Esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov Attends the Festive Celebrations
On April 28, the country widely celebrated the National Day of the Turkmen Horse, on the occasion of which the main events took place at the International Ahalteke Equestrian Complex with the participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
In the period of the Revival of the New Era of the Powerful State, the millennia-old customs of our people and the ancient traditions of horse breeding are being enriched. Invaluable merit in preserving and enhancing the world glory of the Ahalteke horse belongs to the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and this activity continues worthily under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
Evidence of this is the names given to the new-born foals, Shahyr by the Hero-Arkadag and Ylham by Arkadagly Hero Serdar, taking into account the fact that this year, being held under the motto “Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Pyragy”, the 300th birth anniversary of the great poet and the thinker of the East Magtymguly Pyragy is widely and solemnly being celebrated.
Today, caring for horses of the Ahalteke breed, its popularisation and the enrichment of the traditions of horse breeding have reached a new level. One of the clear proofs of this is the foundation of Aba Annayev International Horse Breeding Academy in the new city of Arkadag.
Founded on the initiative of the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty and established in accordance with the relevant Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan, the higher educational institution will train highly qualified specialists in the field of horse breeding. The structure of the higher educational institution includes the faculties of horse breeding, equine veterinary medicine, equestrian sports, agricultural economics and tourism and national equestrian games. The Academy is supplied with advanced equipment, special teaching aids and innovative technologies for delivering lectures and conducting practical classes, seminars and research work.
In addition, a Horse Breeding Research and Production Centre was built in the city of Arkadag, the equipment of which meets international standards.
Everyone greeted President Serdar Berdimuhamedov with great enthusiasm.
The guest of honour of the holiday was Rustam Minnikhanov, the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, who specially visited our country those days.
Welcoming those gathered and exchanging warm congratulations, the head of state and the guest of honour entered the territory of the complex, which for a time turned into a city of craftsmen and needlewomen. The atmosphere of the holiday was enhanced by performances by folk groups and an exhibition of decorative and applied arts.
The “ak öý” yurts installed there, representing the capital, the city of Arkadag and the velayats of the country, with their integral attributes, recreated the way of life of an ancient Turkmen village. Women were engaged in weaving carpets, embroidering and making felt mats to the accompaniment of ancient tunes. The workshop of a jeweller, creating unique jewellery in front of the audience, was staged.
Museum exhibits and works of contemporary artists were also displayed there. Images of beautiful horses were captured in carpets, original sculptural compositions, engravings and photographs, and magnificent jewellery sets for the ceremonial vestments of horses testified to the great love for them.
The bright colours inherent in a real Turkmen fest was brought by the virtuoso playing the dutar by bagshies-musicians and the competition of wrestlers.
Head of State Serdar Berdimuhamedov, together with the guest of honour, watched the athletes demonstrating unique goresh wrestling techniques, their strength and dexterity.
In front of the main building of the International Ahalteke Equestrian Complex, masters of arts of the country met the participants of the celebration with a festive musical dedication.
Before a horse will delight everyone with its beauty, stature and agility, you need to put a lot of effort and painstaking work, knowledge, talent and love into it. The ancestors of the Turkmen worked hard in this direction, and the Ahalteke breed is a vivid confirmation of this. Our people are also capable to enthusiastically celebrate their successes and achievements.
Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is known to have devoted many scientific and literary works to “heavenly” horses, in which a huge layer of folk wisdom can be traced. Translated into different languages, these works became the property of the world community, playing a significant role in the rapid growth of interest in the Ahalteke horse breed.
And that day, in honour of the people’s favourite, the country once again organised a big colourful celebration, an integral attribute of which has long been horse racing.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the guest from the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation went to places specially designated for them.
Being a true connoisseur, expert and populariser of the legendary breed of “Nisean” horses, the Head of Turkmenistan, through his active participation and full support, makes a great contribution to the development of the national equestrian industry. A striking example of this is the presentation on the eve of the National Day of the Turkmen Horse of the keys to new flats in modern residential buildings, constructed in the “smart” city, to the teaching staff of Aba Annayev International Horse Breeding Academy, scientists of the Horse Breeding Scientific and Production Centre and horse breeders of the city of Arkadag.
The host announced the start of the festive races – the most prestigious competitions of the season.

It should be noted that, having created such a work of the highest art of folk breeders and trainers as the Ahalteke horse and having preserved the whole blood of these priceless horses, domestic horse breeders do not cease to nurture their best qualities.
The main feature of the national school for training sports horses is that the Turkmen do not train, but rather educate them. Experienced horse breeders note that the strong character and indomitability of the horse indicate that only if the foal is properly raised, it can become a kind and devoted friend to man.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov set tasks for specialists to expand the scientific base in breeding work using modern methods, to intensify the development of various types of equestrian sports in the country and to strengthen international cooperation in this sphere.
From century to century, from generation to generation, horse breeding traditions have been passed on, and today the glorious relay of reverent attitude towards the living heritage of the nation, which determined its historical destiny, continues.
As before, horse racing is extremely popular in Turkmenistan. The competition, which was watched with delight by spectators in the stands, lasted more than two hours. They demonstrated the agility and build of “heavenly” horses – the glory and pride of the Turkmen people.
Horse racing is also a test for jockeys. Equestrian sport requires courage, resourcefulness, perseverance and, of course, love for horses and the capability to understand them.
That day, seven races took place at various distances, in which dozens of horses took part demonstrating their best qualities.
In the first, 1,200-metre race, horses competed for the prize of the financial and economic complex.
The best horse was Yologly from the Ahalteke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan. Its rider was M. Kichigulov.
In the second, 1,200-metre race for the prize of the oil and gas complex, a horse Garayol of the State Association of the Food Industry of Turkmenistan took the lead. Its rider was K. Polayev.
In the third, 1,200-metre race for the prize of the trade complex, a horse Dorsekil, owned by the Ministry of Industry and Construction Production, came first to the finish line. Its rider was Y. Allanazarov.
In the fourth race, 1,600 metres long for the prize of the transport and communication complex, the winner was a horse Menzil of the State Frontier Service of Turkmenistan. Its rider was H. Nazkuliyev.
In the fifth race 1,600 metres as well, where the prize of the construction and industrial complex was competed for, a horse Shagirt II of the Ahalteke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan was the first to finish. Its rider was S. Chariyev.
In the sixth race of 1,800 metres for the prize of the agro-industrial complex, the leader was a horse Begzada of the Ahalteke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan. Its rider was Sh. Myradov, a 1st-year student at Aba Annayev Horse Breeding International Academy.
An intense rivalry for the main prize of the President of Turkmenistan and the Challenge Cup took place in the final, seventh race. The first to cover the distance of 1,800 metres was the horse Bezirgen, belonging to the Ahalteke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan. Its rider was B. Agamyradov.
Between races, musical performances were organised. There were melodies and songs of bagshies, which sang the glorious past and the grandiose transformations of our time.
Then a ceremony to present on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov valuable prizes to the winners of the holiday races and the marathon and show jumping competitions, held that week, took place.
In the long-distance marathon, not only speed qualities, but also athletic endurance with the best result were demonstrated by the horse Meshkhur, belonging to the Ahalteke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan, its rider was O. Annayev, a 1st-year student at Aba Annayev International Horse Breeding Academy.
Ahalteke horses have become famous in the history of world horse breeding for their participation in long treks, demonstrating amazing endurance. Many of their records cannot be repeated even today.
The first place in the show jumping competition was taken by a horse Toychy, belonging to the Equestrian Federation of Turkmenistan, with its jockey Ya. Garajayev, a 1st-year student at Aba Annayev International Horse Breeding Academy.
After the award ceremony for the winners of the marathon and show jumping competitions, valuable gifts, large cash prizes and diplomas were presented to the participants of the races. In addition, the leader of the final race was awarded a large cash prize and the Challenge Cup of the President of Turkmenistan.
Receiving well-deserved awards and expressing sincere gratitude to the President of the country for his concern for the development of national horse breeding and equestrian sports, the jockeys assured they would make every effort to preserve the renowned traditions of horse breeding and to further popularise the Ahalteke breed.
At the end of the award ceremony, a festive atmosphere still reigned at the site of the complex, music sounded, creative groups performed for the Turkmen people and guests of the country who were there on the occasion of the National Day of the Turkmen Horse. Then President Serdar Berdimuhamedov warmly said goodbye to everyone and left the venue.
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On the same day, events, which included concerts, exhibitions, literary, musical and poetry evenings and the honouring domestic horse breeders and trainers on the occasion of the National Day of the Turkmen Horse were held throughout the country.