Celebrations are being held in Turkmenistan on the occasion of the upcoming National Day of the Turkmen Horse, which will be celebrated on April 24 this year.

Traditionally, in honor of the holiday, professional riders hold horse races and competitions that demonstrate the beauty, high speed and endurance of the Akhal-Teke breed of horses.

A truly spectacular marathon race of Akhal-Teke horses took place in the Ak Bugday etrap of the Akhal velayat. It was attended by 20 famous horses representing the Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan, the International Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex, the National Equestrian Center, the Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan and the State Border Service of the country.

The route of the marathon, consisting of two stages of 30 kilometers each, passed through rough terrain in the picturesque foothills of the Kopetdag. During the intermediate finish, a veterinary examination of the horses was carried out. Then the second stage of the race started.

The riders fully showed their skill and dexterity in the ability to manage wayward horses. Many jockeys from an early age are trained to stay in the saddle, continuing the best traditions of the famous Turkmen dzhigits and horse breeders. Today, the books of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov telling about the glory of "heavenly" horses and famous breeders of the past are a great help in the training and practical work of riders.

Rushing forward along the marathon track, the jockeys in tandem with their wards identified the leaders of the race literally from the first minutes.

The five-year-old bay Meshkhur, led by jockey and seis Orazmyrat Annaev, representing the Akhal-Teke equestrian complex of the President of Turkmenistan, performed well, and the ten-year-old crow Garadoman with rider Maksatmuhammet Melyaev also showed good results. Among the horses of the International Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex, a seven-year-old bay Garly with jockey Ezizmyrat Babylov distinguished himself.

Seyis and riders are proud of the high honor of participating in a festive long-distance race. According to the rules of the marathon, already mature, well-trained horses, aged four years or more, are allowed to compete. The winners are determined by the best time of the route and the positive conclusion of the veterinary inspection.

The awarding of the winners of the marathon will be held in a solemn atmosphere on the day of the celebration of the National holiday of the Turkmen horse.