Today, the administrative center of Balkan velayat hosted events dedicated to the upcoming National Day of the Turkmen Horse.

In his speech at the XII meeting of the International Association of Ahal-Teke Horse Breeding, Head of State Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that for thousands of years the fame of the unsurpassed merits of Ahal-Teke horses has been thundering all over the world. Our horses have made a great contribution to the emergence of world horse breeding culture.

Distinguished by unique qualities - beauty, stature, playfulness and devoted disposition, “paradise” horses are a national treasure. Ahal-Teke horses are a symbol of a new historical era, the confident progress of an independent, permanently neutral Motherland to the heights of progress.

As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasizes, careful preservation and promotion of our national heritage on a global scale is one of the priorities of the state policy, which led to the increase in the world fame of the legendary Ahal-Teke horses, which have taken their rightful place in human culture.

Large-scale measures aimed at the development of the horse breeding industry are being implemented at the state level. An open arena in the Ashgabat equestrian center, the International Ahal-Teke equestrian center, the modern village of Aba Annaev in the gengeshlik of Kyarizek of the Geoktepe etrap of the Ahal velayat, the Center of the International Association of Ahal-Teke Horse Breeding were put into operation. Currently, a modern stable is being built in the Geoktepe etrap of the Ahal velayat, designed to keep 600 heads of Ahal-Teke horses.

In the era of the Renaissance of the new epoch of a powerful state, the horse breeding industry was further developed.

“Paradise” horses have always been the decoration of grandiose festivities. The current celebrations opened with traditional horse races held at the Balkan Equestrian Complex. It should be noted that similar complexes have been built in all velayats of the country.

Masters of the arts of the velayat - famous pop artists, bakhshi, dance and folklore groups presented their song and musical performances.

As part of the event, thematic exhibitions of fine and decorative arts were launched on the territory of the equestrian complex. Canvases depicting “heavenly” horses were presented by numerous Balkan artists - from eminent to very young, just starting their creative path, painters. Here you can also see the works of carpet weavers, zergers, horse harness makers.

The works of Turkmen sculptors in this direction should also be mentioned. In the artistic embodiment of the images of horses - powerful, proud, strong-willed or young, perky - there is a deep meaning. This is the connection of the past, present and future, the harmony of traditions and modernity, experience and bold dreams.

The fact that the horse was next to the Turkmen people throughout its history is clearly evidenced by the exhibits of the traveling exhibition of the Balkan Velayat Local History Museum. Among them are archaeological finds discovered on the territory of the historical and cultural monument Dehistan in the Balkan velayat.

The Western region has been living for the upcoming holiday for several days now. Thus, concerts were held in Balkanabat, where performances by artists from all etraps of the velayat were dedicated to the legendary Ahal-Teke horse.

The “heavenly” horses were able to fully demonstrate their unique beauty, stature and agility at the festive races held today, which brought together horse breeders and numerous fans of this sport in the Balkan Equestrian Sports Complex.

The program of the competition included 8 races among junior jockeys, adult jockeys and jockey-mentors with the participation of horses from all velayats and the city of Ashgabat.

In the first race at a distance of 1000 meters, young riders came to the starting position - representatives of all regions of the country. The winner among junior jockeys was Y. Gurbanov on the horse Nyazik from Lebap velayat.

In the next six races at a distance of 1400 meters, professional equestrians from each velayat and the city of Ashgabat took part in turn.

Among the horses of the Ahal velayat, Garayol, belonging to the State Border Service of Turkmenistan (master rider A. Ezizov), among the horses of the Balkan velayat - Abrayly, belonging to the Police Department of the Balkan velayat (master rider G. Sapargeldiev), among the horses of the Dashoguz velayat Gardashym, belonging to the Police Department of the Dashoguz velayat (master rider Y. Saparov), among the horses of the Lebap velayat - Guvandzhim, owned by hyakimlik of the Lebap velayat (master rider T. Taylyev), among the horses of the Mary velayat - Gökdepe, owned by the State Border Service of Turkmenistan (master rider O.Yalkabov), among the horses of the city of Ashgabat - Gaplan, owned by the khyakimlik of the city of Ashgabat (master rider B.Agamyradov) were the first to reach the finish line. 

The final eighth race was attended by jockey-mentors from all velayats of the country, who cast lots to choose a horse to participate in the competition. So, in the final race, the first to finish was the rider - B. Sapargylyjov on the horse Gyzylmeydan from Ahal velayat.

The winners of the festive races were awarded valuable prizes and gifts in a solemn atmosphere.

The main prize of the President of Turkmenistan - a car - was awarded to the winner of the final race among jockey-mentors B. Sapargylyjov.

All the winners of the holiday prizes expressed their sincere gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his attention to the development of the industry and assured that they would spare no effort and abilities to increase the world fame of “paradise” horses.