|
Turkmenistan horses, riders set to vie in
top UAE endurance events
UAE Equestrian Federation team visits Turkmenistan,
Mutual Relations Receive a Big Boost |
 |
|
Ashgabat:
If all goes well, very soon the UAE endurance aficionados will
be watching and competing along with horses from Turkmenistan
in the UAE deserts. For the first time, equestrian enthusiasts
will get to watch the Turkmenistan breed of horses called
Akhal Teke in action.
|
|
 |
|
This was the outcome of a recent visit by a high-ranking
delegation from the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation,
headed by the Secretary General Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, to
Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan. The visit was in response
to an invitation extended to His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Sultan
bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Equestrian & Racing
Federation, from the President of the Turkmenistan Equestrian
Federation in an effort to boost mutual relations in this
field. |
 |
|
The visit, which coincided with the 17th Independence Day
celebrations of Turkmenistan, included the opening of a mega
building which houses the headquarters of Turkmenistan
Equestrian Federation. Some races were held to mark the
occasion which attracted huge attendance since they were
considered major horse races in this Central Asian country. |
 |
|
Taleb Al Muhairi held a meeting with Mr. Annakuli Nurgldiyev,
the Minister of Equestrian Affairs in Turkmenistan and Yusup
Annaklychev, Secretary General of Turkmenistan Equestrian
Federation, in the presence of the UAE Ambassador to
Turkmenistan Hassan Al Adhab. During the meeting the UAE
Equestrian Federation extended an invitation to the
Turkmenistan horses and riders to take part in the forthcoming
Endurance Championships such as the HH The President of the
UAE Cup, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup and the
National Day Cup. The two parties held elaborate discussions
of relevant issues such as quarantine arrangements. |
 |
|
Taleb Al Muhairi thanked the officials of the Turkmenistan
Federation for the warm reception and hoped for better and
wider mutual relations in future. He said that the visit was
fruitful in opening up a window of opportunities for the two
parties to boost their equestrian ties. He said that Turkmen
horses and riders could soon find their way in top UAE
endurance championships this season, and more is yet to come.
He also thanked Ambassador Hassan Abdullah Al Adhab for the
endless support and personal involvement in coordinating the
visit programme. |
 |
The UAE delegation attended the official opening ceremony of
the new Equestrian Federation building, which was opened by
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov. It is
arguably the biggest of its kind in the region and many Asian
countries. The President also showed his prowess in riding by
taking part in two races.
The UAE Ambassador took this opportunity to thank His
Excellency Dr. Sheik Sultan for his endeavour is boosting the
equestrian activities not only in the UAE but outside too. The
ceremony was attended by a host of high ranking diplomats.
Meanwhile at the races, lot of excitement prevailed as 15 new
cars stood majestically beaming and waiting only to be
presented to the winners. Each of the first three finishers in
each race in a card of the six races drove away with a brand
new vehicle, five minutes after passing the finish line.
In a further boost to the equestrian sport in Turkmenistan,
Mr. Annakuli Nurgldiyev informed the UAE delegation that the
President had recently endorsed plans to construct five horse
stables in five regions of the country. The step is thought to
boost the drive to excel in international endurance races and
horseracing events that will set the stage for a successful
participation in WEG, in Kentucky 2010.
(ADDITIONAL INPUT)
Much regard is devoted to horses in Turkmenistan and the
popular view is to treat them as precious animals. For example
horses are never used in pulling weights, nor are they
slaughtered or eaten. Their welfare is absolutely attended to
during life, and upon death, they are not left as corpses or
cremated but buried and funerals of notable horses are made.
Moreover, they are not sold, but are offered as gifts to
highly regarded state guests. For ages the Turkmen people have
been famous for their special reverence for horses. The
nation’s coat of arms and the official emblem of the state
have a depiction of a horse.
The second largest racecourse of Ashgabat, which has been
fully refurbished, was a home of the main horserace event made
in celebration of the Independence Day. Races were conducted
every 15 minutes in distances ranging from 7 to 15 furlongs.
Races were made on the dirt track, which is right-handed. The
racing horses are known as Akhal Teke breed, known for their
unique colours somewhat different from thoroughbreds and pure
Arabians. They believe their skinny horses are the most
beautiful in the world. |
|
