Thanks to the unprecedented efforts of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, as well as the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Akhal-Teke horses—whose roots go back thousands of years and whose greatness has been glorified through the ages—are entering the global stage as a treasure and cultural heritage of the Turkmen people in this era of the Revival of a new epoch of the powerful state.

The construction of modern equestrian sports complexes in all corners of the country—true “palaces” for these “heavenly” steeds, striking in their beauty, loyalty, grace, and speed—ensures the preservation of the ancestral traditions of horse breeding. At the Lebap branch of the Mary State Horse Breeding Farm, located within the Lebap velayat equestrian sports complex, the path of the ancestors is being worthily continued, and comprehensive work is underway to breed and raise purebred Akhal-Teke horses.

The head of the branch, master jockey-instructor of Turkmenistan and Honored Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan, Aydogdy Rovshanov, spoke about how the horses are cared for, their breeding and training, as well as about the youth who link their lives to the art of horse breeding:

— I would like to proudly note that in the modern equestrian complex, built thanks to the efforts of Hero-Arkadag, all conditions have been created for caring for Akhal-Teke horses based on methods inherited from our ancestors. Our branch has 152 Akhal-Teke horses of various ages, including 28 broodmares. Since the beginning of 2026, held under the motto “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses,” we have received 16 foals from them.

The branch employs 6 horse breeders, as well as seyises and jockeys—8 staff members in total. Caring for horses is an extremely responsible task that requires constant effort and great experience. Our horse breeders approach this complex yet rewarding work with diligence: they successfully manage the growing herd, ensure that foals grow up healthy, and professionally prepare the horses for races.

There are also many private horse breeders in our velayat. Among them, I would like to mention Durdymyrat Pirnazarov, the son of mentor-seyis Narkuly Pirnazarov, who has mastered the secrets of training and racing. He is a true embodiment of the saying: “A father’s profession is the son’s heritage.” Incidentally, Narkuly Pirnazarov learned the art of seyis training from my father, Achyl Rovshanov.

It is gratifying that today the “mentor–student” tradition is being worthily continued. I would also like to mention such experienced seyises and jockeys as Agasapar Bayramov, Bagtyyar Donmezov, and Ibrahim Hudaynazarov. The skill level of young jockeys—Myrat Sheripov, Sanjar Bagtyyarov, Mustafa Toraev, and Mukhiddin Kuliev—is also steadily growing.

Horse races and beauty contests among Akhal-Teke horses held in our country, along with the great attention given to the development of horse breeding, inspire tremendous interest among young people in this art. I myself have been involved in jockeying and seyis training for about 40 years. Today, I have dozens of students. In our independent country, honest work is always held in high esteem. Being awarded honorary state titles inspires me to work even harder.

On these festive days, I would like to warmly congratulate the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, the President Arkadagly Hero Serdar, as well as all horse breeders of the country and our happy people on the National Day of the Turkmen Horse. May every day in Turkmenistan, confidently moving forward with the swiftness of a steed, be filled with celebrations!