabat (Pakistan Point News - 08th May, 2019) This year on 26-28 April, in Turkmenistan the celebrations of the Turkmen Horse Day as usual were hold on a grand scale, and to which many solemn events were dedicated, where the legendary Akhal-Teke horse was the main character. Solemn events devoted to Horse Day started with presentation of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s new book “Horse - a Symbol of Loyalty and Happiness”. Guests from many countries took part in these celebrations. Among them are the delegates of chaired by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the 9th meeting of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding, the scientific conference and the specialized exhibition-fair "Turkmen Racing Horse and the World Art of Horse Breeding". Series of celebrations completed by festive events in Akhal-Teke Equest rian Complex.
The presentation of the new book by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov "Horse - a symbol of loyalty and happiness" On April 26, solemn presentations of the book “Horse - a Symbol of Loyalty and Happiness” were held. The publication, published on the eve of the National Holiday of the Turkmen Horse, became a wonderful gift of the head of state to compatriots and numerous Akhal- Teke Horse breed fans around the world. The new work of the head of state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who continued the series of his works on Akhal-Teke, is permeated with a feeling of the inseparable connection between times and generations, the history and the present day of Turkmenistan, its culture, where the horse occupies a special place. It is present in folklore and literature, visual arts and music, in the way of thinking and life of the Turkmen.
IX session of International Akhal-Teke Equestrian Association
On 26 April 2019, the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding held its 9thmeeting in Ashgabat, as part of the events celebrating the national holiday – Day of Turkmen Horse. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan and President of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding. The meeting discussed issues related to the worldwide development of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and equestrian sport and the work on the popularization of this breed of horse in the world, especially in the regions where the association established its branches. The President noted that current year is held in Turkmenistan under slogan “Turkmenistan – Home of Prosperity!” which entirely meets comprehensive and successful development of the state and social life. This is also related to such important sphere as breeding of Akhal-Teke horses, which are famous all around the world. Representatives of many foreign countries, including members of Akhal-Teke equestrian associations, legal entities and private horse breeders from different parts of the planet became full members of this unique structure from the moment of the foundation of International Akhal-Teke Equestrian Association. At present time, the Association includes 147 legal entities and individuals from 32 countries of the world and their number grows every year, which reflects expanding scales of cooperation.
International Exhibition-fair and Scientific Conference Turkmen Horse and World Art of Horse Breeding
On 26 April, 2019, The International Exhibition-Fair and the XI International Scientific Conference “Turkmen Horse and World Art of Horse Breeding” were held in Turkmen capital Ashgabat city.
“‘Heavenly horses’ are the pride of the nation, an invaluable asset, and therefore Turkmenistan pays significant attention to the development of the horse breeding industry and equestrian sports, creates all the necessary conditions for the training of experienced horse breeders, equestrians and specialists, improving their social and living conditions. Considering the great interest of the world community to our graceful fast horses, cooperation with the Akhal-Teke horse breeding associations in foreign countries develops steadily”’. Says the President of Turkmenistan in his congratulatory address to the participants. “The Ashgabat Equestrian Complex was reconstructed, the International Equestrian Complex was erected and put into operation in the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains in Akhal Velayat (Akhal province), the modern equestrian complexes were built in Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap and Mary regions, and training centres for equestrian sports were opened. All these vividly testify to the great attention paid to the development of the art of horse breeding”, says the President of Turkmenistan. It has become a good tradition in Turkmenistan to celebrate the National holiday – the Turkmen Horse Day at the high level. Various events and competitions are held in the country on occasion of the holiday with the aim to further increase the glory of the ‘heavenly horses’. It is notable that numerous guests from different countries take part in this year’s trade fair. The participation of leading foreign scientists, horse breeders and experts in the XI International Scientific Conference “A Turkmen Horse and World Art of Horse Breeding” proves the international recognition of Akhal-Teke horses - the elite horses among the purebred racers in the world. I believe that the 2019 International Trade Fair and XI International scientific conference will be of great importance for familiarizing the world community with the achievements of the horse-breeding industry of Turkmenistan, sharing experience with foreign colleagues, and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with interested companies and private horse breeders. In order to further develop the horse-breeding industry, specialists in Turkmenistan have business trips to foreign countries to participate in international exhibitions, competitions and conferences. This positive experience contributes to the success of major international events in Turkmenistan. Page 4 of 5 “We will continue attaching particular attention to organization of equestrian competitions, national equestrian games and international beauty contests among Akhal- Teke horses, improving the selection and pedigree breeding, as well as increasing the success of Turkmenistan horse-breeding industry”, emphasizes the President of Turkmenistan in his address. Numerous foreign guests from the equestrian industry, experts, hippology scientists, as well as fans of the ancient Turkmen breed and enthusiastic propagandists of renowned Akhal-Teke horses from Europe, Asia, and America arrived to participate in the festivities in Turkmenistan. World famous horse breeders, representatives of equestrian sports and tourism show great interest in Turkmenistan as the homeland of world-famous Akhal-Teke, and as a country that has made an invaluable contribution to the development of horse breeding at the international level, enriching the gene pool of many breeds, where a modern industry infrastructure has been created.
President of Turkmenistan takes part in the events in Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex
On 27 April 2019, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took part in the events in Akhal- Teke Equestrian Complex, which became the centre of the final celebrations of Turkmen Horse Day, where thousands of Turkmen citizens gathered in the morning, as well as foreign guests, scientists, horse breeders and businessmen. On the way to the complex, along the Kopetdag Avenue, festively decorated yurts were installed, and especially many of them were already at the entrance, where young people were met with the flags of Turkmenistan. On the territory of the equestrian complex, there are exhibitions of arts and crafts, folk crafts, museum valuables, as well as modern paintings, sculptures, artistic photography, publishing products and other works. All of them were united by the main theme - the Akhal- Teke horse as a unique national treasure and pride. One of the highlights in the series of celebrations was the final of the International Beauty Contest among Akhal-Teke horses held in the Akhal-Teke horse complex, where the best representatives of the breed were shown and the most brilliant of them, according to the professional jury, was recognized as Parasat. After, the racing competitions among master jockeys took place. This spectacular equestrian sport is very famous among Turkmen people and from the ancient times, it was used as a Page 5 of 5 method of testing the horse and development of its speed characteristics, which are the most outstanding merits of Akhal-Teke breed. It defines the destiny of the breed, its internal breed lines, founders and continuers of which are the fastest horses, the wines of the races. It hosted the races among senior master jockeys, the award ceremony of the winners of international Akhal-Teke horse beauty contest and artistic contest for the best image of horse on the threshold of National Turkmen Horse Celebration Holiday. Current competitions allowed again seeing the endurance and speed of Turkmen horses, which are the results of work of Turkmen coaches, and demonstrated filigree technique of skilled jockeys. On the eve, an awards ceremony was held on behalf of the head of state to the winners of the competition among creative figures who dedicated their works to the “heavenly” horses.
