On September 28, the 16th meeting of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding was held in Ashgabat, chaired by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

After welcoming the members of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding, Arkadagly Hero-Serdar noted that the 16th meeting of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association is taking place during the widely celebrated main holiday of the Motherland—the glorious 35th anniversary of sacred Independence. During the meeting, a number of issues will be discussed, and honorary titles of Turkmenistan will be conferred upon the members of the Association who have made a significant contribution to the development of Akhal-Teke horse breeding.

As noted, the careful preservation and promotion of our national heritage throughout the world is one of the priority areas of current state policy.

These «heavenly» horses, the pride of the Turkmen people, represent an invaluable treasure of world culture. Our ancestors attached great importance to breeding these «heavenly» horses and preserving the purity of the breed. These horses are distinguished by their grace, agility, and loyalty to humans.

Today, Akhal-Teke horses are highly revered, and the prestige and global fame of Turkmen horses are reaching unprecedented heights.

Thanks to the efforts of the Hero-Arkadag, a solid foundation for the horse breeding industry has been laid in our homeland.

Noting that 2026 has been declared «Independent Neutral Turkmenistan—the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses» the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that a number of horse breeding and equestrian events were held in Turkmenistan and abroad throughout the year.

«The International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding plays a major role in preserving and increasing the population of purebred Akhal-Tekes, as well as in promoting these «heavenly» horses around the world. The International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association, established on the initiative of the Hero-Arkadag, has today attained the status of a prestigious international organization», continued Arkadagly Hero-Serdar in his speech.

As noted, this international organization currently comprises 213 domestic and approximately 40 foreign representatives. Recently, with the participation of the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov a high-level open meeting of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association was held in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The World Equestrian Championships and the Akhal-Teke Horse Beauty Contest also played an important role in enhancing the global fame of these «heavenly» horses.

In closing his remarks, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that on September 29, at the foot of the Köpetdag Mountains, there will be a grand opening ceremony for the modernized, fully compliant with modern standards, and that efforts to increase the Akhal-Teke horse population and enhance their global reputation will continue in the future.

The Head of state signed documents prepared to further improve the activities of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding, as well as documents conferring honorary titles on citizens of Turkmenistan and foreign countries.

This was followed by a ceremony to confer the honorary titles.

The Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Tangryguly Atahallyyev read aloud the Decrees of the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

In accordance with the Decree of Arkadagly Hero-Serdar, the honorary title «Türkmenistanyň at gazanan atşynasy» was conferred upon Marian Veltevreden, the president of the European Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding; Liu Shucun, the head of the horse breeding company «Daqing Huiyou Breeding Co., Ltd.» of the People’s Republic of China; and to Kaido Puusepp, a private horse breeder from the Republic of Estonia and an internationally certified veterinarian.

By Decree of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Durdymyrat Kanayev, the head of the equestrian sports and marathon group within the Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex Administration of the Economic Management Department of the Presidential Administration of Turkmenistan, has been awarded the honorary title «Türkmenistanyň halk atşynasy».

In accordance with a Decree issued by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Begenchmyrat Kakamyradovich Agamyradov, a jockey in the riding division of the Administration of the Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan, under the Economic Management Department of the Presidential Administration’s Office of Administrative Affairs, and Berdimuhammet Sadykmuhammedovich Berdimuhammedov, a private horse breeder from the city of Ashgabat, were awarded the honorary title «Türkmenistanyň at gazanan atşynasy».

The floor was then given to the horse breeders who had been awarded the honorary titles.

The first to speak was Marian Veltevreden, the president of the European Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding.

As noted, receiving this honorary title is a great honor and a significant, unforgettable event for her.

On behalf of the European Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding and on her own behalf, Marian Veltevreden expressed her sincere gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and to the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, as well as to the entire Turkmen people for the great honor bestowed upon her.

Next, Berdimuhammet Berdimuhammedov, a private horse breeder from Ashgabat, addressed the ceremony, noting that being awarded the honorary title «Türkmenistanyň at gazanan atşynasy» filled him with pride and marked a significant milestone in his life. The horse breeder expressed his sincere gratitude to Arkadagly Hero-Serdar and the Hero-Arkadag for their high appreciation of his work.

Then, addressing those gathered, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again congratulated the domestic and foreign horse breeders who had been awarded honorary titles, wished for the successful conduct of the 16th session of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding, and departed from the venue.

The 16th Session of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding then continued its work.