THE VIII MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL AHALTEKE HORSE BREEDING ASSOCIATION WAS HELD IN ASHGABAT

On April 26, 2018 in Ashgabat, under the chairmanship of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the VIII session of the International Ahalteke Horse Breeding Association was held.

The forum was attended by the members of the government, foreign and domestic members of the International Ahalteke Horse Breeding Association, employees of the horse breeding industry of the country, representatives of the media.

The Presidential car stops at the square in front of the Oguzkent Hotel. In the lobby of the building the head of the state was welcomed by the participants of the meeting. Here, the ceremony of photographing the delegates and guests of the forum with the President of Turkmenistan took place. Then they all went to the conference hall of the hotel.

 Welcoming the participants, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov cordially congratulated them on the start of the forum, which is already held for the eighth time on the Turkmen land - the homeland of the glorified Ahalteke horses.

Speaking about the agenda of the meeting called to become a significant event of the year under the motto "Turkmenistan - the heart of the Great Silk Road", the head of state noted that it is necessary to consider issues of further development of Ahalteke horse breeding and equestrian sport at the international level, to discuss the tasks facing the organization on the modern stage and take appropriate decisions.

This year marks the eight years since the creation of the International Ahalteke Horse Breeding Association. During this period many associations of Ahalteke horse breeding, legal entities and private horse breeders from different parts of the world were accepted into membership of this structure. As the head of state noted, at the moment the Association includes 137 legal entities and individuals from 32 countries of the world, and their number is growing from year to year, which reflects the expanding scale of cooperation.

The speech of the President of Turkmenistan was received with great attention by the participants and guests of the forum and was repeatedly interrupted by stormy applause.

Then the floor was given to the president of the Ahalteke Horse Breeding Association of the Kingdom of Spain, Blanca de Toledo, Loma Osorio. On behalf of all members of the Association, the guest expressed sincere gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the events held annually in Turkmenistan on the occasion of the Turkmen Horse Festival.

A private horse breeder from Austria, Markus Mag Hubmann, also spoke. Congratulating the President on the holiday of the Turkmen horse, Hubmann wished the head of the state good health, longevity and great success in all spheres of activity.

Then were read out the Decrees on the conferment of honorary titles "Honored Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan" and "Master Jockey of Turkmenistan". In a solemn atmosphere President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented awards to our compatriots and foreign citizens.

Thanking all for active participation in the preparation and holding of the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan announced the conclusion of the VIII meeting of the International Ahalteke Horse Breeding Association, which was another important step in implementing a unified strategy for the development of the legendary breed all over the world, providing the ideological foundation of this joint work in new, modern conditions, and further strengthening of Turkmenistan's position as an emerging large international center for horse-breeding and equestrian sport.