President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov attended the inauguration, which combined a facility launch with races, a wrestling tournament and prize-giving timed to the 35th anniversary of independence.
Turkmenistan formally opened the modernized Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan on Tuesday, a 1,200-seat breeding, training and events facility in the Kopetdag foothills on the outskirts of the capital. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty and the country’s designated National Leader, both took part. The opening was within the year’s state programme marking 35 years of independence.
| Event | Opening of the Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan |
| Date and place | 29 September 2026; Kopetdag foothills, Ashgabat |
| Capacity | 1,200 seats |
| Officials present | President Serdar Berdimuhamedov; Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty |
| Framing | 2026 state motto (“Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of the Purposeful Winged Steeds”); 35th anniversary of independence |
| International element | Akhal-Teke gift to Liu Shuqing of China’s Daqing Huiyou Breeding Co., Ltd. |
| Audience | Cabinet members, military and law-enforcement heads, diplomats, international organisations, media, breeders |
The ceremony
According to the official account, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov travelled to the site by the newly modernised access road, passing the roundabout with the “Ýanardag” monument, named for the horse depicted on Turkmenistan’s State Emblem, and the white “Atly aýlaw” sculpture, which depicts a horse’s development from foal to adulthood. He was received by the Chairman of the Mejlis, deputy chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, the head of the Halk Maslakhaty Office, heads of security and industry bodies, media, accredited diplomats, representatives of international organisations and honorary horse breeders.
The programme opened with performances by artists and by the Galkynyş National Equestrian Games Group, a mounted-stunt troupe that has performed internationally, followed by a drone show. The account notes that rain began during the ceremony and describes it as a sign of abundance. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov then addressed the gathering and cut the ribbon. President Berdimuhamedov separately cut the ribbon at the main entrance and toured the grounds, the indoor arena and the stables.
What the complex contains
Descriptions of the facility come from the speech by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the accompanying official narrative. They list:
- Sport and racing: outdoor and indoor training arenas, racing tracks, spectator stands, training grounds, a “water simulator” and a venue for Akhal-Teke beauty contests. The indoor arena is described as meeting international standards and suitable for championships, including show jumping.
- Breeding and science: departments and laboratories for breeding work, health assessment and study of horses’ physiological characteristics, intended to preserve breed purity and increase the Akhal-Teke population.
- Feed: orchards of the “Babarapskaya” apple variety, a dedicated carrot variety, an alfalfa plot and winter feed warehouses, which officials said would allow year-round feeding.
- Technology: a digital system in the administrative building that lets visitors view horses’ living conditions, feeding schedules and sleep and wake times.
- Visitor and community facilities: a photo studio with seasonal, Caspian shoreline, Karakum dune and spring-meadow backdrops (Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov specifically cited its use for newlyweds’ photographs), plus a vehicle repair shop and a landscaped forest zone.
- Public art: “Atly ýigit” (a young rider) at the main entrance, a monumental composition on the Akhal-Teke’s historical journey, and a globe of butterfly figures topped by a foal, which officials describe as symbolising rebirth, freedom and peace.
The National Leader’s address
In his speech, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov described the Akhal-Teke as a symbol of national progress and said equestrian centres meeting current standards now operate in the provinces (velayats) and in Ashgabat and Arkadag. He listed institutions in Arkadag, the planned city built in the Akhal-Teke’s historic breeding region: the Aba Annayev International Horse Breeding Academy, the At-myrat Training Center, a Scientific and Production Center for Horse Breeding, the Gorogly State Equestrian Circus and a 600-horse stable.
He said the breed’s history is linked to that of the Turkmen people and cited excavations at Ancient Merv as evidence that Turkmen horses have a history of more than 5,000 years. He quoted the classical poet Magtymguly and closed with lines from his own poem on the horse. He said the complex would host celebrations, races and competitions, and stated the wish that Turkmen horses would win races.
Gift to a Chinese breeder
Acting on a decree by President Berdimuhamedov, in his capacity as President of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented Liu Shuqing, head of Daqing Huiyou Breeding Co., Ltd. of the People’s Republic of China, with a dun Akhal-Teke named Dosthan, foaled in 2023, together with a certificate. The award cited his contribution to horse breeding and to preserving the breed’s purity. Liu said his company keeps 1,200 horses, more than 600 of them Akhal-Tekes, and thanked both leaders.
Races, contests and prizes
Following a procession of 35 riders symbolising the anniversary, a celebratory race was held among master jockeys, with entries representing each velayat and the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag. The programme also included a beauty contest for Alabai (Central Asian shepherd) dogs and a goresh wrestling tournament.
Race result. Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov rode Daghan, a horse trained by Kerimguly Berdimuhamedov, and was awarded the grand prize. Kerimguly is the grandson of Arkadag and a serving sergeant. The prize, a Range Rover Sport, was then announced as transferred to the Ministry of Defence and the military unit where Kerimguly serves; Defence Minister B. Gundogdyev accepted it.
| Place | Horse | Rider / trainer | Prize |
| 1st | Daghan (Arkadag) | Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov; trainer Kerimguly Berdimuhamedov | Range Rover Sport (transferred to Ministry of Defence unit) |
| 2nd | Shokhratly (Ashgabat) | T. Pirmyradov | Toyota Fortuner |
| 3rd | Azamat (Ahal) | H. Ashirov | Toyota Camry |
Other prizes. Alabai Arvan, winner of the dog contest, and its owner received a Toyota Corolla. Goresh winners were M. Nurberdiev (80 kg), G. Khemraev (90 kg), S. Rejepov (100 kg), A. Allaberdiev (110 kg) and N. Baidogdyev (heavyweight); each received a domestically produced television. The wrestlers thanked the leadership for recognising goresh as an international competition.
Wedding. A traditional wedding display was staged as part of the programme, and President Berdimuhamedov presented the newlyweds with keys to a new apartment, noting that their wedding coincided with the independence anniversary.
Media and outreach
On the state Sport TV channel’s “Bedew” programme, host A. Payayev interviewed Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the venue. Payayev said the channel is preparing a series on Akhal-Teke horses and their history, following earlier recommendations by the National Leader. Berdimuhamedov called for greater public awareness among young people and for training young specialists in the sector. /// nCa, 30 September 2026