our pride and glory - heavenly akhalteke horses

Dear friends!
This book is dedicated to the Turkmen racehorse – the celebrated Akhalteke.
The world has been ringing with its fame as long as the world exists. Being put on
a par with the history of the human civilization, this steed hasn’t lost its outstanding
breed traits in its lifetime – strength, speed, beauty and intelligence. Taken together,
they have merged in that very type of the horse, the only in the world, which fate
has been closely interwoven with the human’s destiny, and the aforesaid has foreordained their friendship, affection and staunch service to each other.
The Akhalteke, which was born by the nature of the ancient Turkmen land
and the gift of industrious Turkmen people, makes the running in the cultural horsebreeding of the world by ennobling all breeds of riding horses with its blood. It has
become a terrestrial embodiment of a unity of the cultural space of the world and left
fond memories of itself throughout historical epochs.
Our national pride and glory, the adornment of the State emblem of Turkmenistan, the Akhalteke is a real symbol of our independent neutral Fatherland, a
living picture of its aspiration for peace and friendship with all nations. At the beginning of the XXI century, the Turkmen state has entered into a new era of its development – the era of the great Revival, and declared the policy of active peaceableness,
genuine openness and initiative participation in forming of a new humane model of
the world.
We are self-confident and firmly convinced in our forces, and such confidence originates in the primary sources of generosity and openness of the Turkmen
land, genius of our forefathers who gave birth to a unique in the world phenomenon
– a friendship between the steed and a human, and the friendship is to be evaluated
as the rarest phenomenon of our national culture and the world culture as a whole.
Dear readers, I wish you to be imbued with the comprehension of ineradicable love of the Turkmen nation to its wonderful racehorse.
President
of Turkmenistan
Gurbanguly
Berdymukhamedov
Gurbanguly
Berdymukhamedov
Akhalteke our pride and glory
Ashkhabad
2008
Akhalteke —
Oguzkhan monument
in the capital
of Turkmenistan
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our pride and glory
A Symbol
of Great Revival
“He who has a steed, has wings”
Turkmen proverb
T
housands of years a steed has been prancing over the earth spaces, being
the object of fights between kings, nations and states in their striving to take
possession of it. Thousands of legends and stories resuscitate a divine origin
of a golden coat steed like a wind. This steed with immutable noble points has
become a symbol of every new era, but every time under a new name – Hittite,
Nisai, Parthian, Persian, Arab… Later an argamak will emerge in the Rus, and this name
will be forever attached to the steed, known only for its Oriental origin…
The Turkmen steed, or the Akhalteke - this breed name would be soundly entered
into the world practice only in the XIX century, having fairly amended the genealogy of the
oriental agramak. At the very end of the XX century, the Akhalteke will become a symbol of
independent neutral Turkmenistan by decorating the State Emblem of the country with its
graceful portrayal.
With the epoch of a new great Revival, which the XXI century has brought to the
ancient Turkmen land, this steed will have ascended the pedestal of honour corresponding
to the weight and authority of Turkmenistan in the world arena. A policy of openness and
grandiose changes will open new horizons for self-expression of the nation’s spirit, hence,
for its racehorse as these notions are indivisible – always, at all times.
After getting over the path of formation of our independent state that was difficult and full of labour and inspiration, we have embarked on the qualitatively new course
of development that requires the mobilization of all tangible and spiritual resources of the
society. This task will entail the further return to the national soil of creative spirit of the Turkmen nation, that very spirit which permits it not merely withstand in the historical fight with
the time, but to create imperishable masterpieces of material culture inferior to none in the
world history. Both the Turkmen carpet and Turkmen racehorses are not only the evidence
of antiquity and talent of our nation, not only symbols of our today’s independence, but they
present a great mystery of our land, which has generated a unique human ability to live and
create in harmony with nature and in accord with self.
Today we have learnt much about ourselves, about our great history and its
mighty and twisting way in different epochs; we have learnt the price our nation has paid to
preserve all through the ages the thing it values most of all – the freedom of its spirit and the
independence of its land. We have also learnt about that greatest patience and high dignity
with which our nation has endured the historical oblivion of things it exclusively possessed
– the peacefulness of thoughts and perfection of deeds.
We have called our new epoch the epoch of great Revival as following the revival
of the national self-consciousness the time is ripe for the revival of the primordial national
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Akhalteke —
character bearing such features as diligence, assiduity, vitality and spirit of enterprise along
with the openness and kind-heartedness – the aforesaid has been the pivot of the nation,
and provided it with a spiritual and material basis of historical longevity and firmness of the
lifestyle.
Formerly foreign travellers who had watched the Turkmens’ mode of life during
hard times of the tribal separation and struggle for survival witnessed that “one can observe
such spiritual rise among these nomads and such absolute understanding and openness
as nowhere in the world”. They also confirmed with amazement “the Turkmens’ great desire
to study and to read books, which fell into their hands by chance”. “They take their chessgame even when they set out to fight,” observers wondered.
But our people’s attitude towards their racehorses astounded them most of all.
When describing the Turkmens as very nimble, courageous and strong defenders of their
lands, witnesses never wearied of being astonished by the steed-and-human intercourse
brought to full perfection, what made them all-in-one-piece both in the everyday life and in
the battle.
“Being reared under a shelter side by side with children and caressed by women’s
hands, the Turkmen horses are notable for their especial tenderness and extraordinary intelligence,” some of them noticed. Others echoed, “A Turkmen is sure in his racehorse to
such extent that he always holds a bridle in his hands with ease and absolutely relies on
an exclusive instinct and reliability of his steed.” Some other underscored, “The Turkmens
have never overstrained their horses. On horseback they keep the corpus obliquely, i.e.
they retract their right shoulder. During rapid gaits, they move almost all their weight on
stirrups. They never beat their racehorses and a whip in their hands is just an adornment”...
It is an invaluable observation indeed! Which of us isn’t familiar with this famous
seat of the Turkmen horseman who has gone down in the history of his nation as its most
typical and brightest representative? But to attain the aforesaid an indefatigable and laborious work of many generations of the nation required, that very nation which had created,
raised and preserved for centuries the most famous in the world breed of the Akhalteke
racehorses.
Apparently, we haven’t completely perceived yet what invaluable wealth is in our
possession. Our natural treasures are added with a creative centuries-old energy of the nation, which is multiplied manifold by the allegiance to its land and capability to transform this
land. Today, one has only to look around to see with one’s own eyes and believe forever in
our nation’s ineradicable craving for labour and creative work, knowledge and self-perfection, and its need to live in harmony of body and spirit, to develop and impart the harmony
to their children – the future of the country.
Nowadays, the Turkmen history experiences a particular period associated with
the transformation of stupendous plans and designs, aimed at the reconstruction of life
and conferring world quality standards upon it, in real and concrete deeds. The cultural
dominant, which is present in the policy of our country, appreciably determines the whole
vector of its development, where health and sports have grown into constitutive attributes of
the social order of the society. In corroboration of the aforesaid – dozens of projects, which
have been already introduced today and which realization will help Turkmenistan to rank
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our pride and glory
high among the advanced countries owing to the development of infrastructure of tourism
and sports.
The country has done and is doing much for the construction of up-to-the-minute
sport facilities – stadiums, special complexes for water and equestrian sports, hockey and
figure skating. A project of a new “Olympic ground” has been approved; it is the largest in
Central Asia complex consisting of a series of facilities furnished according to the world
standards – stadiums, outdoor and indoor sports grounds and halls, swimming pools, a
cycle track, a tennis court, a medical-and-rehabilitation centre, hotels, etc., in a word, a
complex, which envisages all conditions for holding different sporting events, including at
the international level.
Our duty and our task are to give the utmost encouragement to physical training
and the Olympic movement. Olympic competitors have been formed since childhood, and
gyms, basketball and volleyball courts, tennis courts and swimming pools, furnished with
up-to-date simulators, are obligatory included in projects of new kindergartens and educational institutions of Turkmenistan. All sorts of conditions for the recreation and physical development are foreseen in children’s health-improving centres in Gekdere in the
environs of Ashkhabad and in the National tourist zone of “Avaza” under construction on
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Akhalteke —
the Caspian littoral, where various sport complexes and facilities will be at holidaymakers’
service.
And, undoubtedly, we pay a particular attention to a primordially national sport
associated with the further development of horse-breeding and betterment of the elite
Akhalteke breed. The National Programme of the “Main trend of the economic, political and
cultural development of Turkmenistan for the period up to the year 2020” has envisaged a
widespread introduction of science-based advanced methods of selection of pure Akhalteke
breeds in the horse-breeding branch, dressage of stallions, training of racers and racehorses for international equestrian competitions. In addition to the functioning supermodern
Akhalteke horse complex the aforementioned goals will be attained by the Ashkhabad hippodrome, which has been completely reconstructed and will be put into operation on the
eve of the 17th anniversary of Turkmenistan independence. All conditions are created there
to organize traditional races rather popular with the people. Similar hippodromes furnished
with state-of-the-art equipment will appear in all velayats of the country.
Not a jot of our attention to our racehorses will have been reduced in the future as
they are our pride and glory, our inspiration. Who but the Akhalteke, born on the Turkmen
land, should become an exponent of strength, health and beauty reproducible in nature by
dint of human’s labour and talent? That is why the history of human-steed affection and
friendship is so cognitive, the history that commenced 5 thousand years ago and continues
up to the present time.
This history has been recorded in numerous testimonies and chronicles of different epochs, in mythological creativity of the Turkmen people, their epics and legends.
Various monographs and present-day studies are dedicated to the Akhalteke. I would like
to express my heartfelt gratitude to all authors and compilers, whose affection and professionalism help to collect invaluable information about the pride and glory of the Turkmen
nation – the Akhalteke racehorse.
This book generalizes and systematizes facts based on the scientific, historical
and literary biography of our racehorse. Undoubtedly, this biography will be continued as
mysteries our land has disclosed to us are far from being full, and they include ancient
horse-breeding traditions, peculiarities of the selection gift of the nation and peculiarities of
the Akhalteke itself, its powerful blood as if forever injected in veins of the wonderful racehorse as a reward to a person who hasn’t searched for another land, another sky and sun.
The Akhalteke is with us as before. Therefore, our duty is to preserve, add and
hand over its renowned biography to our descendants, the biography that reflects the whole
heroic history of the Turkmen people like in the mirror.
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our pride and glory
15
Akhalteke horse centre of President of Turkmenistan
Akhalteke —
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‘Turkmen atlary’ public association office is located
in a high-rise building in the center of Ashgabat
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Akhalteke —
A fragment of Parthian ivory
rhyton. II century A. D.
Serakhs oasis
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History witnesses
S
“Nothing in the world can outdo them in quickness,
doves and cranes hardly keep pace with them.”
Ancient Greek historian Xenophont
o, the Akhalteke… What is it and wherefrom is it? Whom is the mankind obliged
for the creation of a legendary steed, which origin goes back to the time of initiation of the world civilization? And why was our swift-footed racehorse’s way to its
actual name, inalienable from the name of the nation-creator, so long? Undoubtedly, the world knew a great deal of horse breeds, which type was formed first
of all by natural and climatic conditions of their habitat. But the question is about the steed
commemorated in the art and mythology of different nations. As the scholars themselves
confessed, like cities of Asia Minor debated for the honour to be the native land of Homer,
different scholars and countries argued to be the homeland of the steed.
“In the Orient there is a spacious territory called Nisaya, where majestic horses
abound,” this evidence was left by the father of history Herodotus in the V century B.C.
“Steeds of Nisei surpass the others in their beauty. These steeds are worthy of
mighty kings, with wonderful exterior and light tread, when mounted, they easily obey bits;
they bear high their proud hook-nosed head and their golden manes soar gloriously in the
air.” And the aforesaid inspired lines belong to the Greek author of “Roman history” Appian,
living in the II century B.C.
At the dawn of the new era an ancient Greek geographer and historian Strabon would corroborate: “Nisayan horses are the biggest and the best, Persian kings keep
them.”
With the Parthian conquest the grand steed would grow into a chivalrous symbol of a powerful state that had subordinated an extensive area from Mesopotamia to
India.
During excavations in New Nisa - the residence of the Parthian kings - a knight’s
steed was found among the disclosed figurines of horses, it wore light armour with a helmet.
First knights of the world, so as knighthood itself, arose there, in Parthia, and afterwards
spread all over the world, having inherited principles of selflessness and nobility, that the
concept of knighthood and chivalrous virtues was based on, side by side with the “iron” appearance of a steed and a horseman.
And the founder of the Parthian kingdom Arsac I was the first knight. A Turkmen by birth, he headed the rebellion of local tribes against Greek-Macedonian dominion and after liberating the area of the Kopetdagh foothills from the Greek governors,
there, in the district named Parthiena, he laid the core of the future power. A classical
author narrated: “The Parthians revered his memory to such extent that since then
all Parthian kings had been named Arsac”. Most probably, it was not the name but a
sobriquet, which etymology derives from the ancient Turkmen word “ar”, “er” (“male”,
“manly”).
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A Parthian equestrian.
1 century A.D. terracotta relief
Akhalteke —
Plutarch wrote about the Parthians: “A Parthian, being taught to charge and retreat with similar speed, disintegrates his horse units to make possible unimpeded hitting of
the enemy with arrows”.
A “winged steed”, a “divine steed”, a “steed inhabiting the mountain tops” – this
list of epithets that were conferred on the wonderful racer in ancient myths and legends
of India and Mesopotamia, Egypt and Babylon, Greece and Rome is far from being full.
Those steeds were a desirable booty and a sumptuous donation for many nations, Chinese
emperors and Russian tsars dreamt of them. China would call those steeds as “blood perspiring” and in the II century B.C. would wage war with Central Asia twice in attempt to take
possession of those divine racers.
What were scholars embarrassed with when defining the steed’s homeland? Obviously, with the fact that this horse type was reproduced by archaeological finds, dated
both to different centuries and millennia and attributed to lands and territories that were
separated by thousands of kilometres. Thereat, a large number of proofs pointed at one
and the same horse type, whether they were remains of a warhorse with entire harness,
well preserved in the permafrost of Altai burial mounds, or portrayals of chariots of Egyptian pharaohs that had impressed a typical exterior of the Akhalteke: a lean harmonious
build, a long back with high withers, a swan-like neck bend, thin legs, and mane thoroughly
trimmed.
In the XIV century B.C. in the Hittite kingdom a famous treatise about the horse
training appeared, being deciphered only at the beginning of the XX century, which by
general admission of ippologists exactly followed the technique of training of the Akhalteke,
widely applied by the Turkmens. By the way, when paying attention to a complete identity in
horse training with the Hittites and later Turkmens, many researchers noticed a wonderful
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our pride and glory
coincidence of types of garments of the Hittite queens and traditional holiday attire of the
Turkmen women, preserved till nowadays, in ancient reliefs.
Quite a lot similar coincidences are known, very likely the most typical one is
a sophisticated set of massive silver adornments for the female clothes, which elements
- worn on the head, shoulders, breast, hands - presume their formerly defensive application
with the legendary Amazons of the antiquity, renowned for their masterly riding the horse
and shooting arrows in flight.
The researchers discerned a male lambskin papakha “telpek”, which is still worn
by shepherds in the desert, to get rid of the heat in the images of horsemen, imprinted in
eminent Orkhon-Yenisei stony characters. Their horses reproduce the shape of Akhalteke
steeds: the same swan-like neck and nice head, the same long straight legs. As researchers suppose, in the 500’s B.C. thereto, on the banks of the Yenisei, Sakkis tribes migrated,
escaping raids of Darius.
And here is the description of the steed that had managed “to reach” the Altai at
the dawn of the new era and was disclosed in one of the burial mounds two thousand years
later, “Owing to the permafrost, researchers were lucky to excavate a mummy of a large
golden-chestnut, well-proportioned, well-trained steed with a graceful head and beautiful
neck – neither a scratch, nor a trace of whip was available thereon.”
This historical digression will be incomplete without mentioning the latest discoveries of outstanding archaeologist Victor Sarianidi, who had unearthed a centre of one of
A fragment of glazed tile from
Kunyaurgench. XIV century
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Akhalteke —
the oldest civilizations of the planet – the country of Margush in the Karakum desert, which
the modern science acknowledges to be on an equal footing with the ancient civilizations
of China, India, Mesopotamia, and Egypt. It took thirty seasons of archaeological excavations, videlicet, thirty years for the heroic scientist not only to disclose in quicksand of the
Karakum desert a site of ancient kingdom but to produce convincing proofs to the research
community pertaining to the origination of the first world religion there – Zoroastrism.
All but majestic ruins, stretching for kilometres, of the capital town of Gonur-depe
that has staggered archaeologists by its subtly designed architecture and well thought-out
lifestyle of people have remained today of once prosperous Margush or Margiana. Turkmens’ forefathers, those people that began developing a formerly fertile expanse in the old
delta of the Murghab river still in the third millennium B.C., were skilful architects, builders,
smiths, potters and jewellers, and were aware of the secrets of smelting metal and bronze,
treatment of gold and silver.
It is no mere chance that still in the Bronze Age, elite steeds were reared, tamed,
trained and, on special occasions, sacrificed there. The foal buried with especial respects,
a series of bronze trumpets – special musical instruments intended exclusively for training
horses, a diminutive bronze sculpture in the form of a horse head with a long neck and
large, like the Akhalteke’s, eyes. V.I. Sarianidi asserts that all these finds testify that at the
turn of the III-II millennia B.C. ancient Turkmen tribes laid the foundation for the selection of
elite species, resulted in the creation of the Akhalteke genealogy.
Certainly, the aforesaid are only fragments reflecting the epic picture created by
the labour of artists, historians and archaeologists in different periods of time. Both rock
images of a thoroughbred horse, sculptures, frescos and bás-reliefs, depicting the same
external appearance in the later epoch, and patterns of osteological collections reconstitute
a holistic look of the ancient steed identical to the modern Akhalteke. Meanwhile, someone
sees the lack of the most important link in the chain of proofs of such direct tie – the DNA
examination. To realize this method, which is quite feasible from the point of view of the
present-day science, one should find the remains of an ancient horse in a good state of
preservation somewhere in permafrost strata. In this regard, the Altai horse was unlucky:
the science was immature at that moment. And so far as one can wait for the next fortunate
find of this kind for a long time, let’s try to prove things evident for us by dint of a logic path
available.
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our pride and glory
Bronze ware from Gonur-depe: hand signal
horn for horse training and walking-stick handle
A foal remains in Gonur necropolis
31
Gonur-depe excavations panorama
Akhalteke —
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In the sun
of the Turkmen land
“Falcon is your blood-brother,
light-winged dove is your brother”
From the poem “Steed” by Myataji
D
isputes on the exact period of the horse’s domestication for the first time have
been arguing for a long time and are seemed endless: indeed, beyond five
million years of the horse evolution it presents difficult to discern the moment
of transformation of a wild tarpan into a kind, fast, almost judicious creature.
But by dint of what evolution has a horse gained an intellect, without which it
would have never become a steed – a messenger and a motive power of civilization?
A well-known proverb says, “No one has even made a dent in their work”, stating
the impossibility of proving things with the lapse of time. In the etymology of the proverb is
the key to the question regarding the steed’s origin. Not a horse, but exactly a steed. As
another proverb says: “a jade bears water, a horse ploughs, a steed is under a saddle”. “No
one has even made a dent in their work” in the location, where there were not any steeds
and they couldn’t be there: outside the areal of its natural spreading and human taming. The
Turkmens have happened to be on this land at proper time and in proper place. Quite obviously, a horse had been already waiting for them there, being fostered by a peculiar climate
and nature of this blessed land. As for people, they took a hand and soul – and a steed had
come into being of a horse.
As we have already known, and the foal from Margush “witnesses” thereof: a
pure-strain steed, being buried with royal, indeed, honours, was a pride of this land already
five thousand years ago. Then, the history should be “twirled” back to those testimonies of
the past, accessible for us, that resurrect much older cultures, flourishing in the homeland
of the Akhalteke.
And Akhal is the homeland, which narrow fecund strip stretches along the Kopetdagh spurs. Valleys protected from the cold winter winds, grasses of mountainous meadows
unfading in summer, watering in springs and rivulets everywhere - the aforesaid is an integral
part of the landscape of Kesearkach (the former name of Akhal).
From time immemorial the land of Akhal, rich in pastures and water resources, has
become a cradle of the earliest in Central Asia culture of ancient agriculturists. This culture
aged, at the minimum, 8 thousand years. Its traces can be observed there in all parts: in the
desert and at foothills, along the beds of dried out rivers and in caves. Traces of human activity have preserved in the form of implements, utensils and real works of art made of stone
and bone, ceramics and metal, including bronze, silver and gold. The architecture - from clay
huts, sanctuaries and unassailable fortresses to luxuriant palaces and temples, reminds of
the distant ancestors of the Turkmens. Certainly, few things that local towns were renowned
for in old days have escaped destruction till nowadays. But long before large human settle-
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ments emerged, centres of primeval economy had been formed there, after their study archaeologists arrived at a conclusion that the present Akhal served as a north-eastern frontier
of the formerly fore-Asian world that stretched therefrom to the Mediterranean littorals.
Jeitun - very likely, it is the first link in the interminable chain of settlements replacing each other. Today it is a scarcely noticeable mound on the very brink of sands, 28
kilometres north-westward of Ashkhabad city. And at the turn of the VII-VI millennia B.C., one
of numerous settlements of early agriculturists and cattle-breeders located there. But it was
Jeitun that, owing to its being thoroughly investigated in the XX century, had happened to be
the standard monument of its epoch and soundly introduced a notion of a “Jeitun culture” into
the science. Still in those days people learned to cultivate wheat, reared goats and sheep,
and dogs were turned into loyal companions in chase and guarded livestock and dwellings.
The climate was much milder then, and the lowland strip was considerably broader. Gradually the picture had changed, desertification processes started in the north and life expanses
had been displacing towards the Kopetdagh.
Anau is the next link in the chain. Not far from the modern village, an administrative centre of the Akhal velayat today, two mounds aged 7 thousand years have preserved.
The American expedition, headed by Raphael Pampelli, commenced excavations there in
1904 and discovered gramineous residues of the famous white wheat ak bugdai - the first
evidence of the selection gift of the ancient Turkmens.
The Anau culture existed in the V - early III millennia B.C. It was mostly higher in
principle level of the society development. Numerous clay vessels with an ornamental painting, beads made of various stones, including turquoise and cornelian, verified the appearance of the applied art. At last, it was in Anau where in 2000 the archaeologists had managed to disclose a stone seal, the object of archaeologists’ cheerful agitation, as notches
thereon so resembled characters!
Though, finds of peculiar interest to us were available as well. More than twenty
five years ago a terracotta model of a horse head with a thoroughly trimmed mane was
disclosed in Altyn-depe settlement. A proud bearing of a lean, carefully fashioned head of
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the horse with pricked up ears cogently proves its elite rather than household type. And
earlier, in the course of archaeological excavations carried out immediately after the World
War II researchers discovered terracotta models of light, uniaxial chariots on the surface of
Namazga-depe site of ancient settlement close to Kaakhka, hardly bulls or camels were
harnessed in them (in this case biaxial four-wheeled carriages were used). Both finds dated
to the V millennium B.C.
Thousands of years later that land was called Parthia, and its famous steeds – the
Parthian. Light iron chariots would turn into a menace of Parthia, where tactics of a chariot
battle would have been developed to an unprecedented perfection...
So, a steed-warrior, a steed-knight, a steed-winner... But where are their forefathers, where have their tracks lost this time?
As some scientists suppose, no grounds are available to doubt that wild species
of horses in Central Asian areas should differ from the steppe ones. Uneasy life, full of suddenness, elapsing in the warm climate and auspicious fodder conditions, stimulated the evolution of those horses towards an exclusive swift-gait and mobility, acute organs of sense,
higher excitation and, hence, high perfection of the nervous system.
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Akhalteke —
Subsequently, these valuable traits were maintained and developed by a human.
According to this theory, the progress in the horses’ improvement was considerably promoted by their feeding with grain rather than solely with alfalfa and hay, but it was possible
owing to the development of agriculture in those areas.
So, everything tallies. There were the people, and the fodder, and the climate,
and the landscape – everything required to tame a wild horse. But, as we have already
known, its evolution has been lasting for five million years. And we have a period of 3-4
thousand years – from Jeitun to Margush. Presuming it to be the final stage of our horse
evolution, then it was within this period when a high organization of its nervous system had
been formed. However, the science asserts that only latent traits display themselves under
the landscape influence on the organism, no new genes are formed. Under this theory,
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natural selection and the landscape just distribute species on the earth surface, not creating them.
The Akhal oasis of plenty was one of the earth’s spots where, according to the
“nature’s distribution”, an ancient Turkmen horse found itself. And the potentialities it concealed were revealed by the ancient Turkmen people that had inculcated in it those qualities,
which made that horse a steed, and not merely a steed but the Akhalteke.
The whole subsequent millennial selection of the Akhalteke is an obligatory interbreeding of eminent lines inside one race without any deviations. Year by year, century by
century, millennium by millennium! In the solidity of the blood, its capability to be reproduced
in the millennial selection and gain victory in any interbreeding is the main virtue of this race,
ensuring it almost a physical immortality on the earth.
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Akhalteke —
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our pride and glory
In harmony with nature
“The best steed is a swiftly running steed”
Turkmen proverb
T
he awareness of the hoary antiquity whereto roots of the nation traced back
suggests an idea: but who taught the Turkmens themselves the keen comprehension of nature, and to respond with the wealth of their souls to its riches,
forming an organic, phenomenal indeed confluence of a human and the surrounding world?
The Turkmens are breeders by nature, as their selection skills have emanated
from it, deriving inspiration, intellect, and expediency therein. Possessing intuition and efficiency, endowed by God and their lavish land, these children of nature have grown into
its academicians, having mastered the principle of evolution as an expedient rather than
casual selection effected in the interiors of the nature itself. Certainly, they were unaware
either of the concept of “evolution”, or especially “heredity”, not to mention “genotype” in
those days. Only today we become familiar that any living organism is a sustainable system, wherein the tendency to alteration is restrained within certain limits of heredity. The
new appears through the selection of the breeders, capable to reveal the required trait.
By the way, one of arguments in favour of the ancient origin of the Akhalteke
indicates not only the fact of constancy of its type exactly in this point of the planet, but a
rare quality of radical and quick ennobling of the type of other breeds, the quality so characteristic of the present-day Akhalteke, as we know. So, historical records say that medieval
China had improved its horse-breeding through usage of rare mares and stallions – sires
and studs of the divine breed, as ameliorators of local breeds. For a long time numerous
troops of Chinghizkhan and his descendants failed to profit by their numeric advantage
until horses produced by intermixture with the Turkmen horses appeared in the Mongolian
troops.
Today, it has been substantiated that all outstanding species of saddle-horses,
including Arab and English, have descended from the Akhalteke. At one time this subject
was heavily argued, in particular, someone opined that a racehorse was created by English
livestock specialists themselves. Yes, they have created new specimens, but from such a
splendid material at hand as the Akhalteke. To tell the truth, for a long time an opinion existed that precisely the Arab horse had been such a material, moreover, the Akhalteke itself
was deemed to originate from it. Subsequently, such opinion was debunked by scientistsippologists, who rejected the very presumption that a tall, bony, crooked-nose Tekke could
originate out of a small, solid, roundish Arab with a small head.
Not a man but the nature produces new species, and their ennobling is the human’s concern. At least, the science states the aforesaid. The ancient Turkmen horse was
that very donation of the nature, which was perceived by the Turkmens as its finished
material adapted to the environment. Hence, light-golden coat, and sound combination of
long lines - thin legs, a long neck, an oblong body, and easy breath - signs of strength and
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energy, and graceful free movements, facilitating horse’s sliding along sandy soils - easily
altering gaits while running.
“The best steed is a swiftly running steed”, this folk proverb is an illustration of
not so much the steed’s role as the human’s part in its training, i.e. in modern phraseology,
the ippological grounds of its training. The speed is an indispensable target to be attained
in the modern training as well. Thereat, in most opinions the speed and endurance are two
different factors: fast steed is not always of great endurance and vice versa.
The Turkmens - innate ippologists – have never considered it right. A fast steed
couldn’t but be of great endurance; otherwise it wouldn’t have become a herald and express
messenger of civilization from Mesopotamia to China.
“If even you have ridden on its back throughout the world, it would not have got
fatigued either”, a Turkmen destan says. Another folk saying states, “Pedigree steeds have
a feature, the longer they gallop the stronger they are.”
Mittanian Kikkuli who served as a senior groom (one of the highest positions at
the court of Hittite kings) based mainly on a speed factor in his training practice. And he
borrowed it from the places, where it had been already formed, where strictly speaking
the training itself had been elaborated, thereat long before kingdoms of Mittani and Hittite
emerged. It was actually a system of techniques, consolidating the rapidity of gaits alteration - from pace and trot to the gallop, being the basic condition of horses’ speed and endurance during multi-kilometre passages. Historical documents attested that still five centuries
ago a harnessed horse was able to cover 150 kilometres in a daytime passage to the Hittite
kingdom - a record index for today.
Then, still in the extreme antiquity such system had been perfected for a training
cycle lasting several days, being alternated by loads and relaxation, intensive feeding and
starvation, “perspiration” and “drying” of horses that as a result of such training attained not
only the required physical form, but developed the innate speed and stamina within limits
set by a human. And as regards limits, they were high - the steed was prepared for military
campaigns, lasting for several days, and had to be able: to bear untiringly a horseman and
heavy harness, to manage without fodder and drinking for days and nights, to fight on an
equal footing with a man, to manouevre on the battle-field with the incredible, appalling
quickness and to escape from the enemy at the fuller speed.
“Until a connoisseur gets down to business, an ambler will never come of a horse,”
one more Turkmen saying states. By the way, an amble is an innate though unnatural gait
of a horse, it should be specially fixed: it is faster than a trot, but more convenient for a rider
first of all. Thereat, the horse puts forward either two left legs or two right legs, whereas in
trot – the left foreleg and the right hind leg and vice versa.
When studying the description of Kikkuli’s training, the scientist resorted to the
fact that steeds were standing still, pacing or galloping in ancient images. It means that
horses were ambling, now slackening, now quickening paces. Such inborn ability to alternate paces while running was taken into consideration by ancient seises-trainers, and longterm trainings expressed themselves in an exclusive quickness of gaits’ alteration. These
trainings, aimed at fostering horse’s endurance, developed the innate speed in it, the two
inseparable traits.
Beyond doubt, such training was mostly stipulated by virtues of the Turkmen steed
itself, possessing a gentle and resilient pace. Ippologists stress that if another thoroughbred
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saddle-horse runs raising legs high and swinging its body, the Akhalteke, irrespective of its
rather steep pasterns, runs easily, as if sliding on the earth, and its body doesn’t swing. It
lowly takes out the leg from the wrist joint. With a sliding movement it leans on the soil and
resiliently pushes off. You see, for millennia the Akhalteke has been reared in the desert on
the sandy soil what inevitably affects the nature of its gaits. Ancient Turkmen seises had not
merely disclosed horse’s capacities but fitted a key to its well-behaved soul, responding to
the human’s will.
Authentic information concerning the way of round of Akhaltekes, conducted later
by the Turkmen seises, was obtained in the course of special expeditions of the Russian
scientists-horse-breeders to Turkmenistan in the twenties-thirties of the XX century. In general, such training was characterized as follows:
…The Turkmens weaned the foals from dams not earlier than they were five-six
months. However, quite often a foal remained in the daikhan’s homestead and followed
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its mother till it was one. It was accustomed to halter before the weaning, after that it was
driven by a bridle-rein. Perhaps, a horse, grown up nearby a human’s dwelling and being fed from his hands, was more easily trained from the very first days. When a foal got
accustomed to bits and a bridle-rein, a small pack of two sheaves of alfalfa were put on
its back, thereby inuring it to a sense of burden on the back. Afterwards a boy mounted a
horse under one and the preparation to the autumn races of one and a half years old foals
commenced.
The preparation consisted of three periods and lasted for five-six months. The
first 2-2,5 months the horse was put on a leash and fattened up by giving it daily 6 kilogrammes of barley and alfalfa in plenty. If it poorly put on weight, then a mixture of melted
suet, eggs and flat cakes was added to the barley.
3-3,5 months before an “endurance” was started: i.e. yearlings were withered a
little while pacing under a koshma and covering a 15-20-kilometre distance per day (in four
intervals).
Then they went over to a more serious operation: up to five ridings at a pace were
made per day, by the end of the month - fast gallop daily at a distance up to 1500 metres,
gradually making it longer.
Five days before the races three ridings at a pace and in trot were made daily.
On the race day a fast running till heavy perspiration (sweat should pour on the soil) in the
morning. After perspiration the foal was fed with green alfalfa and handled to the races,
where prior the contest the horse was led and fed a brig of alfalfa one by one, and just
before the start - a handful of barley.
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The horse was deemed to be ready for contests if its ribs and back-bones were
clearly protruded, and its hair on the crupper remained dishevelled after stroking. After the
races, horses had been driving for a long time.
There existed another training system as well, when on the contrary less fodder
was given in the first period to make the horse thin, and as the race season approached
they were fattened by dint of adding corn meal and fat of sheep’s tail to barley; seises believed the aforesaid developed an unusual strength in racehorses...
A long swan-like neck of the Akhaltekes the Turkmens have been developing
from of old, making them reach out for the fodder, placed in a hollow specially dug in the
earth. Since infancy foals, burdened with a cargo, had been trained the fast run. Being
combined with a scanty fodder, such training formed a thorax, squeezed on both sides with
a deep but flat rib. Such shape of the chest enhanced fighting capabilities of a steed, as it
succoured to oust the enemy, to strike him by a vigorous blow from the front. A blow from
the rear was struck by hooves, which great Italian traveller Marco Polo amazingly described
to be “so firm that they need no forging”. A natural defensive caper of a horse (in scientific
language “capriole”), when prior its culmination a horse kicks by hind legs, the Turkmens
have also adapted to serve military goals and taught a steed to kick by its powerful hooves
only on the battle-field. It is well-known that the Akhalteke will never kick or hurt an infant,
not to mention a human, fostering it days and nights.
Since ancient times the Turkmens, skillful hunters, had trained their steeds for
hunting as well. Horse battue allowed replenishing food reserves of the whole tribe or army
prior a military campaign. Thereat, not a single animal was killed in excess.
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In the battue hunting a famous Turkmen greyhound (tazy)
was used that was trained to sit on the horse crupper behind the
owner. The Turkmens observed clear-cut pedigree lines of the tazy
and were aware of peculiar secrets that maintained the greyhound in
a perfect form for hunting. In autumn, on the hunting eve, they were
dressed in small horse-clothes of felt fabric or koshma that were took
off just before the chasing.
Hunting birds were especially popular. Their taming and
training required much skill. Professional falconers were managed
to prepare a wild bird for hunting within 10-15 days after its catch.
Three types of birds of prey were mainly tamed: a golden eagle, a
falcon and a hawk. During the first days special small caps were put
on the birds’ heads or their eyelids were carefully sewed together
with a horse hair. When a hunting bird was used to respond calmly
on the owner’s voice or his touch, to sit firmly on his hand, and to be
not afraid of the surrounding noises, the thread was cut to release
the eyelids. A well-trained bird of prey was an essential helper for the
hunting horseman and was highly appreciated throughout Asia.
The Turkmens are congenital breeders as, for centuries
dealing with systematic refinement of their horses’ species, they have
been interbreeding only the necessary, extracting only useful things
from the increase. In the process of sound selection three specimens
of horses, being generated in abundance by the landscape of the
Turkmen land, were transformed in a steed of “blue blood”, adapted
to needs of those who intended to develop the life expanses thoroughly and capably. In those distant times a war-horse was in great
demand - the Turkmens “moulded” it, but not just moulded but inhaled
a soul in it, having completed a harmony of the natural landscape of
their homeland.
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Steed is everything
for the Turkmens
A
“I shan’t call you a steed, I shall call you a brother,
you are closer than a brother to me”
From “Oguznama” epic
few people can be found on the Earth whose ancient history is materialized
in the cultural monuments that have reached the present in their primordial
beauty and imperishable significance. Every thing that hands of the skilful
nation had touched has been permanently registered in the global civilization
for the greatness of conception, perfection of implementation and practical
reproduction in centuries. You see, till nowadays the best horse between heaven and earth
is the Akhalteke, the best carpet in the world is the Turkmen carpet, Saraja sheep and
sheep-dog “alabai” are unsurpassed sui generis, as well as vaharman melon, and the national garments of the Turkmen women, and silver jewelry, having become the embodiment
of musical and poetical spirit of our nation. So the main monument to the nation is the nation
itself, which has preserved its primordial essence of a nation-creator during five thousand
years of its history, irrespective of incredible leaps and zigzags of this very history. And now
a proud side-view of the Akhalteke afresh arises as a symbol of history of the nation itself,
which primary name was concealed under the names of territories, epochs, civilizations,
where the Turkmens found themselves and where they were and had remained loyal to
their God and themselves.
Such long-term historical migration that had absorbed an external, nominal
belonging of the nation at some stages could never undermine its foundation. And
nevertheless what ethnic group, state, territory absorbed or enslaved this nation in
various periods of history, it had invariably maintained the core of the nation, which
sooner or later made itself known by a powerful state formation. Ruhnama says, “The
achievements of the Oguzs between the 1st and the 13th centuries cannot be denied.
It is an undeniable truth that the Parfiya State, the Gaznalys, the Seljuks, and the Koneurgencs affected the historical and political development of the world and reached a
high level of accomplishment in the cultural and economic realms.”
Having moved on vast expanses of the world, the Turkmens couldn’t be a nation
small in numbers and vigour, otherwise no vivid evidence of their unique and flourishing
culture would have emerged on every crossroads of the world culture, namely, a warhorse
facilitating the victory in the conquering campaigns of the mankind. The Turkmen cavalry
was reputed to be the best in the world throughout all periods of the Turkmen history, and
Turkmen steeds brought fame to all Turkmen states and rulers. The Turkmens’ military
scholarship, being improved from century to century, gave birth not only to great commanders but to the unknown heroes, the heroes that were described in ancient chronicles
as “they are raging like storm and lightning, and know no retreating battle formation”.
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Principal tactics of the horse battle was in such “no retreating”, which the
Turkmens used both in ancient times and later on, especially when they invented a rigid
saddle and stirrups. The Huns, Parthians and Seljuks had a perfect command of loose
order, skillfully (after utterly wearing down of the enemy) decoyed him into an ambush
and, having instantly broken their elements, vacated a space for the heavy cavalry. “A
steed – that is a super-weapon of the nomads, which has laid down whole countries to
their feet”, later historians asserted when keeping in mind the heroic Seljuk epoch.
And how many true stories about a “human” behaviour of a steed people’s
memory keeps, thus resurrecting unforgettable pages of the liberation struggle of the
Turkmens. Lots of glorious victories they have gained and often found themselves in
the utmost dramatic situations, defending honour and freedom of their land in unequal
fights. There was an episode in the Merv war (1860-1861) when sixty-thousand-strong
enemy cavalry could do nothing against fifty Turkmen horsemen.
At the end of XIX century, the Turkmens gave the last in their history battle
for their soil and freedom. Fortitude and heroism they revealed therein stunned foes
themselves, and the Geok-Tepe fortress, being heroically defended for forty days and
surrendered only under the onrush of tsar’s guns, went down to the history of the
Turkmens’ war of liberation as an unfading page of the people’s valour and fame. One
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of eyewitnesses of that battle wrote with amazement, “... the Akhalteke stallion, taking
away three Turkmens (!) from the Cossacks’ pursuit, wearing two rather heavy cloths
and being wounded with a sabre, took away its horsemen to Merv (distance about 500
versts)”.
A horseman’s centuries-old training has never betrayed a Turkmen - neither
in days of victory nor in days of defeat, neither on the own land nor on the foreign soil,
whereto he was called for help, for aid, or where he found himself owing to circumstances beyond his control. It occurred like this when the Turkmen cavalry was sent
to the World War I. Its good name resounded throughout the front and was registered
in lots of military chronicles of those days. Hereinafter we quote just an extract therefrom, “... In colossal papakhas and robes, well-proportioned, dark-complexioned on
slim, nervous and withered horses, they create a furore everywhere. They are keeping
an uneven formation, acts as friends, as comrades-in-arms, possessing equal rights,
equal strength, acknowledging only their own preceptorial horse and sabre techniques.
While mounting the steeds, with wonderful movements they take flaps of their robes
underneath and sharp clamours of the headmost announce about setting out. They repudiate a trot - only a gallop and a full gallop or a fine pitch, even, during which they sit
on horses as if rooted to their backs - evenly, slimly, marvellously, making everybody
admire them. Having sized the foe up, these wonderful horsemen have so impetuously
and furiously charged the infantry as only these true warriors-poets are capable...
Troops, watching the dashing charge of Teke horsemen, shouted “Hurrah!” in delight
and couldn’t tear themselves away from this brilliant, fascinating battle scene. The
enemy army was utterly smashed - it was undoubted. The Tekke, having contributed
much thereto, were made a fuss. But the horsemen kept modest silence, as usual,
and only in the evening, in low voices they shared with each other, recollecting some
episodes of the fight, and showing how their faithful friends-steeds flew with them...”
An intricate military training of the Turkmen steed included many things:
when a horseman fell down it stopped nearby the owner and let nobody approach him,
he continued dragging a horseman at the moment when the warrior initiated the death,
lay down next to the wounded and helped him to back, took its owner away from the
battle field, performed all sorts of manoeuvres - feint retreat, encirclement of enemies,
etc. Historians pay attention, inter alia, to a wonderful succession of the military art of
nations inhabiting Turkmenistan in different epochs.
And still wars, waged on the earth, wherein a steed was the most threatening weapon, were probably the secondary characteristic of the history. The first one
was a human factor, as they say today, that had predetermined the world’s movement
towards the development and progress. And the steed, being affectionately cherished
by a human, had played the most outstanding part therein.
The Turkmens came in the world not to fight; they came to render it habitable
- with a soundness dictated by the territory of their living and the depth of their spirit.
And Ruhnama narrates thereof, stratum by stratum disclosing the deepest deposits of
spirituality of the nation, which culture has found to be kneaded on this very spirituality, that has imparted it unprecedented phenomenal long-standing. The steed, as a
part of such culture and perhaps its founder, has grown into the vivid evidence of the
aforementioned longevity, and such soundness.
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Someone of the ancients noticed: they were on the horseback longer than on
the land surface. And the following testimony was left by the Parthians’ contemporary,
“At any time they are on horseback: during the war, being guests, when solving state
and private issues, when travelling, meeting, trading, deliberating”. “Every son of Allah is on horseback from childhood”, Russian travellers marvelled already in the XIX
century.
A steed is the core of the Turkmens’ existence. It was a central figure in all
folk festivities: wedding, son birth, circumcision (sunnet). The races were arranged (at
chapyshygy), horse games were organized, such as “ovlan chapdy” (goat-tearing). All
significant holidays and events were started by the races at a distance 250 to 1000
metres. One ought to watch the today’s horse races - both wind-like skimming steeds
blended in entity with horsemen and eyes of spectators on stands – both young and
old. They embrace everything capable to be expressed by human eyes at the moments
of the utmost delight…
A steed is the core of the Turkmens’ existence. Always, throughout centuries.
It is an object of thousands of proverbs and sayings; it is a hero of the whole verbal
folklore. The name of the mythological steed Duldul, like Ghyrat - a hero of Gorogly
epic, which flies over mountains and rivers rescuing its owners, preserves in minds
of the Turkmens as an everlasting sacred symbol of the life power. Duldul’s “feedingtroughs”, “stakes”, “hoof prints” have in abundance remained intact in very different
corners of Turkmenistan. The villagers of Baghir (a village in outskirts of Ashkhabad
city) keep as the apple of their eye a stone with hoof prints of Duldul. Passing round it
seven times with sick foals in hands is considered healing them of ailments.
As connoisseurs assert, the Akhalteke, which was fed from hands, enfolded
in love and care of the entire Turkmen family, was in a continual close contact with a
human, becoming humanized thereat. And a steed has always come to the rescue,
manifesting not only its centuries-old abilities of a fast, resembling the wind racer
but a peculiar nobleness of its nature that, brought together, was the essence of the
Akhalteke as a rare holder of the “blue blood” amongst the like. A highly developed
nervous system with extremely keen sense organs, an ardent, but controlled temperament, subtle intellect and a devoted heart were hidden under a luxurious exterior.
Every Turkmen had a steed in the homestead, and when foals were born the
news was widespread all over the environs as if a child was born. Only names rather
than nicknames were given to steeds. Accordingly, posterity was called as children
– a son, a daughter, a grandson, a great grandson... “In the morning visit your father,
afterwards – your steed”, an ancient Turkmen proverb says.
Skillful jewellers, the Turkmens always adorned their steeds, manufacturing
special outfit of silver bridles - “alagayysh” for them. Such was the custom still in antiquity when warhorses were put in a hauberk, consisting of hundreds of finest silver
plates-scales. The harness was manufactured by zergers from Merv, where from time
immemorial jewellers’ art thrived. Therefrom clothes’ sets for the “Amazons” were output, and henceforward, female adornments still valuable today.
And the following testimony was left by famous Hungarian traveller A. Vamberi who visited Turkmenistan at the beginning of the XIX century, “Indisputably, the
horse is the main instrument of the Turkmens, therefore a son of the desert loves it
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stronger than his wife, his children, himself. It is interesting to watch how solicitously
he tends the horse, how he dresses it to protect against frost or sultriness, what luxurious appointments decorate his saddle, when riding an adorned steed in rags he looks
rather queer. But the Turkmen horses are really magnificent and worthy of such caring:
every word about their quickness and endurance is not in the least exaggerated”.
When adapting to historical circumstances, the Turkmens led both nomadic
and settled mode of life, promoted powerful states and receded to the uninhabited
desert, conquered countries and were deprived of sway, however the aforesaid failed
to shake their inner life routine, obeyed to stable laws of their spirit. True apprentices
of their nature they have learnt the essentials: maximum adaptation to the conditions,
wherein they had to live, and survive, and enjoy the life. Neither indigence nor wealth,
neither heyday nor decline, neither years nor centuries has altered the main thing in
this lifestyle - their attitude to the life as such, to those natural primary sources that
have merged in a solid alloy of labour, inspiration and vital necessity. A Turkmen has
united the aforesaid with a brilliant simplicity and ingenuous wisdom. A son of the desert, he created a universal world model for himself, equally capable to be and remain of
full value, disregarding the socium forms - from a powerful state to a scattered nomad
encampment, from the royal palace to the shepherd’s tent. On this very land the wealth
as such couldn’t play the part it usually played in other geographical latitudes where
life weal was more accessible, but spiritual - cheaper.
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A steed was the basic wealth criterion for a Turkmen, properly speaking, the
steed laid the foundation for the life universality, when material and spiritual aspects
blended in an indissoluble unity.
Perhaps, the first carpet, woven by a Turkmen woman, came into being
thanks to the steed. For the woollen horse-cloth that covered the steed performed a
training function in addition to a protective one – to maintain a withered and elegant
shape. To make the steed perspire, a thick pure-wool mantle was required, - hence the
manufacturing of fine-fleeced wool of Saraja sheep began - one more ancient selection
product of the Turkmen land. Most likely, precisely in those days an eminent Turkmen
carpet emerged that side by side with the steed preordained the people’s way of life for
centuries. These two creatures of nature and human hands, equally useful and wonderful, also predetermined the world outlook and behaviour, and habits, and a physical
form of a Turkmen-horseman and his faithful concomitant - a wife - “the Amazon”. In
a minute such family was able to forsake the place and a swift-footed racer took them
away from a danger to a place, where they just laid a carpet to continue the life...
No woman in the world takes a seat on the carpet and rises from it as gracefully
as the Turkmen woman does till nowadays. Formerly, with the same easiness and gracefulness she could saddle a steed, vigorously and skillfully wove a horsecloth-saddlecloth for
it and adorned the latter with an unusually beautiful pattern and elegant tassels - an indispensable attribute of such horse attire. The carpet from the Pazyryk burial mound of Altai
was decorated with the portrayal of such exactly saddlecloth with tassels!
Having sharpened and perfected natural traits of their racer and made it a
family member and warrior-brother-in-arms, possessing equal rights, the Turkmens
have acquired that unifying link the nation so needs in its formerly fragmented social
and ancestral structure. Worshipping a steed with all might of their spiritual mould,
perceiving it as a remedy for rehabilitation of a single lifestyle, owing to the “divine
argamak”, they have developed such steadfast properties of their own as a fortitude,
intrepidity and patriotism that covered their history with glory of the magnanimous,
proud and invincible nation.
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A patch of tufted wool carpet from the fifth Pazyryk burial mound (the Mountainous Altai)
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The best from the best
“A camel has a big foot, a steed - glory”.
Turkmen proverb
A
lmost one hundred years will have to elapse until the Turkmens acquire
their freedom and independence. A steed-warrior will become a history. But
throughout these years much ordeals will fall both to the nation’s lot and the
steed. Two World Wars, including the civil one, mass and unceasing export
of Akhaltekes outside Turkmenistan, which hasn’t virtually been terminated
for a century, a blow that collectivization struck to the very heart of the folk selection – the
aforesaid taken one with another has inflicted a damage comparable with nothing to the
aboriginal horse-breeding of the Turkmens. In any event, in the early 80’s of the XX century scientists-ippologists wrote with great concern that a complete blood analysis of all
Akhalteke sires ascertained that the number of thoroughbred racers didn’t exceed several
tens. Several tens of the “divine argamaks”, keeping inward a genetic fund of all cultural
horse breeds of the world! Nobody knows what the tragedy would turn out like if not the
Turkmens’ affection to a steed!
Formerly the Turkmens had no written genealogy of their steeds, but they
knew their male line origin and conveyed such knowledge from generation to generation. The first pedigree book of the thoroughbred Akhalteke was issued in 1898, and
the Turkmen horse-breeders rendered assistance in its compilation. It was the expedition for the best from the better, being dictated by a profound people’s love. Steeds
had been sought in daikhan homesteads, nomad encampments in the desert were
attended, and occasionally inhabitants themselves brought steeds and reconstructed
the genealogy of their favourites in details. The best from the best was Boinou - a steed
that the people’s careful selection memory made the forefather of the modern lines of
the horses. Boinou, born in 1885, was a son of Lelyaning Chepi, a grandson of Karamne, a great grandson of Kutly Sapar, it was a legendary steed that had never been
the second in the races and left a great and fast posterity. Only an outstanding stallion
could be a head of the whole clan, amounting to hundreds of children, grandchildren
and great grandchildren. Dams’ fate is quite opposite: they have scarcely succeeded
to leave more than 10-12 foals. Therefore from time immemorial all lines are named
after the line of the eminent stallions.
Boinou’s progenies have become the forefathers of five independent lines: sons
Melekush and Melechek, grandsons Baba-Ahun and Dovlan-Iman, as well as great grandson Bek-Nazar-Al that have laid the foundation for a considerable breed branching.
In 1927, the Commission of the People’s Land Management Commissariat carried out the first zootechnical examination of steeds under guidance of famous zootechnician K. Gorelov. He had rendered great services in the analysis of known genealogies
and revelation of a genealogical structure of the breed. Further researches and elaborations assisted in the publication of the first State Pedigree book of Central Asian horse
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breeds in 1941. The book accumulated information about 287 stallions and 468 mares of
the Akhalteke origin.
At present the structural type of the Akhalteke breed is represented by seventeen
lines, being originated from the renowned stallions. Their names are as follows:
Aksakal
Scack
Everdy-Teleke
Kir-Sackar
Dor-Bairam
Posman
Sere
Peren
Yel
Gaplan
Fackir-Palvan
Sluchai
Garlavach
Arab
Sapar-Khan
Melekush
Gelishikli
In the State Pedigree book they are registered under their own roll numbers as
other sires and dams, so, one or another line is expressed by an intricate order of numerals,
reproducing the whole genealogy of a racer.
The Akhalteke breed was notable for many racehorses, which names were not
merely registered in the elite genealogy, but were forever commemorated in the people’s
memory. Melekush line is one of the legendary lines. It is the most widespread and favourite
name for the Akhalteke that has become almost a common name. Its origin is associated
with a famous legend.
... Once during the contest one racehorse was without a rival. Old men deliberated and arrived at a decision to choose a falcon as the steed’s rival. The news about an
unusual contest was spread all over Akhal; thousands of people came to have a look. So,
the falcon’s owner came forward, and raised up the bait - a piece of fresh meat. The bay
horse and the bird were released to the distance simultaneously. Like an arrow the steed
darted past the amazed spectators and a second later the falcon sank on the owner’s
hand. They say, since that time the Akhaltekes have been given birds’ names: Melekush
(dun bird), Garlavach (swallow), Garagush (eagle), Lachyn (falcon), Durna (crane), Burgut
(golden eagle). The Akhaltekes named Melekush have constituted a dynasty of racers with
clearly pronounced golden-dun tints.
…Once Melekush was sent to the International Leipzig fair as the most striking
representative of the breed. The public tightly encircled the steed, which golden gleams
from the straight hair seemed incredible. The steed shone with true gold. And people didn’t
believe and decided that the racehorse was dyed. Then Melekush was washed in the pres-
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our pride and glory
The legendary Boinou.
Late XX century photo
ence of the audience. Melekush took a shower with great pleasure, shook itself, having
raised a cloud of splashes, and remained, as it had been, golden-dun, only its well-proportioned and mighty body began twinkling with gold much brighter. Those present at the
exhibition were astonished, everybody actually fell in love with the Turkmen racehorse and
hadn’t broken up for long, admiring the unprecedented haughty points and gracefulness of
the Akhalteke.
The same Melekush caused not less, if not the higher sensation at the International exhibition in Delhi. The Indians, subtle connoisseurs of the steeds’ beauty, went into
indescribable raptures at the stallion and fascinatingly looked at it, like at the divine being.
On the final exhibition day they decorated the venerable Akhalteke with garlands of flowers,
and placed musicians and women-dancers nearby. After that the country’s elders ceremonially requested to leave Melekush in India in memory of the renowned poet and commander
Bairam Khan the Turkmen who is revered in India equally with the national heroes. Thus
Melekush was left in India.
But not for the world - it was an inviolable law throughout the times - the Turkmens parted with the elite “blue blood” stud-horses. They were willing to die rather than to
waive their age-old patrimonial law. But other times ensued, and the Akhalteke had other
masters.
After a successful 1935 Ashkhabad-Moscow horse passage, having not disgraced the honour of the Turkmen horseman and having lost not a single racer during that
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hard days-long passage, already there, in Moscow, they bade farewell to the best of the
best, including white-snow Arab. Ten years later marshal Zhukov would inspect the Victory
Parade on its back, and that very case justified the parting of the elite racer with the homeland. The Akhalteke Arab, a breed symbol, the messenger of its sunny country, will become
a Victory symbol, an envoy of peace! How proud the Turkmens would be with the fact, how
they would retell back and forth the wonderful story about Arab, which was awarded such
honour, to their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
And that’s the story. The claimant had been selected for a long time. A steed with
a sense of rhythm, set by a brass band, was required. In view of the aforesaid ten best racehorses were chosen, and the English horse was preliminary nominated. The rehearsal was
dragged out. Everybody was so worn out with the testing that horses were driven into the
enclosure. The military orchestra desired to have a rest as well, and changed a march for a
waltz. And all of a sudden, having jumped over the enclosure, a white stallion broke loose
to the ground. After waiting for a while, as if becoming accustomed to the melody sounds, it
began whirling in the waltz measure. Everybody stood still in delight. In the twinkling of an
eye the choice was in favour of this wonderful and musical racehorse.
One can hardly imagine how passionately it was loved by those who had tended
and cherished, fed and trained it, putting in it their whole soul and life, and ancestors’ memory! What bitterness and heart pain seises felt while parting with their favourites! Who but
they who shared their fate with a steed could endure with difficulty that the best, the most
thoroughbred racehorses were exported from the native land. But it was owing to them, the
Turkmen seises, that the Akhaltekes survived and continued their great genealogy during
the most dramatic period for the Turkmen horse-breeding.
... If a Turkmen seis is requested to narrate how Turkmen steeds are trained, he
will willingly expound about a steed itself, about uncommon capabilities of the Akhalteke,
recollect cases preserved in the people’s memory in the form of legends-monuments to
one or another racehorse. Well, as concerns the matter - he will say that a steed needs
love, proper fodder, night rides - to permit lungs breathe dew freshness, and to ride on
horseback, to ride as long as its mighty body, long muscles, swift legs and free soul require.
For any seis a steed is almost a human being. Apart from the centuries-old rules of maintenance and training of a steed, a seis, alias a trainer, alias a groom, alias a rider, is invested
with the gift to communicate with his nurseling that prompts only him, the seis, whether a
steed needs anything or not, how it should be cheered up before the races – either with a
kind word or an encouraging glance...
Seises are familiar with hundreds of prescriptions, healing a steed in case of any
ailment, but they will never provide with them, like at the drugstore, as a blank prescription will not work: you should not merely see a steed, you should feel it, take its pain upon
yourself. And if even a steed-rival falls ill before races, a seis with a risk to be defeated will
without fail lend aid, when he is sure that a sole remedy known only for him can help this
very steed. Such is the law of the heart that enjoins to raise a steed higher one’s self, higher
one’s own passions and emotions.
This generation of seises-trainers, seises-jockeys has rendered great services
continuing their fathers’ work and ascending the new rung of glory, having bred a brilliant
pleiad of sporting racers and developed in the Akhaltekes their inborn calling to serve a human selflessly, but in peacetime now.
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our pride and glory
The Victory parade. 1945
Babali Taimazov, the participant of 1935 Ashkhabad-Moscow horse passage,
devoted all his life to the Akhaltekes and headed a dynasty of seises-trainers. During the
Ashkhabad earthquake he lost all his family and rescued owing to steeds – that awful night
he stayed in a stable...
Steeds completely captured his life, he gave himself up to them with all restrained,
not showing off passion of a true horseman. Being a true personification of the Turkmen nature, he himself highly praised modesty and patience in people, denying any fuss. He said,
“My fellow-countrymen are the kind of nation that dislikes showing off their achievements.
Both joy and grief they keep in their interiors. Such restraint needs a heart, like steed’s.”
And that is how Babali Taimazov narrated how he accompanied Melekush’s
brother – Melekush II to London in 1956, where it was donated to the Queen of England.
“I wore a Turkmen red home-spun robe with a white telpek on my head. The
steed, scenting it was the object of attention, began playing. Well, I thought, it wouldn’t let
down. The Queen smiled and slightly applauded. I handed over the bridle to the English
groom. The latter proved to be a fine fellow. In a trice he mounted the steed. Suddenly,
the Queen showed with gestures: she wanted the English to dismount the horse. As if she
would like to say, “Dismount from the Turkmen steed, the Turkmen suits more to ride his
native racehorse”. The Queen was a sensible woman. At first sight she defined that the
Turkmen steed fitted only the Turkmen”.
Many world hippodromes applauded victories of Begmurad Muradov and his
Kandikap. But people called Begmurad solely Yemschik - this nickname was stuck to him
firmly. It was rumoured that Yemschik liked steeds more violently than his only son. Son
Dovlet, when grew up and followed in his father’s footsteps, affirmed the fact bearing no
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grudge against his father. “If I managed to accomplish only a hundredth of what my father
had done, I should be self-satisfied,” Dovlet used to say. He also narrated how his father
died, “One morning he went to see his favourite, then young, stallion Garlavach, he rode on
horseback, and in the evening a heart attack occurred”.
However, Yemschik had to experience much during his lifetime, when observing
feckless actions of those who caused the breed depreciation. With all his heart he resisted
the Akhaltekes’ crossbreeding with any race, even with the English thoroughbred. At one
time the aforesaid was a practice. “The races where half-breed steeds participate will never
become a tradition, the Turkmens will have reverted to the steeds of their breed”, this ardent
man said and was proved to be quite right.
... A steed stall implicated the whole world for Ata Ilev, whose name, unknown
during his lifetime, became a legend after his death. Everybody testified him to be a jockeynugget, a seis by God. When a boy, having only just mounted a horse, he had never dismounted it. During his lifetime Ata Ilev was employed as a trainer and a jockey at “Komsomol” stud-farm. But so far as nothing national had been appreciated in those days, no worth
presented the gifted seis-nugget who was knowledgeable of any racehorse and worked
wonders with it and on it.
But on the other hand, Dmitry Terentyevich Klimenko highly appreciated and was
immensely proud of his disciple. Both Maria Danilovna Cherkezova and he went down to
the history of the Turkmen horse-breeding as true patriots of the Turkmen land, selflessly
devoted to the Akhaltekes. Legends existed about their love to the Turkmen steeds, and
the Akhaltekes reciprocated their feelings. These people, who had found the vocation of
their life in Turkmenistan, preserved a tender attitude towards the soil that gave birth to the
Akhalteke racehorse till their end. Being strong and resolute persons, these trainers-seises
desperately struggled against the system ignorance and undertook much to maintain the
breed, not to permit its complete degeneration.
All people we have told about in brief are undoubtedly heroic people, being endowed with a peculiar gift to sacrifice every moment of their life serving this noble creature
of nature – a Turkmen racehorse. Of course, we can’t name all Turkmen seises whose
names are rightfully the objects of pride of the Turkmen horse-breeding. Nowadays, the
title “Honoured horse-breeder of Turkmenistan” is conferred on everybody who faithfully,
candidly and honestly serves the great and imperishable donation of the Turkmen land - the
Akhalteke steed.
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our pride and glory
69
Akhalteke —
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our pride and glory
To new sports
achievements
“A plane knows who plants it, a racehorse
knows who saddles it.”
Turkmen proverb
O
ne more glorious name is recorded in the history of Turkmen horse-breeding
- Vladimir Petrovich Shamborant - a scion of the old French family, wherein
cavalrymen succeeded continually. He saw an Akhalteke (it was famous
Melekush) at one of the pre-war agricultural exhibitions and fell in love with
it once and for all, consequently he devoted all his life to the Turkmen argamak. For the steed he had moved to Turkmenistan and was employed at Ashkhabad studfarm. In pursuit of the pedigree steeds Shamborant indefatigably travelled about the desert,
and visited remote villages. Owing to the unbelievable flair, he saw valuable traits even in
a manifestly unattractive horse and seldom erred - racehorses he had selected brought
wonderful offspring afterwards. The founders of the renowned lines Fackir-Palvan and its
half-brother Gelishikli, being awarded the title of the champion of the breed - present a
selection heritage of Shamborant. Having changed several stud-farms, wherein Akhalteke
departments were established due to his titanic efforts, he fought, struggled for them, like a
lion, and till the end of his life regretted that he had to leave the homeland of argamaks.
For his lifetime he couldn’t cease but admire the Turkmen horse. “It is the oldest of the old, the most thoroughbred of the thoroughbred,” he said, abruptly repudiating
any attempt to make the Akhalteke a universal steed, to recast it “both for water and for
voivode”. He was obsessed by an idea to revive an ancient type of the Turkmen warhorse
that had almost been lost; he saw in it the congenial capacity for dressage and caper. He
was absolutely sure that a brilliant future lay before the Akhalteke and dreamt of some time
when it would run on an equal footing with the English saddle-horse - a blood successor of
the Turkmen argamak.
The English thoroughbred is thought to excel the Akhalteke in speed. It is not
absolutely true. It has become the fastest breed in the world only owing to the Akhalteke
blood, having been injected in its veins. How it happened is both a curious and preaching
story.
...As is well-known, the Ottoman state that had been holding sway over the one
third of the earth for more than 600 years was set up by the Turkmens. Therefrom, from
Asia Minor, Akhaltekes were exported in abundance to Europe. That is how, as the “Turkish”, they had found themselves in England, wherein from time immemorial the population
appreciated and was knowledgeable of horses. Having noticed a salutary influence of the
Oriental newcomers on the local breed, the Englishmen caught time by the forelock. Being
skillful selectors, they laid the foundation of a new breed out of three outstanding oriental
stallions that, by the fate fancy, were quite differently brought to England. Black Barley Turk
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was taken from the Ottomans during a siege of Vienna and brought to England by Captain
Barley in 1688. Bay horse Darley Arabian was bought by the English merchant Thomas
Darley from Bedouins in 1709. Dark-bay Akhalteke Godolphin got to England from France
in 1724. But, nevertheless, it were they - three pedigree racehorses who became the forefathers of the male lines of the new English breed, having preordained its entire evolution
in strict observance of the blood purity.
For a long time English saddle-horse was deemed to have an Arabian origin. But
it was, most likely, a semantic delusion caused by the name of one of the forefathers of the
breed - Arabian.
You see, as concerns the aforesaid, the Akhalteke has had no luck in it. Dun stallion Turkmen-Atti, which was brought to Germany in the 90’s of the XVIII century and gave
birth for the eminent saddle-horse of Trakenen breed, was registered in the pedigree books
of Trakenen stud-farm as Arabic. Properly speaking, it was given such name when, being
presented to the celebrities, it was recognized by one of the Turkish guests who exclaimed
aloud, “Turkmen atti!” (Turkmen horse).
And as regards the Arabic racehorses themselves, then it was taken for granted
long ago that the Arabs who also were experts in horses gained them through crossing with
the Akhaltekes. But as that process commenced long ago, with an advent of Islam to Middle
Asia, then the veritable origin of the “Arab” had vanished in time. You see, even “Gorogly”
epic says that the legendary Gyrat originated from the Arabic racehorse. But it is the extraneous insertion, being introduced into the epic under the impact of the Arabic culture.
However, whatsoever, the Akhalteke was and remained the Akhalteke. “And its
skin tenderness is out of the common. Even when quiet all veins are depicted. Even a layman will inevitably arrive at a conclusion concerning a great blood of the Akhalteke horse”.
In such words one of the Russian travellers conveyed his astonishment and amazement at
the end of the XIX century. In Russia Turkmen horses, called argamaks, have been brought
in great numbers since the XV century, and owing to them Don, Streletsk, and Orel-Ros-
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topchin breeds were created. And surely, all best breeds of the Near East and Middle East
bear their blood: Karabair, Lokai, Naiman breeds in Central Asia, Karabah and Kabardin
breeds in the Caucasus, many breeds in Turkey and Iran. In turn, almost all the rest saddle
and light-draught breeds have originated from the Arabic and English racehorse, which is
also called a thoroughbred saddle-horse. Therefore, the modern Akhalteke breed is a direct
successor of the ancient Turkmen thoroughbred horse and according to professor V.Vitta
presents, “... last drops of that source of pure blood, which has created the whole horsebreeding of the world”.
At the beginning of the XX century, two thousand and five hundred years later, the
mankind will recall the Olympic Games - a great achievement of the ancient Greeks who
have opened the world the beauty and entertainment of sporting events. The truth that the
novel is the bygone soundly forgotten will be confirmed anew. This truth will be also corroborated, when alternating each other for several recent centuries the eminent European
school of riding will revert to its initial natural principles of the horse dressage. It will turned
out that no artificial training methods, made sterner by a whip and spurs, will arouse horse’s
innate capabilities to capering, elegant and graceful movements.
“When music was playing in the East, Europe was dreaming under the ice...”.
This wide-spread aphorism will be also proved by horse as an example, to be more exactly
a steed, not unknown but quite real one with the name and glory. We mean the Akhalteke
Absent, the son of our famous Arab. But it will not just augment its father’s fame but it will
increase it tenfold, having gone down to the history of the world equestrianism. For twelve
years he will have been holding the first place in three Olympic Games in succession - in
Rome (1960), Tokyo (1964) and Mexico (1968). Under the saddle of an outstanding rider
Sergey Filatov it will actually win the world and be awarded the title “the horse of the XX
century”. Absent will be second to none in dressage, the most exquisite form of the equestrian contests, and it will be trained to perform with such unsurpassed splendour the passage - the hit in the highest school of riding, that exactly this motion will be commemorated
in the monument to it.
In the passage a horse is moving in a rhythmic trot, keeping the measure and
observing certain pauses when switching over to the diagonal (i.e. from the right foreleg to
the left hind leg – left foreleg - right hind leg and vice versa).
In the manege - the element of triathlon, including field tests and show jumping
(surmounting obstacles), a rider demonstrates an alteration of gaits - from a pace to a gallop or trot, etc.
The famous Viennese Spanish school of riding requires natural gaits, securing
that a horse moves under a rider as if it is alone. When Sergey Filatov competed on the
Akhalteke Absent with the strongest riders of the world – representatives of the best riding
schools - English, Italian, German, he actually manifested a centuries-old school of training
of the Turkmen steed. In his book titled “Rome applauds” he describes the appearance of
the Akhalteke racer that at the first sight has subdued him and henceforth the whole world,
“A shining black beauty, built with uncommon harmony stood in front of me. A splendid
pedigree head with a white star in the forehead. A majestic swan-like neck. Straight legs in
white stockings... While working Absent was obedient, like a child, it seemed to be trained
quite easily. To tell the truth it was extremely nervous and very punctilious. It had never even
crossed my mind to punish it with spurs. Absent responded to such punishment very en-
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ergetically and would bear it in mind for a long time. And have I never punished it severely
while working with it.”
By the time, when Absent was winning the Olympic pedestals, the western-European school of dressage gained a foothold in equestrianism that waived artificial movements - effective but very difficult for a horse. The approach to the assessment of the
sportsmen’s performance had been radically changed. As before, the performance should
be beautiful. But then, the beauty was discerned not in the most complicated elements,
like a trot or a gallop on three legs, but in horse’s gentle, natural, free movements under a
saddle, in its subordination to a human - full and willing.
So, it was no accident that the Akhalteke Absent began twinkling on the world
horse horizon, its movements were not simply whetted by the rider, but were polished by
the centuries-old culture of the Turkmen horse-breeding - the oldest on the earth school of
riding.
Formerly, Turkmen steeds, when hearing the trumpet sounds, could turn around
at full tilt and carry horsemen back, it was one of the crafty war tricks. Coming back to the
history of the English thoroughbred, let’s draw attention to its preaching aspect, accentuated by numerous ippologists. They assert that a striking resemblance between the modern Akhalteke and the English thoroughbred substantiates the fact that Englishmen have
reared and improved a steed, created by the Turkmens, but in a narrow hippodrome-prize
direction.
Such inference can be rightfully applied to all other saddle-horse breeds of the
world, which after being ennobled by the blood of the Turkmen argamak, have been developed within recent centuries in the same direction. The aforesaid was especially typical to
Europe, where the civilization had been vanquishing and a horse had been turned not just
into its tool, but into its target - the target of pleasure, entertainment, sporting excitement.
As we know, in those days more doleful lot had befallen on the Akhalteke. Side
by side with its unfortunate nation it fought for existence and survived, being supported
solely by the strength of its blood and a Turkmen’s loyalty. But whatever side of the history
of our racehorse is scrutinized, in every its period it was and remained the first, being at
the head of all cultural horse-breeding of the world, of the whole world equestrianism. Not
only Absent is meant. In the middle of the XX century, Arab set up a world record by surmounting an obstacle 2 metres 12 centimetres high, and the world record in the long jump
(8 metres 78 centimetres) was established by the Akhalteke Perepel. High achievements
were manifested by the Akhaltekes Pekteli, Gheren and Magara in show jumping, and by
Propeller - in the triathlon.
In 1935 Ashkhabad-Moscow horse passage thirty horsemen had covered 4300
kilometres during 84 days, thereat, the length of daily passages reached up to120 kilometres - a record distance. A good Akhalteke covers a kilometre in average within a minute odd
- this result is matchless either.
Jockeys narrate that during the races the most difficult thing is to remain sitting
on the horseback at the start, some of them compare the Akhalteke’s start with a catapult
in the aircraft.
At the same time riders-sportsmen emphasize that the Akhalteke has spacious
productive movements: a resilient pace, a free trot, and a mighty gallop. It is extremely responsive to the means of handling, possesses a congenial capacity to a caper, and boldly
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our pride and glory
Sergei Filatov astride Absent
clears any obstacles. Finally, they say that it is a well-mannered horse with a highly organized nervous system, with a heightened self-respect, and it can be handled only by an
intelligent rider that is capable to evaluate the horse’s physical state and mood.
Sportsmen affirm that the Akhalteke is really in its element during endurance - a
long-term horse marathon that has been growing into the most popular variety of equestrianism in the world.
International requirements to the endurance participants prohibit the test of horses under six. The Turkmens have a proverb - “true stallion is seven years old”. The soviet
period introduced a practice to return a six-year-old stallion to the stud-farm. Such practice
hampered a complete test of a horse, made impossible the detecting of the Akhalteke’s
congenial instincts to endurance that became apparent when it was older.
And how wonderful is the Akhalteke in a circus show! It brilliantly submits to circus
trainings and brings breathtaking tricks of the national equestrian games - fancy riding, passages, equestrian vaulting, and dance motions, in the arena. People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Dovlet Hojabayev, brothers Amandurdy and Batyr Annayev have brought fame to the
ancient art of horse-riding through the world.
Today Turkmenistan horse-breeding reverts to its sources. It pursues the goal not
only to rear typical and thoroughbred horses, but to strive for making a good sporting horse
of it. Types and distances of tests have been revised to promote the revelation of the most
typical racehorses. New prizes have been instituted in order to conform to the selection
issues and facilitate the exposure of the best part of the thoroughbred Akhalteke steeds at
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Akhalteke —
various distances with regard for the marked breed type. Nowadays, this factor is essential
when defining the pedigree value of a racehorse. In view of the aforesaid an exhibition-exercising is held twice a year. “Altyn Asyr” exhibition-exercising is organized in spring on the
Turkmen Racehorse Day in five nominations. This national holiday instituted at the dawn of
independence is annually celebrated on the last Sunday of April. Another exhibition times to
coincide with the Day of Independence and is held in thirteen nominations.
Since November 1990, the whole selection and pedigree activity has been managed by a State Association “Turkmen atlary”, which ensures a proper state and observance of technologies of the horse nurture in specialized stud farms.
Today, the elite of the Akhalteke breed – 281 racehorses – are reared in the
Presidential stable, a stud farm keeping the elite core of thoroughbred Akhalteke steeds.
The Presidential stable functions not merely as the accumulator of the best heads, but
as a reproducer of the future sires, dam networks, and all breeding lines in the Akhalteke
race are represented there. Yanardag, Piyada, Bitaraplyk, Tebigat, Herekdag, Kervenbashi,
Karfagen are bred in the Presidential stable. At present they represent a top of the selection
work in the breed, for these horses have become successors or forefathers of new lines.
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So, Yanardag, the world breed champion, which portrayal unsurpassable in type and exterior was depicted in the State Emblem of the country, represents the line of the illustrious
Fackir-Palvan - a tall stately stallion, the winner of numerous races and exhibitions-exercisings, born in 1951.
Piyada, holding the title of the model of beauty and gracefulness, belongs to the
line of Peren - a stallion with a golden-dun coat, born in 1955. In the Peren line, Polotni
is the most renowned; it has left an outstanding posterity, accounting for 76 thoroughbred
foals. For such an eminent contribution to the breed development, as well as for the exterior
and speed virtues, a monument was erected to Polotni during its lifetime by the entrance
to the Ashkhabad hippodrome, where it had been winning races for many years and gave
true pleasure to thousands and thousands of admirers of fast, incomparable running of the
“divine argamaks”.
Nowadays, after experiencing tens of years of infinite equestrian rounds during
its existence, the metropolitan hippodrome is being completely reconstructed. The building
of the Ashkhabad circus is also under reconstruction; with its resurgence a famous Turkmen trick riding will be reverted.
Unveiling of Polotli monument
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The pride of the Turkmen horse breeding is a supermodern
Akhalteke horse complex, which is situated in the picturesque valley at the
Kopetdagh foothill and is named after the first President of Turkmenistan
Saparmurat Turkmenbashi who has made an inestimable contribution to
the revival of the Turkmen racehorse. Total area of the complex is 56 hectares whereon a hippodrome with three racecourses and spectators’ stands
for 5 thousand seats and the arena for exhibition-exercising of the best
representatives of the breed are located. A jockey-club is in the individual
building where perfectly equipped training classes and halls are available. A
vast pool was constructed with the automatic water filling-drain. And special
ventilation is installed in six spacious stables where more than 300 steeds
can be kept at the same time.
The complex is furnished with an immunogenetic laboratory,
where a DNA-analysis can be performed under the genomic dactyloscopy
method. In a specialized veterinary laboratory all conditions for racehorses’
curing are foreseen, operating and examining rooms, unique X-ray devices
and ultrasonography are at their “services”.
Like in all other big international hippodromes the sweepstakes
are foreseen there for the most venturesome races’ connoisseurs and a
photo-finish is also envisaged there for an unerring recording of the race
results. After all, one can simply come and relax there, enjoy the beauty of
the Akhal nature - that very oasis of the Turkmen land wherefrom the best in
the world racehorses originated.
And again it has returned here, to the bosom of the home nature,
having proved the wonderful regularity of the Turkmen history: to resume
its normal course, to come back to the sources and springs of the people’s
soul. As an integral part of this history, the Akhalteke has revived with its
nation, and today they conjointly continue a new revival – a revival to new
heights of constructive endeavours and advancement.
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79
Superstrain
of theAkhalteke
breed
This part illustrates the great national heritage: the superstrain of the
Akhalteke breed – 132 Turkmen racehorses. All of them are fostered in the
President’s stable – the horse-breeding
farm of Turkmenistan with the elite kernel
of thoroughbred Akhalteke horses.
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Piyada
Golden-dun horse, born in 1990
Father: 967 Pudock, bay stallion, born in1973. (914 Polotli— 1539 Caplyya).
Peren’s line.
Mother: 2116 Bostan, bay mare, born in 1981 (955 Kemal — 728 Bamy). Gaplan’s line. Peren’s line.
Piyada’s pedigree is composed of racehorses that were distinguished with beauty
and speed by father and mother’s lines. Its grandparent Polotli has been recognized as a
champion among Akhalteke racehorses at the Agricultural exhibition in Moscow. Piyada is
a champion among Akhalteke horses in 1993.
Measurements (2000): 159-160-172-19 cm.
Breeds value: 9,5-9-9-9-8
Class: superstrain (specimen)
Piyada has a high starting speed. It covers quickly short distances. When during
the races a competition of Piyada and falcon was arranged in 1994, it left behind the hunting
bird and finished the first.
At the age of 2-12 it participated in 32 races on Ashkhabad hippodrome and won
prize-winning places 28 times. It was awarded «Beyik Serdaryn Buysanjy» prize 8 times. In
1998, it was recognized as a winner of «Soltanyn Gyuli» show-exercising among Akhalteke
horses. In 1999-2000 — a winner of «Altyn Asyr» show-exercising among Akhalteke horses.
A stud-horse. More than 30 of its scions inherited remarkable breed’s qualities.
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Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
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Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Yanardag
Golden-dun stallion, born in 1991
Farther: 1084 Yalkymly, bay stallion, 1987 (974 Aygytly, dark bay, 1981 — 1879
Yalanchy, bay, 1977). Fackir-Palvan’s line.
Mother: 2158 Dobaraly, chestnut mare, 1981 (918 Senagat — 1760 Jakhan).
Scack’s line. Fackir-Palvan’s line. Such famous racehorses as Soltanguly, Everdy-Teleke,
and Sluchay form Yanardag’s pedigree.
Measurements (2002): 159-163-173-19,5 sm.
Breed’s value: 10-9-10-9
Class: superstrain (specimen)
At the age of 2-9 Yanardag took part in 31 races on Ashkhabad hippodrome winning first prize-places 26 times.
Speed: 500 m — 0.29,9 sec, 1000 m — l min. 07,5 sec, 2000 m. — 2 min.
19sec
It was awarded «Altyn Asyr» prize (2 times), the prize of the State Association
«Turkmen Atlary», «Gelishikli» prize, «Serdaryn buysanjy» prize in important prize-races.
Yanardag has a unique golden-dun colour, characteristic for all Akhalteke horses, a magnificent carriage and a graceful gait. Yanardag’s movements are swift and easy.
When saddled it easily rushes ahead.
It was recognized to be a champion on show-exercising of Akhalteke horses in
Ashkhabad city in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
In 1999, it was recognized to be a breed’s world champion at the World Akhalteke
horses exhibition held in Moscow.
Yanardag’s majestic profile lies in the centre of the State emblem of independent
neutral Turkmenistan as an embodiment of a classic image of the Akhalteke.
90
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
91
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Light dun shot with gold horse, born in 1990
Father: 1082 Edenli, chestnut stallion, born in 1976 (890 Kemerli (Kemkhan)
— 1508 Yyldyrym). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: 2148 Gyulistan, dun mare, 1984 (1009 Serdar — 935 Gyulyaydy).
Scack’s line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Erekdag is related to such stallions as Serdar, Spesivy, fast mare Gyulsary and
other magnificent racehorses by mother’s line.
Measurements: 162-162-178-19,5 cm
Breed’s value: 8-9-8-5-8.
Class: superstrain (specimen)
In 1992-2000 Erekdag participated in 48 races on Ashkhabad hippodrome and
was awarded prize-winning places 24 times.
Speed: 500 m — 30,5 sec, 1000 m — 1 min. 08,2 sec, 1800 m — 2 min. 06,8 sec,
2000 m — 2 min. 20,2 sec.
In 1994, it was proclaimed a champion among Akhalteke horses. In 1996, in the
races dedicated to the Day of Independence it was awarded a honorary prize at a distance
of 800 m. In 1996, it became a possessor of the Challenge Cup of the National equestrianism centre after completing a 120-km run. Erekdag is used as a stud horse and gives a
wonderful posterity that has golden-dun color. Its descendants are distinguished with the
brightest and most characteristic peculiarities inherent in the Akhalteke breed.
Golden-dun stallion, born in 1990
Father: 1014 Telekush-2, bay stallion, born in 1978 (685 Telekush—1546 Gachakchy). Melekush’s line.
Mother: 1717 Alasar, dun mare, born in 1975 (685 Angar—1546 Carlangach).
Scack’s line. Melekush’s line.
Horse’s pedigree originates from illustrious racehorse Melekush, born in 1915,
moreover this pedigree includes such Akhalteke first rate horses as Garlavach, Peren and
Erkus.
Measurements (2002): 160-163-179-19,5 cm
Breed’s value: 7,8-8-8-8-6
Class: superstrain (specimen)
In 1994-2003 this stallion took part in 33 race competitions and won 38 prize-winning places.
Speed: 1400 m — l min. 34,8 sec, 1600 m — 1 min. 47,0 sec, 2000 m — 2 min.
18,2 sec, 2400 m — 2 min. 48,9 sec.
It gained victory many times in important prize races: for Garashsyzlyk prize (first
place), for the prizes of the President of Turkmenistan, «Turkmen Bedevi», «Girish», and
«Gelishikli». It was recognized as a champion of the breed on show exercising among
Akhalteke horses in 1995. The stallion shows good results in breeding and, as a rule, its
posterity is strong and dun in colour.
As this stallion is a unique stud-horse continuing Melekush’s line it is mainly used
in the breeding work.
92
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Erekdag
Tebigat
93
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Black stallion, born in 1992
Father: 989 Garader, black stallion born in 1977 (894 Kerven — 1520 Elsona).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Garaly-2, black mare born in 1985 (914 Polotli — 1558 Kepele). Peren’s
line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (1995): 160-163-170-19,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 9-9-8-8.
Class: superstrain (specimen)
At the age of2-7 Kursant-2 participated in the races on Ashkhabad hippodrome.
It was a prizewinner of major events for prizes of «Boynou», «Bolshoi Ashkhabad» (Derby),
«Myataji» and «Melekush» where it showed a high racing speed.
Speed: 1000 m — l min. 7 sec, 2000 m — 2 min. 17 sec. A champion among
Akhalteke horses in 1998.
Kursant-2’s pedigree includes such renowned fast horses as Keymir, Talant, Angar, Enish, Polotli, Garaly, and Garader.
Dun stallion, born in 1992
Father: 989 Garader, black stallion, born in 1977 (894 Kerven — 1520 Elsona).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: 2334 Kichitay, bay mare, born in 1989 (885 Gammar — 1674 Tayar).
Garlavach’s line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (1995): 158-159-175-19,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8-8.
Class: superstrain (specimen)
94
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Kursant
Garabek
95
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
kli’s line.
Bay stallion, born in 2003
Father: Goar -17, dun stallion, 1986 (944 Govkher – 2005 Menaka-15). Gelishi-
Mother: Tamaly, black mare, 1992 (Yelbek – 2477 Tomasha) Kir-Sakar’s line.
Measurements: 162-160-172-19.5 (7.5-8.0-7.5).
Breed value: 9-3-5.
Class: elite
28 times participated in races. The winner of “Achylysh” (3d place, 2006), “Tangryguly Gaty” (2d place, 2006), “Yapylysh” (1st place, 2006) prizes, the champion of 2007
show. In 2008 won the races for “Russkiy argamak” prize (Pyatigorsk city, the Russian
Federation).
line.
Bay stallion, born in 1993
Father: Gistar-12, bay stallion, born in 1985 (Govkher-4 – Torgai-4), Gelishikli’s
Mother: Dyushyumli, dark bay, born in 1985(1014 Telegush – 1057 Dush), Melekush’s line.
Measurements: 161-164-178-19,5 (7,5-8,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 41 performances, 5-13-13-3: “Everdy-Teleke” – 2nd place, “Geoktepe fortress” - 2nd place, Melekush” – 3rd place, “Seidi” – 1st place, “Absent” - 1st place,
President’s prize – 3rd place, “Bolshoi Ashkhabad” (Derby) – 2nd place, the Challenge Cup
of State Association “Turkmen atlary” – 2nd place, “Elita” - – 2nd place.
Class: superstrain
96
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gokhan
Gadyr
97
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay stallion, born in 1994
Father: Gadymy, dun stallion, born in 1988 (945 Gerden — 1855 Sugun). Gaplan’s line.
Mother: Olympiada, dark bay mare, born in 1988 (1027 Melekush — 1829
Oyunchy). Ak-Beleck’s line. Gaplan’s line.
Measurements (1997): 159-160-170-19 cm.
Breed’s value: 8,5–8–8–5,5–8.
Class: superstrain
Gerdenli comes from the world-known fast Akhlteke horses Gaplan, Enish, Kerven. It shows high speed in the races on the hippodrome.
Black stallion, born in 1995
Father: Keymir 2, black stallion, born in 1987 (894 Kerven — 1520 Elsona). KirSackar’s line.
Mother: 2164 Vagyz, bay mare, born in 1983 (942 Alvan — 1444 Velayat). EverdyTeleke’s line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (2003): 156-156-180-19,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
Vatan participates successfully in equestrianism.
98
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gerdenli
Vatan
99
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
line.
Black stallion, born in 1995
Father: 990 Garaman, black stallion, (895 Kermek— 1689 Fialka). Posman’s
Mother: 2296 Etilmez (885 Gammar— 1961 Elzada). Garlavach’s line. Posman’s
Pedigree is presented with such celebrated Akhalteke horses as Beck-Nazar-Dor
and Posman.
Measurements (1997): 155-156-168-18,5 cm
Breed’s value: 8-7,5-8-8
Class: superstrain (specimen)
In 1997-2002 Garaman took part in 28 races and won prize-places 24 times.
Speed: 500 m — 0.31,3 sec, 1000 m — l min. 08,7 sec, 1200 m — l min.20,5 sec,
1600 m — l min.50.6 sec, 1800 m — 2 min. 07,7 sec, 2000 m — 2 min.l9,2 sec.
line.
Bay stallion, born in 1995
Father: Gadyrly, black stallion, born in 1985 (981 Garazat— 1439 Atlas). Gaplan’s
Mother: Edigen, bay mare, born in 1990 (1109 Edenli — 2295 Etgir). Kir-Sackar’s
line. Gaplan’s line.
Measurements: 157-159-175-19,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8.
Class: superstrain (specimen)
In 1997-1999, when participating in 20 dressages, it was awarded «Toporbay»,
«Melekush», «Great Akhal» prizes. It is descended from the adornment of the breed - Gaplan, Gachakchy, Angar, Garlangach and Atlas . It is a stud horse in the future.
100
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Garaman-2
Edigayya
101
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Black stallion, born in 1997
Father: Erezgala, bay stallion, born in 1990 (1082 Edenli —2233 Mydar). KirSackar’s line.
Mother: Ajaip, dark bay mare, born in 1989 (1077 Melekush — 2134 Armanly).
Ak-Beleck’s line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Gala’s pedigree includes such world famous Akhalteke horses as Kir-Sackar,
Ak-Beleck, Ovlack-Sackar. Gala’s relative - wonderful Melekush was gifted to the Queen
of Great Britain Elizabeth II in 1956. Grey-bay horse Maksat was presented to the Prime
Minister of Great Britain John Major. Both racehorses, each in its time, staggered eminent
British stud farm owners with their beauty and gracefulness.
Measurements (2000): 156-161-175-19
Breed’s value: 8-7-8-8
Class: superstrain (specimen)
In 1999, Gala showed high speed at a 2000-metre distance and took the first
place in competitions for «Khan Aylavy» prize. In 1999-2002 it participated in 12 races
and won 7 times. Since 2003 it has been rated as a stud horse. Grey horse Ak-Beleck by
mother’s line belongs to a rare line.
Bay stallion, born in 1997
Father: Gumry, chestnut stallion, born in 1990 (983 Goklen —2274 Dushumli).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Orkhideya, black mare, born in 1992 (Kelleli black, born in 1981 — Alkata-6 black, born in 1986). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (2002): 158-156-170-18,5 cm
Breed’s value: 8-7,5-8-7
Class: superstrain (specimen)
Oyunchy is a descendant of Derby and Kerven notable for their beauty and
speed. In 2001, it is proclaimed a champion at the beauty contest of Akhalteke horses. It
shows high speed in the races and has been awarded grand prizes. A winner of «Turkmen
Bedevinin Gyuni» and Melekush prizes.
Speed: 1000 m — l min 05,9 sec, 2000 m — 2 min. 17 sec.
Oyunchy descends maternally and paternally from Kir-Sackar but as a stud horse
it isn’t used in Kir-Sackar’s lines.
102
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gala
Oyunchy
103
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dun stallion, born in 1998
Father: Goar-17, dun stallion, born in 1986, (944 Govkher-4 — 2005 Menaca-15).
Gelishikli’s line.
Mother: Gayshak, black mare, born in 1988 (987 Jigitay – 2130 Garakyakil),
Gelishikli’s line.
Measurements: 162-164-182-19,5 (8,0-7,5-8,0).
Breed’s value: 7 performances in the races, 2-1-4.
Class: superstrain
Black stallion, born in 1998
Father: Yantar, black stallion, born in 1991 (989 Garader — 1884 Yashar). KirSackar’s line.
Mother: Pile, bay mare, born in 1993 (1024 Akpan-8 — Perigyul dun 1982). Arab’s
line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (2003): 160–158–176–19,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 9–9–9–8.
Class: superstrain
Yalta is a descendant of illustrious Akhalteke horses Yantar, Garader, Absent,
Peren.
In 2002, it is conferred a title of a winner of «Altyn Asyr» beauty contest of
Akhalteke horses.
104
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Merdana
Yalta
105
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
ar’s line.
Dun stallion, born in 2004
Father: Cosedag, dun stallion, born in 1991 (957 Copel — 2160 Beyni). Kir-SackMother: Gyulmira, bay mare, born in 1991 (Vezipe - Gyulsary). Aksackal’s line.
Measurements: 157-159-178-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-1-1.
Class: superstrain
Bay stallion, born in 2000
Father: Gapbar, bay stallion, born in 1991 (1084 Yakymly — 2195 Gerkezli).
Fackir-Palvan’s line.
Mother: 2182 Garramaz, dun mare, born in 1985 (960 Mukhtar — 1243 Garry).
Arab’s line.
Measurements (2003): 161-159-180-19,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 9-9-9-8.5
Class: superstrain
106
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Kopetdag
Kipchak
107
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
Dun stallion, born in 2000
Father: Keymirkor, dun stallion, born in 1991 (Gandym — Pasyl), Yel’s line
Mother: Sapaly, bay mare, born in 1986 (Dorsekel — Selbiniyaz). Garlavach’s
Measurements: 155-156-173-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 8 performances, 3-2-3: the 2nd place for the “Keymirkor” prize
Class: superstrain
Light dun foal, born in 2001
Father: Janaly, sorrel stallion (931 Phosphor – 1948 Janym), Dor-Bayram’s line
Mother: Yelsaray, bay mare, 1996 (Goar 17 - Yenish). Gelishikli’s line. DorBayram’s line.
Measurements (2003): 150-148-160-18 cm.
Breed value: 8-8-8-8.
Class: elite
108
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Kopetdag
Asmanbek
109
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay foal, born in 2003
Father: Gozhagurt, bay stallion, born in 1994 (1052 Gubalak — 2306 Yylgyn).
Gelishikli’s line.
Mother: Dayanch, dark dun amre, born in 1993 (Vezipe — Dorjeren). Aksackal’s
line. Gelishikli’s line.
Measurements : 158–160–175–18,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 7,5–7,5–7,5
Class: superstrain
al’s line.
Dun mare, born in 1993
Father: Vezipe, dark dun, born in 1993 (866 Vatanchi — 1939 Gyamik). Aksack-
Mother: Dorjeren, bay mare, born in 1988 (945 Gerden, bay — 1768 Dorsanjar).
Gaplan’s line. Aksackal’s line.
Measurements (1996): 156-155-172-18,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8–7,5–8–7,5.
Class: superstrain
Dayanch has dark dun stallion Gushvan and black filly Dolonay that are trained
and appear on the hippodrome (their father is Gapbar).
110
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Galkynysh
Dayanch
111
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay mare, born in 1993
Father: 983 Goklen, bay stallion, born in 1979 (876 Derby-2 — 1471 Gyulsary).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Jovkher-25, black mare, born in 1986 (945 Gerden— 1481Damja). Gaplan’s line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (1996): 156-159-166-19 cm.
Breed’s value: 7,5-8-7,5-8.
Class: superstrain
Three Jennete’s stallions — Jan, Perman and Jemal successfully appear on the
hippodrome.
Dun mare, born in 1993
Father: 1012 Telekush-2, bay stallion, born in 1978 (818 Telekush — 1243
Gachakchi). Melekush’s line.
Mother: 1848 Servi, dun mare, born in 1976 (917 Sector — 1559 Kepderi).
Peren’s line.
Measurements (1997): 158-159-175-19,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8,5-8,5-8,5-8–8.
Class: superstrain
Four Sabyrly’s nurslings — Gandym, Sarykush, Keymirkyor and Keremli take
part in the races on the hippodrome.
112
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Jennet
Sabyrly
113
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
Dun mare, born in 1998
Father: Piyada, dun stallion, born in 1990 (967 Pudock —2183 Bostan). Peren’s
Mother: Gatyakar, black mare, born in 1988 (990 Azdepel — 1915 Garagyr).
Everdy-Teleke’s line. Peren’s line.
Measurements (2001): 157-159-168-18,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8,5–9,0–8,5–8,5.
Class: superstrain.
It has begun mating.
Dun mare, born in 1999
Father: Elgush, bay stallion, born in 1990 (1008 Scack — 2275 Eckebent).
Scack’s line.
Mother: Shemal, silver-dun mare, born in 1989 (987 Jigitay — 2504 Shovly).
Gelishikli’s line. Scack’s line.
Measurements (2002): 156-156-168-18,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
This mare is destined for breeding.
114
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gyulbaydak
Bagtly
115
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay mare, born in 1999
Father: Gapbar, bay stallion, born in 1991 (1084 Yakymli — 2195 Gerkezli). Fackir-Palvan’s line.
Mother: Atgulak, bay mare, born in 1987 (945 Gerden— 1459 Alkeyik). Gaplan’s
line. Fackir-Palvan’s line.
Measurements (2002): 158-158-170-19 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
Kenar participates in the races on Ashkhabad hippodrome and shows high results. In 2001, it became a winner of show-exercising of young Akhalteke horses.
Bay mare, born in 1999
Father: Garadashli-18, black stallion, born in 1986 (989 Garader — 2049 Saryyag). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Myakhen, grey mare, born in 1993 (942 Alvan —2387 Mengli, dun, 1983).
Everdy-Teleke’s line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (2002): 157-158-165-18.5 cm.
Breed’s value: 7,5–7,5–8–7,5
Class: superstrain
116
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Kenar
Maysa
117
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
Dun mare, born in 1999
Father: Akhal-2, dun stallion, born in 1992 (1084 Pick — 2101 Aygozel-2). Peren’s
Mother: Pasyl-2, bay mare, born in 1990 (980 Garagunon — 2037 Pugta). Gaplan’s line.
Measurements (2001): 156-157-160-17,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
It is destined for breeding.
Black mare, born in 2000
Father: Keymir-2, black stallion, born in 1987 (894 Kerven— 1520 Elsona). KirSackar’s line
Mother: Dereck, dun mare, born in 1989 (940 Azdepel — 1955 Dyunyagush).
Everdy-Teleke’s line.
Measurements : 152–156–160–17,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8–7,5–8–7,5
Class: superstrain
118
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Perizat
Dabaraly
119
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dun filly, born in 2000
Father: Goshasakar, dun stallion, 1985 (885 Gammar – 1746 Gyulperi), Garlavach’s line
Mother: Maykhirli, bay mare, 1993 (Kerem -2, silver-dun, 1984 -2485 Povrize).
Garlavach’s line. Garlavach’s line
Measurements (2002): 158-158-170-18.5 cm.
Breed value: 8-8-8-7.5.
Class: elite
Trained for racing
Dun filly, born in 2000
Father: Akyldar, chestnut stallion, born in 1993 (1027 Altiyap — 1243 Gyulkhana).
Scack’s line.
Mother: Sechiler, dun mare, born in 1994 (1010 Sovkhoz-2 — Servi, dun mare,
1976). Yel’s line. Scack’s line.
Measurements: 154-155-165-18 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
It is trained on the hippodrome.
120
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Myahirli 2
Sechekli
121
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Light dun filly, born in 2001
Father: Gojagurt, bay stallion, born in 1994 (1052 Gubalack — 2306 Yylgyn).
Gelishikli’s line.
Mother: Tumar, dun mare, born in 1989 (987 Jigitai — 2073 Torly). Gelishikli’s
line. Gelishikli’s line.
Measurements (2003): 155-154-162-18 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
It is trained on the hippodrome.
Black filly, born in 2001
Father: Gapbar, bay stallion, born in 1991 (1084 Yalkymly— 2195 Gerkezli).
Fackir-Palvan’s line.
Mother: Dayanch, dun mare, born in 1993 (Vezipe, dark dun, born in 1985 — Dorjern, bay, born in 1988). Aksackal’s line.
Measurements (2003): 153-153-162-18 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
It is begun training on the hippodrome.
122
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gaytma
Dolanay
123
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dun filly, born in 2001
Father: Piyada, dun stallion, born in 1990 (967 Pudock — Bostan). Peren’s line.
Mother: Kuvvatly, bay mare, born in 1995 (Vezipe, dark dun, 1995 — Covser-3, bay, 1987).
Aksackal’s line. Peren’s line.
Measurements (2001): 154-153-163-17,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
Its training has begun on the hippodrome.
Bay filly, born in 2001
Father: Goar -17, dun stallion, born in 1986 (944 Govkher -4 — 2005 Menaca15). Gelishikli’s line.
Mother: Kesearckach, bay mare, born in 1987 (957 Copel — 1977 Kekene). KirSackar’s line. Gelishikli’s line.
Measurements (2003): 155–156–166–18,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8,5-8,5-8.
Class: superstrain
It is begun training on the hippodrome.
124
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Covumdash
Conegyuzer
125
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dark bay filly, born in 2001
Father: Ak-Beleck, bay stallion, born in 1988 (942 Alvan —1700 Chyolmaya).
Everdy-Teleke’s line.
Mother: Olympia, dark bay mare, born in 1988 (1027 Melekush — 1829 Oyunchy).
Ak-Beleck’s line. Evedy-Teleke’s line.
Measurements (2003): 154-154-162-18 cm.
Breed’s value: 8,5–8,5–8
Class: superstrain
It is begun training on the hippodrome.
Bay mare, born in 2004
Father: Garadem, black stallion, 1999 (989 Garader – Tapylar). Kir-Sakar’s line.
Mother: Altynay, light bay mare, 1997 (Goar-17 – Aylar) Gelishikli’s line.
Measurements: 159-159-174-19 (7.5-7.5-7.5).
Breed value: 9-3-3-1.
Class: elite
15 times participated in races. The winner of “Melechep” (4th place, 2006), “Pel”
(1st place, 2006), “Oks” (1st place, 2007), “Big Ashgabat” (1st place, 2007), “Turkmenistan
President’s”(1st place, 2007), “Bedev” (1st place, 2008) prizes. In 2008 won 3d place in the
races for “Russkiy argamak” prize (Pyatigorsk city, the Russian Federation).
126
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Ovadan
Maya 2
127
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Light dun filly, born in 2002
Father: Erekdag, light dun stallion, born in 1990 (1082 Edenli - 2148 Gyulistan).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Gaytar, bay mare, born in 1993 (989 Garader — Mamagozel). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements: 155-153-168-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 8 performances, 2-1-3-2: 1st place for “Synat” prize, 1st place for
“Firuza” prize, 2nd place for “Melecher” prize, 4th place for “Toparbai” prize, 4th place for
“Pel” prize.
Class: superstrain
ar’s line.
Bay filly, born in 2003
Father: Edermen, chestnut stallion, born in 1994 (1082 Edinli - Megra), Kir-Sack-
Mother: Sabyrly, dun mare, born in 1993 (1012 Telegush-2 — 1848 Servi). Melekush’s line.
Measurements: 160-159-170-18 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 3 performances, 0-0-2
Class: superstrain
128
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gyulnar
Sulgun
129
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
ar’s line.
Grey filly, born in 2003
Father: Garashsyz, grey stallion, born in 1993 (983 Goklen—Sailav). Kir-Sackar’s
Mother: Mahatma, bay mare, born in 1997 (Meget-Arkalyk). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements: 156-155-171-19 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 5 performances, 0-1-4.
Class: superstrain
Dun stallion, born in 2003
Father: Cosedag, dun stallion, born in 1991 (957 Copel — 2160 Beyni). Kir-Sack-
Mother: Covserli, bay mare, born in 1987 (1015 Toretai – 1990 Kyakil), Yel’s line
Measurements: 156-155-168-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 9 performances, 2-2-5, it took the 3rd place for the “Oks” prize and
the 4th place for the “Garaly” prize.
Class: superstrain
130
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gyulala
Keramat
131
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay filly, born in 2004
Father: Erekdag, light dun stallion, born in 1990 (1082 Edenli - 2148 Gyulistan).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Aydere, bay mare, born in 1994 (Ulcker – Savchy), Scack’s line.
Measurements: 156-155-170-18,5 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 8 performances, 3-1-4.
Class: superstrain
Grey filly, born in 2004
Father: Gyrgygush, grey stallion, born in 1990 (989 Garader - 1920 Gezerli), KirSackar’s line.
Mother: Myakhirli, chestnut mare, born in 1998 (Gadyr — Makhym). Gaplan’s
line.
Measurements: 153-155-159-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 5 performances, 1-1-3.
Class: superstrain
132
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Ayjemal
Garaaltyn
133
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay stallion, born in 2000
Father: Goar-17, dun stallion, born in 1986, (944 Govkher-4 — 2005 Menaca-15),
Gelishikli’s line.
Mother: Kesearkach, bay mare, born in 1987 (957 Copel — 1977 Kekene), KirSackar’s line. Scack’s line.
Measurements: 161-161-180-19 (0,0-0,0-0,0).
Breed’s value: 44 performances, 27-7-3-2.
In 2002: “Sinag” prize - 4th place; “Peren” prize - 4th place; “Everdy-Teleke” prize
- 4th place.
In 2003: “Baydak” - 4th place, “Novruz” - 2nd place, “Achylysh” opening of the
race season - 1st place, “Absent” - 1st place, “Bolshoy Ashkhabad” (Derbi) - 1st place, the
prize of the President of Turkmenistan on the Day of Independence –1st place, the Challenge Cup of State Association “Turkmen atlary” –1st place.
In 2004: “Turkmen bedevi” - 3rd place, “Elita” - 1st place, “Bolshoy Akhal” – 2nd
place.
In 2005: “Piyada” – 1st place, “Bolshoy Akhal” – 1st place, “Hoshlashik” – 1st
place.
In 2007: “Turkmen bedevi” - 1st place, “Keymirkyor” - 2nd place.
Class: superstrain
Bay stallion, born in 2000
Father: Goar-17, dun stallion, born in 1986, (944 Govkher-4 — 2005 Menaca-15),
Gelishikli’s line.
Mother: Gaytar, bay mare, born in 1993 (989 Garader — Mamagozel), Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements: 160-158-180-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 50 performances, 12-14-8.
In 2005: “Hoshlashik” - 2nd place, “Garader” - 1st place, “Keymirkyor” - 2nd place,
“Bolshoy Akhal” - 2nd place, “Gelishikli” - 1st place, “Gyorogly” - 2nd place, “Turkmen bedevi” – 3rd place.
In 2007: “Garader” - 1st place, “Bolshoy Akhal” - 3rd place.
Class: superstrain
134
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gulistan
Gyunbatar
135
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dun stallion, born in 2000
Father: Keymir-2, black stallion, born in 1987 (894 Kerven— 1520 Elsona), KirSackar’s line
Mother: Sabyrly, dun mare, born in 1993 (1012 Telegush-2 — 1848 Servi), Melekush’s line.
Measurements: 156-158-173-19 (0,0-0,0-0,0).
Breed’s value: 27 performances, 7-5-1-2.
In 2004: the 4th place for the “Keymirkyor” prize
In 2005: the 4th place for the “Gyorogly” prize
Class: superstrain
Dun stallion, born in 2001
Father: Keymir-2, black stallion, born in 1987 (894 Kerven— 1520 Elsona), KirSackar’s line.
Mother: Sabyrly, dun mare, born in 1993 (1012 Telekush-2 - 1848 Servi), Melekush’s line.
Measurements: 159-157-178-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 11 performances, 6-3-2.
“Absent” - 1st place, “Bolshoy Ashkhabad” (Derbi) - 2nd place, “Peren” - 3rd
place.
Class: superstrain
136
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Keymirkyor
Keremli
137
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dun stallion, born in 2002
Father: Goar-17, dun stallion, born in 1986, (944 Govkher-4 — 2005 Menaca-15).
Gelishikli’s line.
Mother: Mahatma, bay mare, born in 1997 (Meget-Arkalyk). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements: 161-160-173-19,5 (8,0-7,5-8,0).
Breed’s value: 8 performances, 2-3-3: in 2005, it took the third place in the races
for the “Absent” prize, the 2nd place for the “Bolshoi Ashkhabad” (Derby) prize, the 2nd
place for the prize of the President of Turkmenistan.
Class: superstrain
line.
line.
Bay stallion, born in 2002
Father: Bitaraplyk, black stallion, born in 1995 (Galkan – 2192 Yylgyn), Gaplan’s
Mother: Tumar, dun mare, born in 1989 (987 Jigitay — 2073 Torly). Gelishikli’s
Measurements: 158-159-176-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 4 performances, 1-0-3.
Class: superstrain
138
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gorogly
Batyr
139
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
na’s line.
Bay stallion, born in 2003
Father: Erbent, dark bay, born in 1991 (1077 Serasger – 2179 Elken), Saparkha-
Mother: Tumar, dun mare, born in 1989 (987 Jigitay — 2073 Torly). Gelishikli’s
line. Gelishikli’s line.
Measurements: 157-158-163-18 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-1-1.
Class: superstrain
Dun stallion, born in 2003
Father: Caynar, dun stallion, born in 1982 (885 Gambar – 1746 Gyulperi), Garlavach’s line.
Mother: Menekli, black mare, born in 1997 (Garadashly - Maral), Kir-Sackar’s
line.
Measurements: 156-158-166-18,5 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 6 performances in the races, 1-2-3.
Class: superstrain
140
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Ellidag
Kyardesh
141
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dun stallion, born in 2004
Father: Garaman-2, black stallion, born in 1995 ( 990 Garaman - 2296 Etilmez).
Posman’s line.
Mother: Gerek, bay mare, born in 1999 (Garadashly-Gatyakar), Kir-Sackar’s
line.
Measurements: 156-155-160-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 6 performances, 0-1-5.
Class: superstrain
Bay stallion, born in 2004
Father: Erekdag, light dun stallion, born in 1990 (1082 Edenli - 2148 Gyulistan).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Yelin-2, dun mare, born in 1987 (955 Kemal – 1964 Etgir). Gaplan’s
line.
Measurements: 158-158-175-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 8 performances, 1-3-4.
Class: superstrain
142
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Garatai
Erezgala
143
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
Black stallion, born in 2004
Father: Akhal-2, black stallion, born in 1999 (Akylly — Gyulbakhar). Gelishikli’s
Mother: Cheshme, born in 1996 (Gandikap — Chemen). Garlavach’s line.
Measurements: 157-156-173-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 12 performances, 2-2-6-2: the 4th place for the “Synag” prize, the
4th place for the “Tangryguly Gaty” priz.
Class: superstrain
line.
line.
Dun stallion, born in 2004
Отец: Tamaly, bay stallion, born in 1993 (1014 Telegush-2 - Dunya), Melekush’s
Mother: Gyulperi, dun mare, born in 1992 (92 Garash - Garagush), Kir-Sackar’s
Measurements: 158-158-167-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: ?
Class: superstrain
144
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Ashkhabad
Galkynysh
145
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dun filly, born in 2005
Father: Erekdag, light dun stallion, born in 1990 (1082 Edenli - 2148 Gyulistan).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Pile, bay mare, born in 1993 (1024 Akpan-8 — Perigyul). Arab’s line.
Measurements: 156-154-170-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-0-2.
Class: superstrain
Dun stallion, born in 2005
Father: Gala, black stallion, born in 1997 (Erezgala – Ajaip). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Perizat, dun mare, born in 1990 (Akhal-2 - Pasyl-2), Peren’s line.
Measurements: 158-156-171-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 5 performances, 0-2-3.
Class: superstrain
146
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Pyakize
Gaymele
147
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line
line.
line.
Grey stallion, born in 2005
Father: Piyada, dun steed, born in 1990 (967 Pudock - 2116 Bostan), Peren’s
Mother: Maysa, bay mare, born in 1999 (Garadashli-18 – Myakhen), Kir-Sackar’s
Measurements: 157-156-173-18,5 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 4 performances, 0-1-3.
Class: superstrain
Bay stallion, born in 2005
Father: Oyunchy, bay stallion, born in 1997 ( Gumry - Orkhideya). Kir-Sackar’s
Mother:Yelin-2, dun mare, born in 1987 (955 Kemal – 1964 Etgir). Gaplan’s line.
Measurements: 162-160-178-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances in the races, 1-0-1.
Class: superstrain
148
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Pena
Osmanly
149
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
Black filly, born in 2005
Father: Merdana, dun stallion, born in 1998 (Goar-17 — Gayshak). Gelishikli’s
Mother: Goryukli, black mare, born in 2001 (Akbelek — Gatyacar). EverdyTeleke’s line.
Measurements: 152-151-166-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 6 performances, 2-1-2.
Class: superstrain
line
Black filly, born in 2005
Father: Garadil, black horse, 1993 (981 Garader – 2132 Garasar), Gyrsakar’s
Mother: Jakhan, dun mare, 2001 (Pyyada-Jennet), Peren’s line.
Measurements: 156-155-170-18.5 (7.5-7.0-7.5)
Breed value: 2 races, 0-1-1.
Class: elite
150
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Garagyz
Jahangyul
151
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Black stallion, born in 2005
Father: Keymir 2, black stallion, born in 1987 (894 Kerven — 1520 Elsona). KirSackar’s line.
Mother: Gyulbaidak, dun mare, born in 1998 (Piyada-Gatyacar), Peren’s line.
Measurements : 156-154-168-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 4 performances, 0-1-3.
Class: superstrain
Light dun filly, born in 2005
Father: Shyagirt, grey stallion (942 Alvan — 2288 Sheker). Everdy-Teleke’s line.
Mother: Kuvvatly, bay mare, born in 1995 (Vezipe – Covser-3). Aksackal’s line.
Measurements: 156-155-172-18,5 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 1-0-1.
Class: superstrain
152
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Kemerli
Keyik
153
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
line.
Grey stallion, born in 2005
Father: Yadygar, grey stallion, born in 1999 (1086 Yalta-2 – Mera), Garlavach’s
Mother: Akmaya, chestnut mare, born in 1998 (17 Goar –Aydere),Gelishikli’s
Measurements: 159-159-160-18,5 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 5 performances. 0-1-4.
Class: superstrain
Dun stallion, born in 2005
Father: Keymir-2, black stallion, born in 1987 (894 Kerven— 1520 Elsona). KirSackar’s line.
Mother: Garauzyum, black mare, born in 1990 (1068 Muskat - 2124 Gamysh),
Saparkhana’s line.
Measurements: 151-148-162-19 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-0-2
154
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Galkynar
Denizkhan
155
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Black stallion, born in 2006
Father: Keymir-2, black stallion, born in 1987 (894 Kerven — 1520 Elsona). KirSackar’s line.
Mother: Mahatma, bay mare, born in 1997 (Meget-Arkalyk). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements: 156-157-167-18 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 1 performance in the races, 0-0-1.
Class: superstrain
ar’s line.
Dark dun filly, born in 2006
Father: Gala, black stallion, born in 1997 (Erezgala – Ajaip), Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Gaytar, bay mare, born in 1993 (989 Garader — Mamagozel), Kir-SackMeasurements: 155-156-172-18 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-0-2.
Class: superstrain
156
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Garader
Galpakly
157
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay stallion, born in 2006
Father: Garadashayack, black stallion, born in 1990 (972 Shakhy — 2214 Gyulendam). Yel’s line.
Mother: Perizat, dun mare, born in 1999 (Akhal-2 - Pasyl-2), Peren’s line.
Measurements: 155-157-165-18,5 (7,5-8,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-0-1.
Class: superstrain
Dun filly, born in 2006
Father: Garadashayack, black stallion, born in 1990 (972 Shakhy — 2214 Gyulendam), Yel’s line.
Mother: Sabyrly, dun mare, born in 1993 (1014 Telekush - 1848 Servi), Melekush’s
line.
Measurements: 155-156-170-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 3 performances, 0-1-2.
Class: superstrain
158
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gerkez
Suray
159
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
line.
ar’s line.
Dun stallion, born in 2006
Father: Oyunchy, bay stallion, born in 1997 (Gumry - Orkhideya). Kir-Sackar’s
Mother: Bagtly, dun mare, born in 1999 (Elgush - Shemal). Scack’s line.
Measurements: 156-154-174-18,5 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-0-2.
Class: superstrain
Black filly, born in 2006
Father: Gurply, grey stallion, born in 1993 (983 Goklen- Gupbaly). Kir-Sackar’s
Mother: Sarygyul, bay mare, born in 1999 (Garadashly-18 – Sabyrly). Kir-SackMeasurements : 155-154-162-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances in the races, 0-0-1.
Class: superstrain
160
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Begench
Saya
161
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay stallion, born in 2006
Father: Gaiduvsyz, dark bay stallion, born in 1990 (989 Garader – 1917 Garatay),
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Gyuleken, chestnut mare, born in 1998 (Erekdag - Gyuley), Kir-Sackar’s
line.
Measurements: 157-158-167-18,5 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-0-1
Class: superstrain
Black stallion, born in 2006
Father: Shakhyjuvan, black stallion, born in 2000 (Garadashayack – Alsackar).
Mother: Guncha, dun mare, born in 2000 (Perhat-Gunon). Peren’s line.
Measurements: 156-155-163-19 (7,5-7,5-7,0).
Breed’s value: 3 performances, 0-0-0.
Class: superstrain
162
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gozgan
Shakhandaz
163
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay filly, born in 2006
Father: Gayduvsyz, dark bay horse, 1990 (989 Garader – 1917 Garatay), Gyrsakar’s line
Mother: Myakhek, grey mare, 1993 (942 Alvan-2387 Mengli), Eyeberdy Teleke’s
line.
Measurements: 157-155-160-18.5 (7.0-7.5-7.5)
Breed value: 2 races, 0-0-0.
Class: elite
Black stallion, born in 2006
Father: Erekdag, light dun shot with gold horse, born in 1990 (1082 Edenli - 2148
Gyulistan). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Gyulzada, bay filly, born in 2000 (Gelshikli - Orchideya). Kir-Sackar’s
line.
Measurements : 155-156-168-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 1 performance in the races, 0-0-1.
Class: superstrain
164
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Makhym
Erkin
165
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
ar’s line.
Light dun filly, born in 2006
Father: Oyunchy, bay stallion, born in 1997 (Gumry - Orkhideya), Kir-Sackar’s
Mother: Gaytma, dun mare, born in 2001 (Gojagurt - Tumar), Gelishikli’s line.
Measurements: 156-155-170-18,5 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-1-1.
Class: superstrain
Bay filly, born in 2006
Father: Garadem, black stallion, born in 1999 (989 Garader — Tapylar), Kir-SackMother: Jakhan, dun mare, born in 2001 (Piyada – Jennet), Peren’s line.
Measurements: 155-156-160-18 (7,0-7,5-7,0).
Breed’s value: 1 performance, 0-0-1.
Class: superstrain
166
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Lachin
Guldjahan
167
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay filly, born in 2006
Father: Keymir-2, black stallion, born in 1987 (894 Kerven— 1520 Elsona), KirSackar’s line
Mother: Aydere, bay mare, born in 1994 (Ulcker – Savchy), Scack’s line.
Measurements: 155-155-160-18 (7,0-7,5-7,0).
Breed’s value: 1 performance, 0-0-1.
Class: superstrain
Bay stallion, born in 2006
Father: Tebigat, dun stallion, born in 1990 (1014 Telegush-2 - 1717 Alasar), Melekush’s line.
Mother: Myakhirli-2, dun mare, born in 2000 (Goshasackar - Myakhirli). Garlavach’s line.
Measurements: 155-157-168-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-0-2.
Class: superstrain
168
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Aynur
Tagsyr
169
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
Dun stallion, born in 2006
Father: Piyada, dun stallion, born in 1990 (967 Pudock — 2183 Bostan), Peren’s
Mother: Kenar, bay mare, born in 1999 (Gapbar - Atgulak), Fackir-Palvan’s line.
Measurements: 156-157-175-18,5 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 3 performances, 0-1-2.
In 2008: a gold star of Turkestan and the champion among Akhalteke horses
(Tashkent city)
Class: superstrain
Dun filly, born in 2006
Father: Erekdag, light dun stallion, born in 1990 (1082 Edenli - 2148 Gyulistan),
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Gerek, bay mare, born in 1999 (Garadashly-Gatyakar), Kir-Sackar’s
line.
Measurements: 153-156-161-18,5 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 1 performance, 0-0-0.
Class: superstrain
170
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Polotly
Gerekgyul
171
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay stallion, born in 2006
Father: Garadashayack, black stallion, born in 1990 (972 Shakhy — 2214 Gyulendam). Yel’s line.
Mother: Yelin-2, dun mare, born in 1987 (955 Kemal – 1964 Etgir). Gaplan’s
line.
Measurements: 153-156-162-18 (7,0-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 1 performance, 0-0-0.
Class: superstrain
Bay filly, born in 2006
Father: Gala, black stallion, born in 1997 (Erezgala – Ajaip), Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Sechekli, dun mare, born in 2000 (Akyldar - Sechiler), Scack’s line.
Measurements: 156-155-172-18 (7,5-7,5-7,0).
Breed’s value: 1 performance, 0-0-1.
Class: superstrain
172
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Garayel
Selbi
173
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
line.
Chestnut filly, born in 2006
Father: Piyada, dun stallion, born in 1990 (967 Pudock — 2183 Bostan), Peren’s
Mother: Garash, black mare, born in 1999 (Garadashly – Gyuley), Kir-Sackar’s
Measurements: 155-157-168-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-1-1.
Class: superstrain
Dark dun filly, born in 2006
Father: Garadashayack, black stallion, born in 1990 (972 Shakhy — 2214 Gyulendam), Yel’s line.
Mother: Covumdash, light dun mare, born in 2001 (Piyada - Kuvvatly), Peren’s
line.
Measurements: 153-155-160-18 (7,0-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 1 performance, 0-0-0.
Class: superstrain
174
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gyulparcha
Kaknus
175
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
line.
line.
Dun filly, born in 2006
Father: Yalta, black stallion, born in 1998 (Yantar - Pile), Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Dolanay, black mare, born in 2001 (Gapbar - Dayanch), Fackir-Palvan’s
Measurements: 155-156-168-18 (7,5-7,5-7,0).
Breed’s value: 3 performances, 0-1-2.
Class: superstrain
Bay stallion, born in 2006
Father: Gurply, grey stallion, born in 1993 (983 Goklen - Gupbaly). Kir-Sackar’s
Mother: Gorkli, black mare, born in 2001 (Ak-Beleck - Gatyacar). Everdy-Teleke’s
Measurements: 157-156-163-18,5 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 1 performance, 0-0-1.
Class: superstrain
176
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dunya
Gudrat
177
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Black filly, born in 2006
Father: Garadashayack, black stallion, born in 1990 (972 Shakhy — 2214 Gyulendam), Yel’s line.
Father: Dabaraly, black mare, born in 2000 (Keymir-2 - Dereck), Kir-Sackar’s
line.
Measurements: 155-155-161-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 1 performance, 0-0-0.
Class: superstrain
Black stallion, born in 1991
Father: 989 Garader, black stallion, born in 1977 (894 Kerven — 1520 Elsona).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: 1917 Garatay, dun mare, born in 1980 (885 Gambar— 1457 Garachay).
Garlavach’s line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (1995): 163-162-173-20 cm.
Breed’s value: 9-9-8,5-8.
Class: superstrain
Golchynar scores a success in equestrianism. It took a prize-winning place at a
120-kilometre distance. It is supposed to be used as a stud horse in the future.
178
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dunyagozel
Golchynar
179
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Chestnut stallion, born in 1993
Father: 983 Goklen (876 Derby — 1417 Gulsary). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Goshular, grey mare, born in 1998 (987 Jigitay — 1923 Govusbent).
Gelishikli’s line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (1997): 164-162-175-19,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-9-8,5-8.
Class: superstrain
In 1995-2000 Gamyshly showed high results in the races. It won 17 prize-winning places in 42 races. A possessor of prizes of «Synag», «Everdy-Teleke», «Bolshoi
Ashkhabad» and «Gelishikli».
Speed: 1000 m — l min.07,6 sec. It is notable for high speed at long distances. In
1997, Gamyshly ranked first in a 160-kilometre marathon race.
Dun stallion, born in 1993
Father: Gerkez, bay stallion, born in 1987 (983 Goklen —2134 Amangul). KirSackar’s line.
Mother: 2234 Mydar, bay mare, born in 1984 (1009 Serdar — 1624 Mysal).
Scack’s line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (1977): 162-164-183-19,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-9-8-8.
Class: superstrain (specimen)
In 1995-2000 this stallion took part in the races on Ashkhabad hippodrome, took
prize-winning places 12 times. It is awarded grand prizes of «Bolshoi Ashkhabad » (Derby),
«Absent», «Everdy-Teleke», «Great Akhal».
Melekush’s father Gerkez was one of the most fast-speed racehorses; in the 90’s
it won numerous grand prizes. It descends from the famous racehorses Serdar and Fagi
by mother’s line.
180
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gamyshly
Melekush
181
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay stallion, born in 1994
Father: Backy, bay stallion, born in 1983 (885 Gammar— 1728 Bamy). Garlavach’s line.
Mother: 2160 Zamana, bay mare, born in 1984 (1009 Serdar— 1766 Dorgyz).
Scack’s line. Garlavach’s line.
Measurements (1997): 165-165-178-20 cm.
Breed’s value: 8,5-9-8,5-8.
Class: superstrain
Buysanch shows excellent results when participating in the races on Ashkhabad
hippodrome. It has good results in showjumping.
Speed: 1000 m — 1 min. 07,2 sec
Black stallion, born in 1994
Father: Yomud stallion.
Mother: Yomud mare.
Measurements: 153-156-168-18,5 (6,5-6,5-6,5).
Breed’s value: Yomud breed stallion.
Class: superstrain
182
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Byori
Shagadam
183
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Black stallion, born in 1995
Father: Akpan-9, black stallion, born in 1986 (869 Ararat-1 — 1800 Keramica).
Arab’s line.
Mother: Aysha, bay mare, born in 1978 (879 Dorseckil — 1177 Alasar). Garlavach’s line. Arab’s line.
Measurements (1999): 158-158-168-19 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
Akylly belongs to the line of illustrious Arab. It comes from Absent, an Olympic
champion, and very swift Garlavach by mother’s line.
In 1997-2000 Akylly participated 40 times on Ashkhabad hippodrome and won
prize-places 18 times. A winner of grand prizes of «Elita», «Synag», «Melekush», «Boynou», «Absent», «Keymirkyor», «Garader», and «Hoshlashyck». In the future it is assigned
a significant part in selection for the Arab’s line continuation.
Black stallion, born in 1995
Father: Komek 2, bay stallion (957 Kopel – 1680 Oda), Kir-Sakar’s line
Mother: Mayya, grey mare, 1998 (940 Azdepel – 2195 Gerkezli) Eyeberdy
Teleke’s line. Kir-Sakar’s line
Measurements (2000): 158-158-160-18.5 cm.
Breed value: 8-8-8-7.
Class: elite (representative)
Kopeler is a stallion born through interbreeding of two old generic Kir-Sakar and
Eyeberdy lines. In his genealogy there are famous fast horses –Kopel, Kerven, mares
–Gyz, Ovadan.
Kopeler is a champion of 2000 beauty show among Akhalteke horses. In 19972002 participated in Ashgabat hippodrome races 24 times, 10 times winning the first place.
In 2000 won the first place in 100 km race.
184
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Akylly
Kyopeler
185
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Chestnut horse, born in 1996
Father: Toychi, chestnut stallion, born in 1987 (1065Maksat bay, 1980 — 1932
Gulruch). Yel’s line.
Mother: Dumanly, black mare, born in 1985 (861 Akhal — 1951 Dorogaya-2).
Yel’s line. Yel’s line.
Measurements (1998): 157-157-165-18,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
Amasha descends from speedy horses Toychi, Akhal, Dorogoy. It participates in
high-speed races and steadily shows high results. A possessor of «Synag», «Peren», «Polotli», «Seydi»,«Elita», and «Keymirkyor» prizes. In 2001, it ranked first at a 120-kilometre
marathon distance. A possessor of the Challenge Cup of «Soltanyii Gyuli».
Black stallion, born in 1995
Father: Garadashly-18, black stallion, born in 1986 (989 Garader — 2049 Saryyag). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Soltan (1013 Surkhan— 1663 Sulgun). Scack’s line. Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (1999): 158-160-175-19,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8,5-8,5-8,5-8.
Class: superstrain
In 1998-2002 Gadam participated in 23 races and gained 8 victories. Its pedigree
includes such illustrious racehorses as Garader, Ikar. It is suppossed to be used as a stud
horse.
186
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Amasha
Gadam
187
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dun stallion, born in 2005
Father: Goar-17, dun stallion, born in 1986, (944 Govkher-4 — 2005 Menaca-15).
Gelishikli’s line.
Mother: Peydaly, bay mare, born in 1990 (1023 Altynyap - 2021 Pasyl), Scack’s
line
Measurements: 156-155-168-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-1-1.
Class: superstrain
Bay stallion, born in 1996
Father: Caspy, dark dun stallion, born in 1990 (1068 Comeck-2 — 2093 Elzada).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: 2166 8th of March (983 Goklen — 1829 Oyunchy). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements (2000): 158-155-170-18,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 7-7-7.
Class: superstrain (specimen)
Kesedag kindred to inner Kir-Sackar’s line, has in its pedigree famous Akhalteke
horses Copel, Gulsary and Kerven. In 1998-2002 it participated in 22 competitions on Ashkhabad hippodrome, and ranked first 5 times.
188
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gerchek
Kesedag
189
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Black stallion, born in 1997
Father: Garadashly 18, black stallion, born in 1986 (989 Garader — 2049 Saryyag). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Dursun, dun mare, born in 1993 (Peycam, bay, born in 1988 — Dyuvme,
dun, born in 1986). Peren’s line.
Measurements (2000): 157–158–168–19 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
Garadashsyz is descended from the high-quality horses such as Garader, DorBayram, Phosphor. At the age of 2-5 it participated in 20 events on Ashkhabad hippodrome
and was awarded prize-winning places5 times. In 2001, it was proclaimed a champion on
«Altyn Asyr» show-exercising of Akhalteke horses. Nowadays, it participates in exercising
and will be used as a stud horse in the future.
Grey stallion, born in 1997
Father: Gajar, grey stallion, 1990 (942 Alvan-Ajap, dark bay, 1981), Eyeberdy
Teleke’s line.
Mother: Novgul, bay mare, 1981 (Kerem, bay, 1982 – Garagum, black, 1993).
Measurements (2000): 158-156-170-19.5 cm
Breed value: 7.5-8-7.5- 7.
Class: elite
Peykam is the winner of 2001 show.
In 1999-2002 participated in 22 races, 15 times was a prize-winner.
190
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Garadashsyz
Peykam
191
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dark bay stallion, born in 1998
Father: Garashekil, black stallion, born in 1988 (989 Garader — 1928 Gulcamar).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Sabyrly (1014 Telegush-2 — 1848 Servi). Melekush’s line. Kir-Sackar’s
line.
Measurements (2002): 157-162-170-18,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-7,5-8-8.
Class: superstrain
Gandymgush takes part in the races on Ashkhabad hippodrome showing high
results. It has been awarded traditional prizes five times. It topped the chart on show exercising of young stallions and was recognized to be its winner.
Black steed, born in 1998
Father: Pasyl, bay stallion, born in 1992 (Peycam — Sayat ). Peren’s line.
Mother: Dagarman, black mare, born in 1989 (1080 Fackel—1860 Terbash). DorBayram’s line.
Measurements: 158-159-168-19 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
192
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Gandymgush
Dagly
193
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Black stallion, born in 1998
Father: Erezgala, bay stallion, born in 1990 (1082 Edenli —2233 Mydar). KirSackar’s line.
Mother: Garagachak, black mare, born in 1991 (1067 Melekush — 2121 Gaymak). Melekush’s line.
Measurements: 156-155-170-18,5 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 5 performances in the races, 0-1-4.
Class: superstrain
Dark bay stallion, born in 1999
Father: 18 Garadashly, black stallion, born in 1986 (989 Garader — 2049 Saryyag). Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Olympia, dark bay mare, born in 1988 (1067 Melekush — 1829 Oyunchy).
Melekush’s line.
Measurements: 158-161-179-19,5 (8,0-7,5-8,0).
Breed’s value: 6 performances, 3-2-1
Class: superstrain
194
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Shirkhan
Garador
195
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Grey stallion, born in 2005
Father: Anshata Sirius
Mother: Lamiya Elkuveyt
Breed’s value: thoroughbred Arab stallion.
Dun stallion, born in 1999
Father: Tyllanur, bay stallion, born in 1990 (1014 Telegush – 2096 Aysuluv), Melekush’s line.
Mother: Aylar, bay mare, born in 1991(1085 Yalkymly-2 – 2105 Altynai), Gaplan’s
line
Measurements: 165-166-180-19 (8,0-7,5-8,0).
Breed’s value: 3 performances, 0-1-2.
Class: superstrain
196
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Lakhab
Elkuveyt
Toychi
197
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dark bay stallion, born in 2000
Father: 1023 Altyyap, bay stallion, born in 1977 (685 Angar — 1546 Garlangach).
Scack’s line.
Mother: Akmonjick, dun mare, born in 1991 (1096 Pick —Aygozel 20, bay, born
in 1986). Peren’s line. Scack’s line.
Measurements (2002): 153–155–168–18,5 cm.
Breed’s value: 8-8-8-8.
Class: superstrain
It is trained for the races.
line.
Light dun stallion, born in 2000
Father: Jomart, chestnut stallion, born in 1994 (Melekush - Dessegyul), Arab’s
Mother: Ayna, light dun mare, born in 1993 (Caral (Corall?) – 2236 Ovadan),
Garlavach’s line.
Measurements: 161-159-170-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 6 performances in the races, 2-1-2.
Class: superstrain
198
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Adylkhan
Altyndamja
199
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dun stallion, born in 2000
Father: Erezgala, bay stallion, born in 1990 (1082 Edenli —2233 Mydar). KirSackar’s line.
Mother: Erzhe, grey mare, born in 1990 (1015 Toretai – 2181Elyovser), Yel’s
line.
Measurements: 160-158-175-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 4 performances, 0-1-3.
Class: superstrain
Bay stallion, born in 2000
Father: Akyldar, chestnut stallion, born in 1993 (1023 Altyyap — 1743 Gyulhana).
Scack’s line.
Mother: Inzhir, bay mare, born in 1993 (1071 Peykam — Intisar). Peren’s line.
Measurements: 157-155-176-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 3 performances, 0-1-2.
Class: superstrain
200
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Yenish
Akylly
201
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay stallion, born in 2000
Father: Vepaly, bay stallion, born in 1985 (886 Watanchy – 2049 Saryyag), Aksakal’s line
Mother: Sailan, black mare, born in 1994 (1072 Peykam – 2050 Syakhra), Peren’s
line.
Measurements: 166-155-174-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 4 performances, 0-2-2.
Class: superstrain
Dun stallion, born in 2000
Father: Meydan, dun stallion, born in 1990 (1027 Bakhyrkhan – 1997 Maica),
Garlavach’s line.
Mother: Kyadi-2, bay mare, born in 1987 (989 Garader – 2209 Kichitai), Kir-Sackar’s line.
Measurements: 157-156-175-19 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 22 performances, 3-8-6-1: “Bolshoi Akhal” – 2nd place, «Keymirkyor» - 4th place, “Hoshlashyk” - 2nd place.
Class: superstrain
202
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Vadaly
Tejebegala
203
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Bay stallion, born in 2001
Father: Gumry, chestnut stallion, born in 1990 (983 Goklen —2274 Dushumli).
Kir-Sackar’s line.
Mother: Samara, bay mare, born in 1995 (Gaiduvsyz - Savchy), Kir-Sackar’s
line.
Measurements: 157-156-170-19 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 8 performances, 2-0-6.
Class: superstrain
Black stallion, born in 2001
Father: Meget, bay stallion, born in 1988 (904 Melekush — 1911 Gabrassa). KirSackar’s line.
Mother: Gupbaly, dark bay mare, born in 1987 (987 Garader — 2141 Gozli). KirSackar’s line.
Measurements: 162-165-180-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 5 performances, 0-2-3.
Class: superstrain
204
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Duldul
Berkarar
205
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
line
Dun stallion, born in 2001
Father: Karfagen, grey-dun stallion, born in 1995 (Kerzi - Fortuna), Gaplan’s
Mother: Altyn, bay mare, born in 1987 (945 Gerden - 1721 Altyngash), Gaplan’s
Measurements: 157-158-175-18,5 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 7 performances, 1-1-5.
Class: superstrain
Bay stallion, born in 2002
Father: Goar-17, dun stallion, born in 1986, (944 Govkher-4 — 2005 Menaca-15).
Gelishikli’s line.
Mother: Elsona, bay mare, born in 1988 (1011 Sultan - 2217 Kunji), Arab’s line.
Measurements: 157-158-175-18,5 (7,5-7,0-7,0).
Breed’s value: 2 performances, 0-1-1.
Class: superstrain
206
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Rukhabatly
Serdarym
207
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
line.
line.
Dun stallion, born in 2002
Father: Sazanda, black stallion, born in 1993 (Kement - Sovgat), Kir-Sackar’s
Mother: Keykil, dark bay mare, born in 1993 (191 Saltyk - 1984 Kimbiler). Yel’s
Measurements: 162-158-169-19 (7,5-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 4 performances, 1-0-3.
Class: superstrain
Father: Piyada, dun stallion, born in 1990 (967 Pudock —2116 Bostan). Peren’s
Mother: Perde, chestnut mare, born in 1990 (945 Gerden - 1836 Penjegyul),
Gaplan’s line.
Measurements: 156-154-168-18 (7,0-7,5-7,0).
Breed’s value: 1 performance, 0-0-1.
Class: superstrain
208
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Synmaz
Nurana
209
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dark bay stallion, born in 2003
Father: Aldan, black stallion, born in 1991 (Cadr - Alma), Garlavach’s line.
Mother: Ayperi, dun mare, born in 1993 (973 Abdulrakhman – 1831 Pamyk),
Fackir-Palvan’s line.
Measurements: 155-154-165-18 (7,5-7,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 3 performances, 0-1-2.
Class: superstrain
line.
Bay stallion, born in 2003
Father: Garashsyz, grey stallion, born in 1993 (983 Goklen—Sailov). Kir-Sackar’s
Mother: Elsaray, bay mare, born in 1996 (Goar 17 —Enish). Gelishikli’s line.
Dorbayram’s line.
Measurements: 155-154-160-18 (7,0-7,5-7,5).
Breed’s value: 4 performances, 0-1-3.
Class: superstrain
210
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Dordepel
Ganatly
211
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
line.
line.
Bay stallion, born in 2004
Father: Piyada, dun stallion, born in 1990 (967 Pudock —2116 Bostan). Peren’s
Mother: Elsaray, bay mare, born in 1996 (Goar 17 — 2232 Enish). Gelishikli’s
Measurements: 161-162-178=19,5 (7,5-8,0-7,5).
Breed’s value: 10 performances, 4-1-4-1: in 2007 – the 4th place for the “Seidi”
prize, the 3rd place for the “Melekush” prize.
Class: superstrain
line
Grey-dun stallion, born in 2004
Father: Keymir-2, black horse, 1987 (894 Kerven – 1520 Yelsona), Gyrsakar’s
Mother: Sabyrly, dun mare, 1993 (1012 Telegush – 1848 Servi), Melekush’s line.
Measurements: 158-156-170-18.5 (7.5-7.0-7.5)
Breed value: 7 races, 2-2-3.
Class: elite
212
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed
Baidak
Kanun
213
To help
an equestrian
sport
devotee
TO HELP AN EQUESTRIAN SPORT DEVOTEE
As is generally known, a horse is the only domestic animal that participates
in sporting events, including the Olympic Games, alongside with a human. The equestrian sport, horse riding and races are conducive to fostering valour, quick wit, dexterity
and composure in a human. The equestrian tourism makes hardy an organism, aids in
cultural leisure-time spending and cultivates a patriotic sentiment in young people.
P rimary horse
motions
The horses’ important quality is their subjection to the will of a horseman they
are saddled by, they are docile in hands of a trainer-seis, a horseman and a jockey.
A horse has a well-developed metabolism, respiratory apparatus, cardiovascular and nervous systems, a skeleton and musculature. This animal is notable for a
good audition, sensitiveness, keen scent, and it perfectly knows its owner. The steed
sees the road and its vicinity well, and it cautiously sets its foot on the ground choosing
a place for a leg to be put.
An Akhalteke under saddle is very beautiful and graceful; it is comfortable for
a horseman mounted and its gait is gentle. When it sets off at a gallop, it seems to fly
above the ground; its caper is big and sweeping. When a steed is well-trained, it easily
covers both short and long distances.
Steed’s motion is a physical action, when a steed, after tucking in the barrel,
displaces its centre of gravity forward, but when it moves forward its centre of gravity
restores, and movements are repeated in the similar way. Simply speaking, the steed
moves, gallops in chase of its centre of gravity.
Movement’s tempos imply a moment when a steed gets its legs off the
ground, either one by one or in pairs, and then returns them to the initial position. The
steed makes different motions with a different velocity. Cruciform motions of all four
legs of a steed enhance their rest on the ground and permit its moving smoothly and
with confidence.
By regular steed’s training in different motions, one can refine them and attain a harmony. The aforesaid is the target of any steed’s training.
The horse moves in different gaits and with different velocity. There are three
main gaits: a pace, a trot and a gallop. When pacing, horse’s hooves are alternately
set on the ground, four strokes are heard. When trotting, 2 diagonal pairs of extremities
are alternately set on the ground. Two strokes are heard.
When ambling, a steed alternately kicks the ground and raises lateral legs
two by two, after that it hovers in the air without any support. When ambling, a steed
slightly sways, nevertheless, a horseman feels comfortable on it.
When galloping, horse’s hooves make 3 strokes (3 tempos). If the right front
hoof is the last to be set on the ground, then the fashion is to say that the horse is galloping from the right leg.
A steed achieves the best rate of motion when it raises legs at an average
height, then throws out them forward, and makes frequent sazhen paces.
218
TO HELP AN EQUESTRIAN SPORT DEVOTEE
A steeplechase and the highest school of riding – implementation of the most
intricate figures, games, circus shows, etc. are attributed to the acquired habits of the
steed’s motion. These motions are sophisticated and a steed is trained them in the
course of special trainings.
H arness
Depending on the steed’s purpose, the following items of its harness are
used: rishme, a bridle, a saddle, a saddle girth, a sweat cloth, a breast collar, a breast
band, a lash and horseshoes.
A halter is used in case when a steed is to be led by a rein, tethered or shown
to somebody.
A bridle is put on the steed’s head together with a rein, it is necessary for
a horse to be handled by a horseman, turned in the direction required, directed and
stopped.
A saddle is necessary for a horseman to sit comfortably on a horse, to help
him bend forward and to handle a horse while leaning against a saddle.
The Turkmen saddle is the oldest and the most comfortable one. In contradistinction to others it has a pommel. The Turkmen saddle is hewn out of a purple
willow; afterwards it is trimmed with thin raw leather.
A sporting saddle is put on a steed during equestrian contests. Racing and
sporting saddles have an especially strong stirrup rope.
Horseshoes for racing horses are made of tensile metals (10-12 mm wire),
they are required to protect horse’s hooves against injury, and in addition, they facilitate the proper horse running. Two front legs of racing horses are shoed.
219
TO HELP AN EQUESTRIAN SPORT DEVOTEE
S porting
horse grooming
Everybody who deals with steeds must know the procedure of keeping
horses, their grooming, feeding and watering, and cleaning. The aforesaid works are
performed in stables in compliance with a strict routine. Each horseman ought to look
after a horse under his charge himself, and then a steed will reciprocate his feelings, in
return for the human’s attention a steed will obey him during the races, sporting events,
trainings and when doing exercises.
Sporting horses are kept in spacious and light stables partitioned in special
compartments. It is welcomed when the area of each compartment is not less than 12
square metres. A feeding trough is installed in the corner of the compartment. Its floor
is covered with wood chips or hay; the aforesaid is necessary to make the floor always
dry, clean and soft for a steed. Stables and stalls shall be kept tidy; therefore they are
scoured every day. During a day, a steed should be also rubbed down after riding and
its legs should be washed.
A zoological and veterinary service schedules the daily routine, where the
time of horses’ feeding and watering, their training, washing and rest is specified. Before a steed is given fodder, it should drink its fill. The horse’s daily norms and fodder
ration are fixed by a veterinarian and a seis himself; the rations are divided in three
equal parts and given to a steed in the morning, afternoon and evening.
Thrice a day a steed is given vegetable forage. Depending on loads a steed
has, it is given 5-6 kilogrammes of barley or oats, 1 kilogramme of bran, 6 kilogrammes
of alfalfa hay. As a supplementary ration the steed is fed with carrots, fish, chalk and
other vitamin and mineral additives. When a steed returns from hard works or the
races, it can be fed with hay, but not earlier than two hours later, this time span is
required for a steed to become cool. At first it should be watered in plenty and then
given fodder.
220
TO HELP AN EQUESTRIAN SPORT DEVOTEE
H andling
of a steed
It is recommended to mount racing and sporting horses inside the stable, and
then ride outside. When saddling a disquieted steed, a horseman should lean on the
left leg with the help of a groom and quickly fling himself into the saddle, owing to the
aforesaid his safety will be ensured.
To mount the steed, one should stand on its left, while holding the bridle with
one’s left hand, and fix one’s left leg into the stirrup, while the right leg is being thrown
over a saddle on the steed’s right side. Legs should be perfectly placed in stirrups and
reins should be winded on the hand.
To be able to ride a horse, one should train at least 30 hours, in order to
learn how to handle any steed’s running – a trot, an amble, and a gallop. Three main
conditions should be observed to learn to handle a steed: to stick straight on a steed,
to learn to maintain a harmonious interrelation with a steed, to learn to handle a bridle,
reins and a lash.
Steed-fanciers who crave for learning the horse riding, in the first place shall
learn to stick on a steed, while keeping their balance. After one is able to stick on a
steed, on no account one is allowed to grasp at the saddle or the mane, to strike the
horse’s sides with legs in the stirrups and to squeeze them with a great force. Horses
with light running and good temper are selected for trainees, they will be able to learn
to stick on them and handle the horse very quickly.
The better way to learn to stick on a steed is to let it trotting or ambling. To
form balance skills, it is considered to be useful to mount a steed without stirrups and
a saddle.
If a horseman is sitting with confidence, keeps his balance and doesn’t impede steed’s natural motions, then the steed acts in congruence with its rider and tries
to keep its balance as well. The steed aligns itself with its rider and obeys him.
T raining steeds
for sporting events
For horse races steeds are begun training at the age of 1,5-2, for the equestrian sport three-year-old steeds are selected. At the outset, they undergo common
trainings irrespective of the kind of sport they are to be subsequently prepared. Young
steeds are trained all kinds of pace and riding, what is required to make hardy their organisms, to develop their muscles and to teach a steed in doing any exercises freely.
The first trainings of a steed in performing of all types of pacing and riding
have not less than a 10-month or one-year duration and they include three periods.
The first period lasts for 3 months, during this time the steed has been trained
on a special ground. It is trained in circular motions, while being held on a long rein.
Young steeds are trained about 1 hour and 20 minutes per day, thereat, they have to
pace, trot and gallop.
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The second period lasts for 3-3,5 months. 1 hour and 40 minutes are spent
for daily trainings. Steeds are trained by holding them on a rein and sitting astride
them. Thereat, figuring of eight is added to those trained in manege riding and steeplechases; to this effect a steed is tapped on its left or right shoulder making it do halfturns and full turns and is trained to stop and stand still. While a steed is being held on
a rein, it is made to jump over obstacles 50-60 cm high, ascend obstacles and jump
from them with a horseman mounted.
The third period lasts for 4-5 months. Steeds are trained in the open field,
on the rugged terrain and sandy soils. At first, simple exercises are performed – leaps
over shallow ponds and pacing on bumpy roads. Then exercises are complicated by
making a steed move on big bumps and pits. Such intricate exercises are done twice
a week.
As regards big-time sports, steeds have been trained for 3-4 years, thereat,
the training shall be regular in order to perfect continually skills and reinforce the acquirements.
H ighest school
of riding
When participating in the highest school of riding contests, horses shall have
adjusted, light and free, beautiful and harmonious motions. A horseman shall sit on
a steed free and straight, hold his own and handle the steed with no worry; the audience shall not notice any movements he is executing to bring the racehorse under his
control.
The following exercises are performed in the highest school of riding contests:
Pacing – mean, long, short spacing and unrestricted motions. With mean
spacing the steed’s hind leg follows the track of the foreleg; a pace is executed in a
steady speed. The steed’s neck is stretched-out and slightly curved. With long spacing
the steed’s hind leg oversteps the track of the foreleg, it is set further on the ground,
and the steed’s head and neck are slightly lowered. With short spacing the steed’s hind
legs don’t reach the track of its forelegs. The neck is straight and slightly curved.
Short, long and mean trotting. When a steed figs out, a horseman sits with his
corpus inclined slightly forward and leans his hands against his laps. With every beat
of a hoof, a horseman raises himself a little in a saddle and sinks into it again, scilicet
in time with the horse’s motions he moves up and down. With long trotting, a horseman
is at his ease in the saddle.
A gallop is executed by dint of three types of motions – mean, quick and short.
With a quick gallop, a steed makes a long pace, runs quickly and freely. To maintain a
steed in this very type of motion, a special sport facility is available - a leg of rider.
To make a steed stop during any type of motion, one should carefully draw
the bridle and the steed will gradually stop offering no resistance.
A steed shall stand quietly and motionlessly in the place required and rest on
all four legs.
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A backward movement – a steed shall move straight backward with its neck
and head slightly lowered and looking before it.
A lateral movement - holding its head upright, a steed must execute diagonal
lateral movements pacing from corner to corner of the manege.
Intricate figures of the highest school of riding:
Half-turn (half-pirouette). A turnover, while pacing and galloping, and a rotation (pirouette) after which a steed completely turns back. Thereat, a steed stands on
forelegs and performs turns with its corpus.
Passage – an ordered coordinated gallop, at low rate, a steed is collected
and raises its legs high and sets them on the ground without exertion. It may be said it
performs a splendid gallop, while standing still.
Piaffer – the same passage motions in a gallop, but a steed just stands still
and demonstrates galloping movements. When piaffer motions are properly accomplished, at 10-12 strokes a steed raises its legs very high and demonstrates galloping
movements, while standing still.
T echnique
of leaps
Leaps are complicated motions of a specially well-trained horse. Movements
in a leap include several stages.
Preparation for a leap – a speedup. A steed is let galloping and it is gaining
a speed. At last moment, before a caper, a steed leans on its forelegs and tosses up
its body with all its might. The steed’s head and neck are lowered and its forelegs are
ready to fly up.
A part of a leap – a steed pushes its body upwards with its forelegs, bends
hind legs a bit, then unbends them vigorously and jumps upward.
To soar – during this part of a leap a steed is flying forward over an obstacle
and soars, while its forelegs are bent, then, staying in the air, the steed bends its hind
legs and unbends its forelegs.
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Coming down to the ground – at first a steed raises its head and neck,
immediately after it sets two forelegs on the ground, following which it lowers its
hind legs.
A rider on the horseback shall execute movements similar to the horse’s
and act in harmony with it. When the steed starts speeding up, a rider shall sit in the
saddle in a semi-inclined state and lean his hands against his laps. When the steed is
preparing for a leap, a horseman shall move forward, and at the instant of a leap he
shall bend towards the steed’s neck. At the landing moment the rider draws himself up
and sits up straight.
Steeplechase competitions are called a show jumping.
Variable-height steeplechases call for an exquisite workmanship from a steed
and a rider.
Every time an obstacle bar is raised considerably higher and contests continue until the highest point is overcome, videlicet, until a steed clears the highest bar.
This point is happened to reach 220 cm.
Steeds are to be trained for this type of contests thoroughly and for a long
time. One should keep a vigilant watch on the steed’s health and permanently harden
it, strengthen muscles, train in various types of dressage and proper motions in a leap,
thereby, foster traits required for a leap – an audacity and certitude.
After a steed learns the simplest jumping motions well, one should proceed
to training in more complex and difficult techniques of a leap. For example, while raising and extending an obstacle by 1 metre, one should make the steed skip from the
place, in pacing, in trotting and in a speedup gallop, thereat, the steed shall perform
such exercises easily.
The second-year training of steeds aged 4-5 should be added with an arrangement of surprises, for example, one should train the steed to approach an obstacle from one side or very closely, then turn back and approach the obstacle again
to skip.
At present, a special ground measuring 80 m long and 50 m wide is constructed at the Akhalteke horse complex for steeplechase trainings. International masters of
the equestrian sport are training sportsmen there. Team and individual steeplechase
championships are annually held at the Akhalteke horse complex.
T riathlon
The equestrian triathlon is the most difficult and complex type of the equestrianism. Contest performances in this kind of sport have been held for three-four days
and include different exercises.
The first day of events – a manege ride with showing the simplest exercises.
On the manege having dimensions of 20-60 m a sportsman has to display different
figures of the highest school of riding, and perform turns, half-turns and steed’s stopping.
The second day’s competitions consist of four parts – a cross-country run
and running on roads with artificial barriers.
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The third day’s triathlon competitions include a manege ride and a steeplechase on lengths of road 750 to 900 m. Obstacles 120 m high and 180 m wide and
numbering 12 are erected on the aforementioned length, provided that the speed is not
less than 400 m per minute.
Field tests in triathlon are held in two types – a steeplechase and a crosscountry race. A circle-shaped or an octad-shaped steeplechase track is arranged in the
centre of a ground and obstacles are installed thereon.
A cross-country race is assigned on more complicated roads, a rugged terrain with varied obstacles with a moat inter alia.
T urkmen national
horseback games
Horseback games are notable for their rapidity and demand courage and
fearlessness. The first horseback games corresponded to sabre fights, javelin throwing
at full tilt, suspending of a pumpkin at a certain altitude that served as a gold shooting
mark. Such sport events taught skills of military game playing.
“To ride a horse, while hidden behind its side”. In one’s hour of need, one
had to hide by hanging over a steed to get to the enemy’s camp. The game bears
resemblance to the aforesaid, during the game a horseman hides by stretching along
the steed’s back.
“Telpek gapdy”. While riding a horse at a gallop, a horseman tosses up his
papakha and catches it at full speed. Dexterity is fostered owing to this game.
“Chovgan” – when two rival teams play a ball; this game was widespread
with the Turkmens in the Middle Ages. Subsequently, the game “chovgan” has become
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widespread in Europe and called an equestrian polo. The game is played on a rectangular ground having dimensions of 200 m x 150 m. The gates are 3 metres wide. Two
teams, 6 horsemen in each team, play the game.
“Ovlak chapdy” (goat-tearing). Two horseback teams play this game. A rival
team must reach the finish at a gallop and throw a goatling carcass towards the middle
of the field. There wins a team that kicks the goatling carcass into the goal in greater
numbers. The game is interesting and watched with a strained attention. Strong racehorses, which are able to balance, are preferred for this game.
“Riders’ horseback games”. A trick riding. A horseman does all kinds of exercises at full tilt. Horseback circus shows may be regarded as the continuation of
ancient Turkmen national horseback games.
No Turkmen wedding or national holiday is celebrated without national horseback games.
T urkmen horse races
To have horse races during festivities has become a tradition with the Turkmens. At the same time, they have grown into one of the most wonderful kinds of the
equestrian sport.
On Turkmenistan hippodromes one can see performances of Akhalteke racehorses displayed independently; the steeds aged 2 to 8 and mares aged 2 to 4. The
races are held under an annual programme in spring and autumn seasons.
Racehorses are divided in 5 groups according to their speed. Two year olds
having won neither in the first races nor in subsequent races are recorded in the fourth
group. Those, which have won once, are put on the third-group list, twice winners – in
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the second-group list and thrice winners – in the first-group list. Those which have won
four times are entered in a separate group, thus, five groups are formed. Any racehorse is allowed to set off on a track together with steeds of its group.
The following distances are foreseen in the races: for two year olds – 500,
800, 1000, 1200, 1400 and up to 1600 metres; for three year olds - 1000, 1200, 1400,
1600, 1800, 2000, 2400, 2800 and 3000 metres; for four year olds and above – 1200
to 4800 metres.
The Grand Prix – the President of Turkmenistan Prize – is generally conferred on the winners of the laps on the Day of Independence on hippodromes of Turkmenistan. Three-year-old steeds and mares compete at a distance of 2800 metres.
The Great Akhal Prize may be also attributed to traditionally large prizes.
It is commonly conferred on steeds aged 4 and above at a distance of 4000 metres;
Eyeberdy Teleke Prize – among two year olds at a distance of 1600 metres.
Premium points are recorded for steeds that take prize-winning places and,
depending on the point magnitude, a cash bonus is instituted and valuable gifts are
given.
M arathon races
In ancient times and nowadays, the marathon races are organized in order
to find out the steed’ speed and stamina. There are one-day and days-long marathon
rounds. Strong and specially trained horses aged 6-12 are selected for this kind of
contests. Rules of the International Equestrian Sport Federation specify distances for
a marathon round to be 25, 50, 100, 120, 160 kilometres, thereat, a horseman’s weight
with the harness shall not exceed 70-75 kilogrammes.
The first marathon round with participation of Akhalteke racehorses was held
in November 1945 at the distance of 500 km and dedicated to the Victory in the World
War II. Horses of all nine racing breeds existed in the USSR in those days, including
Arabic, English and other breeds, took part in the event. In the course of competitions
that spanned five days steeds had to cover 100 km without stops. Turkmen racehorses
gained all essential prizes and three prize-winning places.
E questrian tourism
The equestrian tourism is a horseback travelling, which facilitates the human’s
relaxation and rest, not to say about good spirits together with a physical training.
While riding on horseback, one can reach the out-of-the-way corners of the
countryside, whereto no other transport vehicle can get – to mountain gorges, to the
forest, to the banks of rivers and lakesides, one can travel in barkhan sands, rest and
enjoy the amenity of wildlife. Tourists can go on days-long riding trips with tents and
foodstuffs taken along.
Throughout the tourist route special grounds have been furnished to keep
steeds on a tether during recreational stops. Thereat, a steed is liberated from a bridle
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and haltered; the length of the tether rope shall not be less than 3-4 metres. If enclosures are available, mares and geldings are kept together.
Steeds whereon tourists are riding shall be in plenty watered and fed thrice a
day. The fodder is divided in three parts, and a workhorse is given 8-10 kilogrammes
of hay and 4 kilogrammes of barley. After returning from a trip, steeds should be given
grass, but they are watered not less than 1,5 hours thereafter and only then the fodder
is poured.
One should bear in mind that quiet and good-tempered, physically strong
and flawless steeds must be selected for the organization of the equestrian tourism.
Horses above 4 and under 14 are applicable.
In addition to governmental institutions, daikhan associations, private farms
and enterprising horse breeders may be engaged in the organization of the equestrian
tourism provided that they are specially authorized thereto and steeds are in their possession.
The equestrian tourism is suitable for everybody, and it is a convenient form
of relaxation. We dispose of every opportunity to have it organized at the highest international level, to attract foreign tourists to our country and to familiarize them with the
national culture, and peculiarities of unique nature of the Turkmen land.
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Contents
A Symbol of Great Revival.................. 11
History witnesses.................................. 27
In the sun of the Turkmen land............ 35
In harmony with nature........................ 43
Steed is everything
for the Turkmens..................................... 51
The best from the best............................ 63
To new sports achievements................ 71
Superstrain of the Akhalteke breed..... 86
To help an equestrian sport devotee ............. 216
Gurbanguly
BERDYMUHAMEDOV
Akhalteke horse – our pride and glory
Special photography: V.A. Sarkisyan
Photographs by A. Tumanov, R. Kozubov,
Yu. Shkurin and from TDH photo-archive
are used in the book.
Printed in Germany
© Türkmendöwlethabarlary (TDH), 2008