Akhal-Teke Horse Conquers World Arena Once Again
Within the framework of his visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the National Leader of the Turkmen people arrived at the venue of the "Iň owadan bezelen at" competition. Holding such international events on the European continent gives new impetus to bringing together peoples of different countries. The world championship is not only a prestigious sporting event but also opens broad opportunities to become acquainted with the rich culture of the Turkmen people, its national values, its contribution to world cultural heritage, as well as its traditions and customs. The events being held reveal the content and deep meaning of this year's motto, "Independent Neutral Turkmenistan — the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses." The jury of the international competition, which included representatives from various countries of the world and international organizations in the field of horse breeding, was able to duly evaluate the conformation of the horses, the distinctive features of their coats, and their behavior on the grounds. There are currently more than 250 horse breeds in the world. It is gratifying to note that Akhal-Teke horses rank among the top three purebred, elite horse breeds of international significance for the development of cultural horse breeding. This serves as yet another vivid confirmation of the world community's recognition of the national value created by our ancestors over the centuries. Numerous admirers of the "heavenly" horses were able to appreciate the unique beauty of the descendants of the renowned horses that laid the main lines in the selective breeding of purebred Akhal-Teke horses. The golden sheen that is one of the characteristic features of Akhal-Teke horses, their unique appearance, speed, strength and endurance — all of this is the result of many years of dedicated work by experienced horse breeders, selection specialists and skilled trainers who have turned their craft into a true art. The fame of the Akhal-Teke horses continues to grow throughout the world. At all times, these amazing creatures have won people's hearts with their majestic appearance. According to the jury's decision, the winner of the world championship was announced at the beauty contest. A black horse named Yyndam, belonging to the stable of A. Martinez of France, was brought out onto the grounds. This horse, which won the title of absolute champion, was greeted with thunderous applause. Afterward, at the "Maya Delorez" arena at the Pilbergen equestrian sports complex, an awards ceremony for the winners of the world championship was held, along with a concert. Here the Hero-Arkadag was greeted with thunderous applause. The floor was then given to the Hero-Arkadag. Noting that the results of the world championship dedicated to the Akhal-Teke horse — the legendary treasure of the East and the national pride of the Turkmen people — were being summed up, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan emphasized that this event occupies a special place in the history of world horse breeding. The Akhal-Teke horse is not only the embodiment of beauty, speed and endurance, but also a living monument to the centuries-old history of the Turkmen people, its faithful companion. Today we are witnessing how the Akhal-Teke horse unites peoples, continents and cultures. As noted, Turkmenistan consistently supports initiatives aimed at the broad popularization of Akhal-Teke horses in the world, the development of equestrian sport, and the strengthening of international cooperation in this sphere. In these days, the town of Kronenberg has become the capital of world Akhal-Teke horse breeding; more than 80 magnificent Akhal-Teke horses, arriving from various countries of the world, have become a true adornment of this international event, — stated the Hero-Arkadag. The beauty contests and equestrian competitions held as part of the championship vividly demonstrated the unique qualities of the Akhal-Teke horses — their endurance, intelligence and abilities. The current championship also brought together masters of the arts. As part of a creative competition, artists, sculptors and photographers revealed, through their works, the beauty, grace and swiftness of the Akhal-Teke horse. An exhibition of horse ornaments and Turkmen carpets dedicated to the art of horse breeding, as well as an exhibition-fair, were held at a high level. The performances of Turkmen artists and the world-famous "Galkynyş" National Horse Games Group created a special festive atmosphere. Emphasizing the special significance of the open session of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding held as part of the championship, as well as the scientific conference dedicated to Akhal-Teke horses, the Hero-Arkadag warmly thanked the Government and people of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for their hospitality and for creating every opportunity to hold this historic event. Addressing the winners and prize-holders, the National Leader of the Turkmen people noted that their achievements testify to their boundless love for the Akhal-Teke horse and the enormous work they have done, wishing everyone new successes and victories in their future endeavors. The Hero-Arkadag then announced that, on behalf of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the main prize — the "Grand Prix" in the category "World Champion Among Akhal-Teke Horses" — was being presented to the winner of the current competition, and he congratulated the owner of the magnificent horse on this wonderful victory. Once again sincerely thanking all the participants of the celebration, the Hero-Arkadag wished the international Akhal-Teke equestrian community unity, prosperity and new victories. The results of the competition were then summed up. In a solemn setting, the winner of the "World Champion 2026 Among Akhal-Teke Horses" contest was announced. The winner of the world championship in equestrian sport and the Akhal-Teke horse beauty contest, held in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as the absolute champion and holder of the main "World Champion" award, was the black horse Yyndam, belonging to A. Martinez of France. On behalf of the President of Turkmenistan, the Hero-Arkadag solemnly presented the winner with the keys to a modern passenger car. A. Martinez accepted the keys with deep gratitude and pressed them to his forehead. Following the noble tradition of the Turkmen people, the new car was sprinkled with flour and decorated with aladja. The champion emphasized that receiving such a high honor would be an unforgettable event in his life. A. Martinez expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Hero-Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar for their special attention to the development of horse breeding and for creating broad opportunities for representatives of this field. The winner of the "Ýaş atlaryň çempiony" category was the stallion Meledag, belonging to the International Akhal-Teke Equestrian Sports Complex. The winner was presented with a cash prize of 10,000 euros, as well as the competition's Cup. In the "Ýewropanyň iň gowy bedewi" category, the winner was the horse Agana Shael, belonging to private horse breeder A. Bailey of the French Republic. The winner was awarded a cash prize of 10,000 euros and the competition's Cup. In the "Iň owadan bezelen at" competition, first place was taken by the bay stallion Toyly, belonging to the Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan. The laureate was awarded a cash prize of 5,000 euros and the competition's Cup. The winners of the Akhal-Teke horse beauty contest were then announced. In the competition among young horses aged 1 to 2 years, the winner was the stallion Jerengözli, belonging to the International Akhal-Teke Equestrian Sports Complex. The winner was presented with a cash prize of 3,000 euros and the competition's Cup. Among three-year-old horses, the winner was the horse Gunesh, belonging to the International Akhal-Teke Equestrian Sports Complex. The winner was awarded a cash prize of 3,000 euros and the competition's Cup. The title of winner of the beauty contest among 3–4-year-old horses went to the horse Ming-de-Akhal, belonging to the stable of S. Playa of France. The winner received a cash prize of 3,000 euros and the competition's Cup. In the competition among Akhal-Teke horses aged 5 years and older, the winner was the stallion Yagshydja-Ovadan from the stable of B. Mamelekov of Ukraine, who was awarded a cash prize of 3,000 euros and the competition's Cup. In the dressage competition, demonstrating the beauty and gracefulness of the horses' movements, the winner was the horse Bady-Saba of Ukrainian horse breeder Liliana. The winner received a cash prize of 3,000 euros and the competition's Cup. In the show jumping competition, the winner was Ykhlas Chopanov, an athlete from the National Equestrian Sports Center of Turkmenistan, who was awarded a cash prize of 3,000 euros and the competition's Cup. Then, as part of the world championship among Akhal-Teke horses, the results of the international creative competition for the artistic depiction of the beauty of horses in art were announced, in which sculptors, artists, jewelers, carpet-weaving masters and photographers took part. The winner of the competition for the best sculptural work was P. Patdykov, a lecturer at the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan, who was presented with a cash prize of 1,500 euros. The laureate of the competition for the best painting was A. Atakhanov, a lecturer at the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan. He was awarded a cash prize of 1,500 euros. In the category for the best carpet piece, the winner was O. Amanjayeva, chief specialist of the "Türkmenhaly" State Association. She was presented with a cash prize of 1,500 euros. The winner of the photography competition was Ukrainian photographer V. Osovsky, who received a cash prize of 1,500 euros. In the jewelry category, in which horse tack decorated with precious stones was presented, the winner was A. Sahedov, a teacher at the Turkmen State Special Art School. He was presented with a cash prize of 1,500 euros. As part of the world championship among Akhal-Teke horses, the "Galkynyş" National Horse Games Group was awarded a special prize for audience favorite — "Tomaşaçylaryň söýgisini gazanan." The winners of the international competition expressed heartfelt gratitude for the high appreciation of their work, assuring that they would continue to apply all their efforts, knowledge and skill to further enhance the fame of the Akhal-Teke horses across the planet. Special gratitude was expressed to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, the Hero-Arkadag, for the initiative to hold such a prestigious international competition and for its organization at a high level. Then, as a token of friendship and mutual respect between Turkmenistan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a Frisian-breed horse was presented as a gift to the Hero-Arkadag. At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, a concert was organized on the occasion of the successful holding of the world championship in equestrian sport and the Akhal-Teke horse beauty contest. The presence of the Hero-Arkadag lent particular significance and solemnity to the creative celebration. Performances by well-known artists from Turkmenistan and from abroad became a vivid continuation of the extensive program of events dedicated to the renowned Akhal-Teke horses. The concert program demonstrated the remarkable harmony of contemporary Turkmen musical art with the creative work of the peoples of the world. A special adornment of the celebration was the performance of the fiery national dance, kushtdepdi. The songs "Rowaç" and "Arzuw," written to the words of the Hero-Arkadag, sounded like a musical embodiment of noble dreams and goals that invariably lead to prosperity. The harmonious combination of melodies and the graceful movements of the Akhal-Teke horse on stage made an indelible impression on the audience. A kind of anthem was the beautiful song, performed jointly by all participants of the celebration, set to the words of the Hero-Arkadag, "Öňe, öňe, diňe öňe, jan Watanym Türkmenistan!" Colorful fireworks and an impressive drone show gave the participants of the celebration unforgettable moments. The Hero-Arkadag then invited the high-ranking guests present at the events to the celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the independence of Turkmenistan, and departed from the venue.