The events held in our country and at the international level dedicated to the Akhal-Teke steeds, which are a symbol of the current happy epoch, glorify the "heavenly" horses throughout the world and, together with them, enhance the authority of Turkmenistan. This further increases the interest of the peoples of the world in the glorious history of the Turkmen people, rooted in the depths of centuries, and in their national heritage, which has become an integral part of universal culture. One of such landmark events, arousing enormous interest not only in our prosperous Fatherland but also among admirers of steeds throughout the world, was the "Amul-Hazar" horse ride, which started today near the ancient fortress of Amul, located in the vicinity of the city of Turkmenabat – the administrative center of the Lebap velayat.
In this historical horse ride, organized thanks to the efforts of Hero-Arkadag and the President of Turkmenistan within the framework of the deeply meaningful motto of 2026 – "Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses" – five representatives each from the cities of Arkadag and Ashgabat, as well as from each velayat of the country, are taking part – a total of 35 riders on steeds. The event, held in the year marked by the glorious 35th anniversary of the sacred independence of the Fatherland, is intended to foster in the younger generation a love for the national heritage, including the Akhal-Teke horses.
In Turkmenistan, under the wise leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, large-scale measures initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, are being implemented to study, carefully preserve and pass on to future generations the heritage of the ancestors. Hero-Arkadag, being an admirer of Akhal-Teke horses, pays great attention to the study of the history of the purebred Turkmen steeds – one of the pearls of the national treasure – the traditions of horse breeding, generated by the energy and boundless love of the ancestors for horses. Particular importance is attached to the centuries-old experience and art of horse breeding, their organic combination with the achievements of modern science and the bringing of national horse-breeding mastery to the world arena. The wonderful books of the National Leader of the Turkmen people "Akhalteke – Our Pride and Glory," "Swift Step of Race Horse," "The Horse – a Symbol of Loyalty and Happiness" serve as a guiding landmark for the younger generation.
The development of horse-breeding art in the country, the multiplication of the number of purebred Akhal-Teke steeds and their popularization in the world, as well as the broad conditions created for this, are inextricably linked with the name of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The modern equestrian complexes built in all corners of Turkmenistan in the era of the Revival of the new epoch of the powerful state, the activity of the Aba Annayev International Horse Breeding Academy and the Gorogly State Horse Circus in the city of Arkadag, the modernized Akhal-Teke Horse Complex of the President of Turkmenistan in the vicinity of Ashgabat, as well as the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding with its headquarters in the capital, testify to the fact that the art of horse breeding inherited from the ancestors is developing on its native land in accordance with the spirit of the current happy epoch. The celebrations held annually on the last Sunday of April in the white-marble capital – Ashgabat – and in all regions of the country with great inspiration on the occasion of the Turkmen Horse Holiday, the beauty contests of Akhal-Teke horses and races with the participation of experienced riders, including master mentors, have become a subject of particular pride of our people.
The noble undertakings in the field of horse breeding, implemented in our Fatherland, which is confidently following toward new heights of progress under the wise leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as thanks to the efforts of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, find broad recognition on the international arena. In the modern era, the national heritage, which occupies a special place in world culture, is being filled with new meaning and appears before the world as a symbol of the high dignity of the Turkmen state and its people.
The winning by the glorified "Galkynyş" National Equestrian Games Group, created on the initiative of Hero-Arkadag and which has repeatedly become a prize-winner of international competitions and prestigious circus festivals, of the Golden Award and special prizes at the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo (Principality of Monaco) at the beginning of last year, as well as the awarding of international certificates of the World Circus Federation and the European Circus Association to this ensemble for its great contribution to circus art within the framework of the 48th International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo at the beginning of this year, became a triumphant recognition by the world community of the achievements of Turkmen circus art. The popularization of Akhal-Teke steeds in the world was promoted by the successes achieved in the year "Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses" at races and beauty contests in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan – the city of Kazan, in the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as the World Championship of Equestrian Sports and Beauty Contest among Akhal-Teke Horses held in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Turning to the past, one can see that Turkmen steeds are inextricably linked with the glorious history of our people. Starting from the times of the progenitor Oguz Han and Gorogly Bek and up to our days, the Akhal-Teke horses shared a single fate and life path with the brave riders. In history, there were many horse rides that left an indelible mark and demonstrated the endurance, speed and ability of the steeds, famous in antiquity as the "Nisean horses," to cover long distances in harsh conditions. A vivid example of this is the legendary "Ashgabat-Moscow" horse ride with a length of more than 4,000 kilometers, accomplished in 1935 by 27 brave Turkmen riders, as well as the horse rides of Turkmen girls in 1936 along the routes "Charjev-Ashgabat," "Kaka-Ashgabat," "Kara-Kala – Ashgabat" and "Kerki-Ashgabat."
A special page in the history of Turkmenistan was written by the horse ride organized in 2017, on the eve of the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, which were held at a high level and ended with the triumph of Turkmen sport, with the participation of 17 riders, covering all regions of the country. The completion of the ride on the day of the opening of the Asian Games and the lighting of the bowl of the flame of the competitions for the first time in history by a rider on an Akhal-Teke steed has been forever imprinted in our hearts as a vivid testimony of the veneration and love of the Turkmen people for their horses.
On the occasion of the "Amul-Hazar" horse ride, called upon to add to the list of events of the current glorious year, a bright celebration unfolded in the Karakum desert, near the ancient fortress of Amul. The Turkmen yurts set up here and the large-scale exhibition organized allowed the participants, including representatives of the older generation, workers of various industries, and student youth, to immerse themselves in the distinctive world of the national cultural heritage. The festive atmosphere was enhanced by songs performed by cultural figures and masters of arts, glorifying the great undertakings of Hero-Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar, the happy epoch and the Akhal-Teke steeds glorified throughout the world, as well as by the fiery performances of dance and folklore ensembles and the inspired melodies of bagshy musicians.
At the end of the cultural program, with the blessing of the esteemed elders, the start of the "Amul-Hazar" horse ride was given. To the sounds of music, 35 riders on magnificent Akhal-Teke steeds set off on their journey. Along the route through the Karakum desert, cultural and art figures of the eastern region of the country and creative ensembles inspired the riders with their folklore numbers and a cappella singing.
The participants of the horse ride, admiring the beauties of the Karakum desert, mountains and plains, as well as the modern buildings and structures testifying to the prosperous life of our people, will cover a path with a total length of 1,755 kilometers. Of this distance, 108 kilometers run through the territory of the Lebap velayat, 461 kilometers – through the territory of the Mary velayat, 473 kilometers – through the territory of the Ahal velayat, 33 kilometers – through the territory of the Dashoguz velayat and 680 kilometers – through the territory of the Balkan velayat. The key to the successful holding of the "Amul-Hazar" horse ride, which will add to the glorious events of the current significant year, is the fearlessness of the brave riders, as well as the endurance, devotion to the owner and speed of the Akhal-Teke steeds.
We wish the participants of the horse ride a happy journey!
