The World Ahal-Teke Horse Championship and International Beauty Contest are taking place in the Dutch town of Kronenberg. The competitions are being held at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre, with participants from 25 countries, according to IIC of Turkmenistan.

Over 100 horses have arrived in the Netherlands to take part in the championship, including 30 elite horses from Turkmenistan. The programme includes an Ahal-Teke show, as well as dressage and show jumping competitions. Winners are determined based on the horses’ conformation, movements and golden coat colour.

Following the first round of competitions, the Turkmen Ahal-Teke horses secured six prize-winning places. Among the two-year-old fillies, Jeren Gözli took first place and Ak Monjuk came second. Meledag was crowned champion among the two-year-old colts.

In the category for three-year-old mares, Al Yaňak received the bronze medal. Among the three-year-old colts, Güneş won, whilst Gözbaş took second place.

An international scientific and practical conference entitled ‘Ahal-Teke Horse: Turkmen World Art of Horse Breeding’ was held in the neighbouring town of Venray. It was attended by experts, horse breeders, scientists, cultural figures and art historians from various countries.

Participants discussed the history of the Ahal-Teke breed’s development, its cultural heritage, the scientific and genetic foundations of breeding and veterinary practice, as well as the portrayal of the Ahal-Teke in art.

New publications on the breed were also presented at the conference. In particular, a Dutch-language edition of the book by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, entitled ‘A Horse – A Symbol of Faithfulness and Happiness’. The book consists of eight chapters and is devoted to the traditions of Turkmen horse breeding and issues relating to the development of the sector.