In the Ahalteke International Equestrian Complex, on the occasion of the National Holiday of Turkmen horse racing, the main festive celebrations took place with the participation of esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The activity for the glorification and popularization of Ahalteke horses in the world, which was started by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, continues today under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan. This is evidenced by the names given to newborn foals Shahir – Hero-Arkadag and Ilham – Arkadagly Hero Serdar, taking into account the fact that the 300th anniversary of the great poet and thinker is widely and solemnly celebrated this year, held under the slogan “The Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Pyragy”.
In the courtyard of the International Ahalteke Equestrian Complex, museum exhibits and works of modern artists were exhibited. The images of beautiful horses are imprinted in carpets, original sculptural compositions, engravings and photographs, and magnificent jewelry sets for dressage of horses testify to the great love for them. The bright color inherent in a real Turkmen wedding brought a virtuoso game to the dutar of Bagshi (folk musicians), as well as a competition of brave men. According to the established good tradition, in honor of the national pride of the people, a large colorful party was organized on a large scale, and horse races have been an integral attribute of it for a long time. Jumping is also an exam for jockeys. Equestrian sports require a person’s courage, resourcefulness, perseverance, and, of course, love for riders and understanding of skills.
On the occasion of the National Holiday of the Turkmen horse, seven races were held at different distances, in which dozens of horses took part, demonstrating their best qualities. So, in the first race of 1200 meters, they competed for the prize of the financial and economic complex. The first horse to the finish line was Yelogly (Yazgeldi-Novbahar), belonging to the Ahalteke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan. The second race was at a distance of 1200 meters, in which the jumpers competed for the prize of the oil and gas complex. Garael (Karazat-Elsona) of the State Union of the Food Industry of Turkmenistan managed to reach the finish line first. Hazret Babaliyev was prepared for the competition, and Kerimberdi Polayev was the rider. In the third race, the 1200-meter jump was contested for the prize of the shopping complex. During the exciting jumps, the winner was the horse Dorsekil (Dostluk- -Gulnahal), which belongs to the Ministry of Industry and Construction Industry. Ahmet Muhammedov was prepared for the competition, and Islamguli Allanazarov was the rider. In the fourth race, 1600 meters, the best horses and tricycles competed for the prize of the transport and communication complex. And the first to reach the finish line was jumper Menzil (MertebeliGulzada), a gray mast belonging to the State Border Service of Turkmenistan, who was trained by racing coach Hemra Gayipnazarov, and the rider was Halmyrat Nazkuliyev. The fifth race was for the construction and industrial complex. In the jumps, over 1600 meters among the horses of four and older years, the rider of the Ahalteke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan gelding Shagirt II (Shakhan-Kesearkach) came to the finish line first. The rider was prepared for the competition by the master jockey-trainer of Turkmenistan, Orazmyrat Annaliyev, and Serdar Chariyev became the rider. In the sixth race of 1800 meters for the prize of the agro-industrial complex, horses of four years and older competed. The first horse to the finish line was Begzada (Bahrain-Armyt) of the Ahalteke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan. Its seyis is Salih Rahimov, Honored Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan, and his rider is Shageldi Myradov.
In the final, the seventh race at 1800 meters, the winner of the main prize of the President of Turkmenistan and the passing Cup was the horse Bezirgen (Bahrain-Kaknus), belonging to the Ahalteke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan. His successor was Honored horse breeder of Turkmenistan Maksatmyrat Agamyradov, and the rider was master-jockey Begenchmyrat Aghamyradov. As part of the celebrations, a ceremony was also held on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to award valuable prizes to the winners of the festive races, as well as the Turkmen race, marathon and competition held on the occasion of the National Holiday. In the longdistance marathon, not only speed qualities, but also sports endurance were demonstrated with the best result by the rider Meshhur, who belongs to the Akhalteke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan, and the rider O. Annayev, a student of the International Academy of Horse Breeding named after Aba Annayeva. The first place in the contest was won by the horse Toychi, who belongs to the Equestrian Federation of Turkmenistan, with the jockey – Ya. Garajayev, a student of the International Academy of Horse Breeding named after Aba Annayev.
The jockeys who received the award assured the President of Turkmenistan that, using the opportunities created by the state, they will make every effort to preserve the famous traditions of horse breeding and further popularize the Ahalteke breed.
Azat AYTJANOV,
Leading Researcher, Animal Science Department
Scientific and Production Center for Horse Breeding
State Association “Turkmen Atlary
(from the pages of the magazine “Heavenly Ahalteke Horses” No.2(26)2024)