27.04.2017 //
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov delivered a speech at the VII meeting of the International Association of Ahal-Teke Horse Breeding.
The Head of State congratulated the participants of the meeting on the Turkmen Horse, and said that at present the International Association of Ahal-Teke Horse Breeders includes 137 members from 32 countries.
According to the President of Turkmenistan, development of the Ahalteke horse breeding is a priority of the state policy of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan carries out systematic work on the further development of the horse breeding industry, modernization of its infrastructure, increasing the number of heads of pedigree Ahalteke horses, intensification of international cooperation in this sphere, popularization of various equestrian sports and national traditions of horse riding. That is vividly proved by the construction of wonderful equestrian sports complex in Turkmenistan.
As an example, the President of Turkmenistan mentioned the Ashgabat Equestrian Sport Complex with a training centre and riding hall to train athletes in such sports as horseracing, marathon, show-jumping among others. A modern horse breeding complex designed for breeding 600 heads of pedigree Ahalteke horses, apartment houses as well as training centre and veterinary and quarantine centre that meet the high international standards were built in Aba Annaev settlement in Geokdepe Etrap in Ahal Velayat.
Speaking about the educational programmes in this sphere, the President of Turkmenistan noted that at present the higher educational institutions in our country – the Turkmen Agricultural University and the National Institute of Sports and Tourism train specialists in horse breeding. The Turkmen State Institute of Culture prepares circus artists.
The President of Turkmenistan noted that our country conducted specialized scientific research with the aim to preserve the purity of the Ahalteke breed, increase the capacity of Ahalteke horses to compete with other horse breeds in sports contests as well as widen international relations in this sphere.
That is vividly testified by the successful participation of the delegations of Turkmenistan in large international equestrian sports contests and triumphal performances of the Galkynysh group of national equestrian games in many countries in the world.
The journal “Heavenly Ahalteke Horses”, issued by the International Ahalteke Horse Breeding Association as well as the web-site of the same name of the State News Agency of Turkmenistan that attracts readers from many countries contribute to the wide popularization of the national art of horse breeding all around the world.
The President of Turkmenistan underlined the necessity to introduce the most advanced methods of testing horses through their participation in sports contests. In this regard, Turkmenistan put forward the initiative to hold the international long-distance horse marathon and show-jumping competitions in the country.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the show-jumping contests were included into the programme of the V Asian Games to be held in Ashgabat in September 2017. The President of Turkmenistan expressed belief that the international competitions in this sphere would offer a powerful incentive to development of the national equestrian sport. Using the opportunity, the President of Turkmenistan invited the forum participants to visit Turkmenistan to share the joy of this sports festival with the Turkmen people.
“Our main goal remains unaltered – to bring up physically and spiritually strong generation by developing the equestrian sports”, said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, speaking at the forum of the International Ahalteke Horse Breeding Association.
