The Turkmen Horse Day celebrations held widely and solemnly throughout the country on April 26 are the brilliant finale of the festive events dedicated to the national holiday. The main events brought together thousands of Turkmen citizens and numerous guests of Ashgabat and foreign delegations at the International Equestrian Sports Complex, located in the outskirts of the capital, in the picturesque Kopetdag valley.
Before attending the festive events, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with Acting President of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov, who arrived in Ashgabat on a working visit to participate in the Turkmen Horse Day celebrations.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Acting President of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov headed to the International Equestrian Sports Complex after the meeting had ended.
The Turkmen leader and the distinguished guest were greeted by the Chairperson of Mejlis, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of military and law enforcement agencies and Ashgabat and Ahal Velayat Hyakims. Numerous participants and guests, including the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in our country, members of the delegation of the Republic of Tatarstan, participants in the forums dedicated to the ‘heavenly’ horses, media representatives, the elders and young citizens of Ashgabat, enthusiastically greeted the leaders of the fraternal states.
The yurts representing all the regions of Turkmenistan were installed on the territory of the International Equestrian Sports Complex. They reproduced the atmosphere and age-old traditions of an ancient Turkmen village: women were weaving carpets, embroidering and making felt rugs, men were creating pieces of jewellery, including ornate harness and horse accessories, and making national musical instruments and baghshis were singing.
The exhibitions featuring the works of fine and decorative arts dedicated to incomparable Ahalteke horses were arranged there. The art gallery presented the works of the winners in the national art contest.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Acting President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov took their seats on the stands of the equestrian sports complex.
The colourful caravan of drummers appeared in the arena of the racecourse; prancing Ahalteke horses and their riders accompanied a group of festively decorated camels. Heralds invited everyone to take part in the festivities. The phaetons with leading soloists and musicians of our country performing the song moved around the arena.
The festivities continued with the performance of the renowned equestrian sports group Galkynysh. The Galkynysh group formed at the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is very popular in our country. Turkmen dzhigits have won recognition abroad: they performed in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries of the world, where they created a furore. They have prizes and awards of prestigious international competitions and circus arts festivals in their assets.
Dashing Turkmen horsemen and graceful young riders riding magnificent horses demonstrated the outstanding horsemanship and trick riding skills.
Horse races – the culmination of the celebrations in honour of Turkmen horses – started. These competitions highlight the unsurpassed qualities of Ahalteke horses, adding the great power of expression, stunning agility, strength and strong will, dedication and indefatigability – the qualities cultivated by experienced horse trainers and fostered by riders to their aesthetic beauty.
The best Ahalteke horses and jockeys competed for Turkmenistan President’s Cup awards and prizes established by Turkmen departments in seven rounds.
Four-year-old horses competed in the first round and three-year-old horses competed in the second, third and fourth rounds of the 1400m race. Fast horses at the age of four and older participated in the high-speed 2000m and 2200m races and the 2400m race.
The ceremony of awarding the winners in the horse races and other festive equestrian tournaments – the horse marathon and the show jumping tournament held recently in Ashgabat – took place. All winners received new cars.
The Decree of the President of Turkmenistan on the conferring of the honorary title of Master Jockey Mentor of Turkmenistan was read out. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented the insignia to the masters who had raised talented successors.
In accordance with the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan on the establishment of the honorary title of People’s Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen leader presented the insignia to the masters.
Mejlis of Turkmenistan adopted the decision to confer the honorary title of People’s Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in recognition of the invaluable contribution of the Turkmen leader to enhancing the prestige of Turkmen equestrian sports in the world arena. The Resolution of Mejlis of Turkmenistan was read out. The insignia and certificate was presented to the leader of Turkmenistan to the thunder of applause.
After the celebrations had concluded, the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and awarding ceremony participants had a collective photograph taken.
Before attending the festive events, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with Acting President of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov, who arrived in Ashgabat on a working visit to participate in the Turkmen Horse Day celebrations.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Acting President of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov headed to the International Equestrian Sports Complex after the meeting had ended.
The Turkmen leader and the distinguished guest were greeted by the Chairperson of Mejlis, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of military and law enforcement agencies and Ashgabat and Ahal Velayat Hyakims. Numerous participants and guests, including the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in our country, members of the delegation of the Republic of Tatarstan, participants in the forums dedicated to the ‘heavenly’ horses, media representatives, the elders and young citizens of Ashgabat, enthusiastically greeted the leaders of the fraternal states.
The yurts representing all the regions of Turkmenistan were installed on the territory of the International Equestrian Sports Complex. They reproduced the atmosphere and age-old traditions of an ancient Turkmen village: women were weaving carpets, embroidering and making felt rugs, men were creating pieces of jewellery, including ornate harness and horse accessories, and making national musical instruments and baghshis were singing.
The exhibitions featuring the works of fine and decorative arts dedicated to incomparable Ahalteke horses were arranged there. The art gallery presented the works of the winners in the national art contest.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Acting President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov took their seats on the stands of the equestrian sports complex.
The colourful caravan of drummers appeared in the arena of the racecourse; prancing Ahalteke horses and their riders accompanied a group of festively decorated camels. Heralds invited everyone to take part in the festivities. The phaetons with leading soloists and musicians of our country performing the song moved around the arena.
The festivities continued with the performance of the renowned equestrian sports group Galkynysh. The Galkynysh group formed at the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is very popular in our country. Turkmen dzhigits have won recognition abroad: they performed in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries of the world, where they created a furore. They have prizes and awards of prestigious international competitions and circus arts festivals in their assets.
Dashing Turkmen horsemen and graceful young riders riding magnificent horses demonstrated the outstanding horsemanship and trick riding skills.
Horse races – the culmination of the celebrations in honour of Turkmen horses – started. These competitions highlight the unsurpassed qualities of Ahalteke horses, adding the great power of expression, stunning agility, strength and strong will, dedication and indefatigability – the qualities cultivated by experienced horse trainers and fostered by riders to their aesthetic beauty.
The best Ahalteke horses and jockeys competed for Turkmenistan President’s Cup awards and prizes established by Turkmen departments in seven rounds.
Four-year-old horses competed in the first round and three-year-old horses competed in the second, third and fourth rounds of the 1400m race. Fast horses at the age of four and older participated in the high-speed 2000m and 2200m races and the 2400m race.
The ceremony of awarding the winners in the horse races and other festive equestrian tournaments – the horse marathon and the show jumping tournament held recently in Ashgabat – took place. All winners received new cars.
The Decree of the President of Turkmenistan on the conferring of the honorary title of Master Jockey Mentor of Turkmenistan was read out. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented the insignia to the masters who had raised talented successors.
In accordance with the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan on the establishment of the honorary title of People’s Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen leader presented the insignia to the masters.
Mejlis of Turkmenistan adopted the decision to confer the honorary title of People’s Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in recognition of the invaluable contribution of the Turkmen leader to enhancing the prestige of Turkmen equestrian sports in the world arena. The Resolution of Mejlis of Turkmenistan was read out. The insignia and certificate was presented to the leader of Turkmenistan to the thunder of applause.
After the celebrations had concluded, the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and awarding ceremony participants had a collective photograph taken.