The World Equestrian Championships and a Beauty Contest for Ahal-Teke horses have begun on 4 September in the Dutch town of Kronenberg. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal.

The event is organised by the state association ‘Türkmen Atlary’ and the European Association of Ahal-Teke Horses. The event is timed to coincide with the Year of ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’.

The programme includes equestrian competitions, a beauty contest for racehorses, an international scientific conference on the Ahal-Teke breed, and presentations on Turkmen culture and traditions. Performances by the ‘Galkynyş’ National Equestrian Games Group and the State Circus of Turkmenistan are also planned. Teachers and students from the Aba Annayev International Equestrian Academy are involved in organising the events, according to the newspaper ‘Turkmenistan’.

Hundreds of representatives from around 30 countries are expected to attend the events in Kronenberg, with more than 100 of them taking part in the international scientific and practical conference on Ahal-Teke horses. The forum comprises a main session and five sections: discussions will focus on achievements in the development of equestrian arts in Turkmenistan, the history of the breed, the significance of the inclusion of Ahal-Teke horse-breeding traditions and the tradition of horse decoration on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, as well as the scientific study of the equine industry. Speakers include experts and horse breeders from Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France and the USA.

Turkmen national culture will be showcased in the square of the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre: seven yurts will be erected to display the traditions and customs of the people, national costumes, the art of the bakhshi and scenes from wedding ceremonies. Guests will also visit stands showcasing the traditions of horse-breeding in Europe.

As part of the official reception, there will be a concert featuring Turkmen bakhshis and pop singers, as well as Turkish, Italian and German singers.

Artists and students of creative disciplines from Turkmenistan and other countries took part in the art competition dedicated to the Ahal-Teke horses, submitting works in the fields of painting, sculpture, jewellery, carpet weaving and photography.