The final round of the international competition “Yylyň iň owadan ahalteke bedewi” («The most beautiful Ahalteke horse of the year»), as well as the award ceremony for the winners of the creative competition among representatives of creative professions for the artistic embodiment of the beauty of Ahalteke horses in works of art and decorative and applied art, which took place on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Turkmen Horse on April 27, 2024 at the International Academy of Horse Breeding named after Aba Annayev with the participation of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, became significant events for the faculty and students of the Academy.
The atmosphere of a grand celebration, music and songs, performances by the country’s masters of art, which reigned everywhere, added solemnity to the widely celebrated holiday.
The President of Turkmenistan watched sports performances of students of the International Horse Breeding Academy named after Aba Annayev. According to the established good tradition, at the beginning of the celebration, on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Turkmen Horse, representing the proud citizens of Ashgabat, Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap and Mary velayats, the President of Turkmenistan was presented to the following gifts, respectively: the 2021-born chestnut stallion Payhasly, belonging to the line of the famous Pereng, a descendant of horses Parasat and Khangyzy; the 2022-born chestnut stallion Markav, belonging to the line of the legendary Fakirpalvan, a descendant of horses Gadymgalа and Akmay; the 2021-born dark bay stallion Umman, belonging to the line of famous Gelshikli, a descendant of the horses Akpay and Akjayar; the 2021 year of birth dun stallion Keremli, belonging to the line of the famous Gelshikli, a descendant of horses Dostluk and Shaperi; the 2021 year of birth dun stallion Pyakhimli, belonging to the line of famous Gyrsakar, a descendant of horses Gala and Akjagul; the 2022 year of birth dun stallion Sarpaly, belonging to the line of the legendary Fakirpalvan, a descendant of horses Gorkli and Dorsanjar. On behalf of the military and law enforcement agencies, the President of Turkmenistan was presented with the dun stallion Edermen, belonging to the line of famous Gelshikli, a descendant of horses Akshyakher and Gyzylgul.
A particularly solemn moment was the presentation of a newborn foal to the President of Turkmenistan on behalf of the residents of Arkadag city and horse breeders of the village named after Aba Annayev, Kyarizek etrap of the new city, as well as an appeal to Arkadagly Hero Serdar with a request to give him a name. Born in the year “The Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Pyragy”, the foal, belonging to the line of famous horse El, a descendant of racehorses Karar and Gulgetir, Arkadagly Hero Serdar gave the name Ylham, and following a good tradition, tied an alaja woven by his mother Ogulgerek eje around the foal’s neck. This became a sign of a worthy continuation of the national customs that go back centuries into the era of the Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State.
The final round of the International Competition “Yylyň iň owadan ahalteke bedewi”, was also held as part of the celebrations. The top contenders for victory awarded the highest marks by the members of the commission, were brought to the observation deck. The magnificent exterior and unique beauty, the mesmerizing unique color of the Ahalteke horses, aroused admiration among the fans who came to watch the competition. By the way, it should be noted that three horses belonging to the line of famous Gyrsakar and Fakirpalvan, two horses belonging to the line of the legendary Gelshikli, and one horse each belonging to the lines of such magnificent horses as Pereng and Skak were selected for participation in the final round of the international beauty contest, and a total of 10 Ahalteke horses were selected. These are the bay Gadymy, Gozbash, Vatanchy, Melegush, the bay Gornukli, Gylykly, Edermen, Paykhas, the dark bay Gachgyn, the palomino Melegush.
The signature silky coat of Ahalteke horses, their refined appearance, swiftness, inexhaustible power and energy, endurance are the result of painstaking, many years of work by tireless horse trainers and hardworking horse breeders who have achieved great heights in their field.
According to the rules of the competition, the horses participating in the final round first appeared before the public without ceremonial attire, and then in magnificent attire made of traditional national horse ornaments made by the best master jewelers.
The competition judges de- termined that the title of “The Most Beautiful Ahalteke Horse of 2024” was recognized as the magnificent horse Gadymy, born in 2017, a descendant of Gadymgala and Durli, belonging to the line of the renowned horse named Fakirpalvan.
The winner of the International Competition was awarded the main prize on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov – the keys to a Toyota Highlander, a challenge cup and a diploma. At the end of the main celebrations of that day, the President of Turkmenistan announced that on the occasion of the holiday, the magnificent horses presented to him were being donated to the faculty and students of the International Academy of Horse Breeding named after Aba Annayev, and his wishes to those gathered “At arkasy gutly bolsun” and success in the work to preserve the glory of the Ahalteke horses, which are the pride of the Turkmen people, became an unforgettable event of that day. On the occasion of the National Holiday of the Turkmen Horse, widely celebrated in our country, esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov also presented the faculty of the International Academy of Horse Breeding named after Aba Annayev, scientists of the Scientific and Production Center for Horse Breeding, horse breeders of the city of Arkadag with the keys to new apartments in modern residential buildings built in the new city and designed for 120 families with good wishes “Täze jaý gutly bolsun, ýurt garşy alsyn!” This event further increased the joy of horse breeders.
The festive atmosphere was complemented by performances by students of the International Academy of Horse Breeding, masters of sports and song and music performances by cultural and artistic figures, popular performers, becoming the final chord of the celebrations of that day.
The folk melodies and fiery motives of modern compositions reflected the creative energy of the transformations started by Hero-Arkadag and successfully continued by Arkadagly Hero Serdar, the wonderful Ahalteke horses and the beauty of Turkmen nature were praised.
Dayanch ANNAMURADOV,
Head of the Mycology Subdepartment
of the Veterinary Laboratory Department
of the Horse Breeding Research and Production Center
of the «Turkmen Atlary» State Association