Among the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people, whose history stretches back thousands of years, the Akhal-Teke horse occupies a special place alongside exquisite carpets and fine jewelry. The elegance, sensitivity, speed, and loyalty of these magnificent horses embody the tireless dedication and invaluable efforts of our ancestors. Bred on Turkmen soil, the Akhal-Teke horse symbolizes the harmony between nature and human ingenuity and represents beauty, grace, and swiftness. The fame of the Akhal-Teke—one of the oldest horse breeds and the foundation of Turkmen horse breeding—has spread across the globe for centuries.

The placement of the majestic image of the Akhal-Teke horse at the center of the State Emblem of Turkmenistan during the early years of the country's independence, as its most treasured national symbol, reflects the nation's belief that its bright future is inseparably linked to its faithful companion—the horse—and its swift gallop. Thanks to the noble initiatives of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, and the tireless efforts of the President of Turkmenistan, the Akhal-Teke horse—both the pride of the Turkmen people and a treasure of all humanity—have become a symbol of the country's rapid development and the creative spirit of the Turkmen nation during the era of the Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State.

The designation of 2026 under the motto "Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses" clearly demonstrates that the country is confidently advancing toward new achievements, inspiring every citizen of Turkmenistan to strive toward ambitious goals.

In the modern era, the global prestige of the Akhal-Teke horse continues to grow. The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who hold these "heavenly" horses in the highest regard, devote great attention to preserving the purity of the breed, increasing the Akhal-Teke population, and promoting the national equestrian tradition. These objectives have been established among the key priorities of the country's state policy.

Efforts in this field are carried out on the basis of centuries-old national traditions while incorporating the best international practices. As a result, the horse-breeding industry has reached a new stage of development. Extensive work is underway to modernize specialized infrastructure, develop equestrian sports, increase the number of purebred horses and preserve their genetic heritage, improve the training of riders and horse breeders, and expand international cooperation. This is only natural, as the Akhal-Teke horse is an inseparable part of the cultural heritage of the Turkmen people.

The inscription of "Art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and traditions of horses’ decoration" on UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity has further enhanced the international prestige of these "heavenly" horses, which are regarded as a unique treasure of both national and world culture.

This year, marking the 35th anniversary of Motherland's independence, numerous national and international events are planned to further promote the glory of the Akhal-Teke horse and popularize the country's equestrian traditions. These efforts are greatly supported by the achievements of the world-renowned "Galkynyş" National Equestrian Games Group, which has received numerous prestigious international awards, including honors at the International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo, Principality of Monaco.

The group's spectacular and captivating performances leave audiences deeply impressed and contribute to raising international awareness of the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Turkmen people, who have long upheld the principles of peace, friendship, and good-neighborly relations.

Overall, the events being held both in our country and abroad during the Year of "Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses" enrich the significance of the year commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Motherland's independence and further enhance the worldwide fame of the "heavenly" horses.