The event will begin on September 4 with the first stages of the World Beauty Championship for Akhal-Teke horses.
Doha, Qatar: The Netherlands will take centre stage from September 4 to 6, as the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in Kronenberg hosts the World Beauty Championship And Equestrian Sports Competition among the Heavenly Akhal-Teke Horses, bringing together horse enthusiasts, breeders, scientists, artists and guests from around the world to celebrate one of the world’s most distinctive and prized horse breeds.
Known as one of the oldest and most elegant horse breeds in the world, the Akhal-Teke horse is celebrated for its extraordinary beauty, endurance, intelligence and historical significance. Often referred to as the ‘Heavenly Horse’, the breed represents centuries of Turkmen equestrian tradition and remains a treasured symbol of national heritage.
The event will begin on September 4 with the first stages of the World Beauty Championship, where young horses and mares aged one to four years will compete before an international jury of experts.
The day will also feature an exciting dressage competition, demonstrating the grace, discipline and athleticism for which the breed is renowned.
At the same time, academics, breeders and equestrian specialists will convene in Venray for the International Scientific and Practical Conference, 'Akhal-Teke Horse: The Turkmen Art of World-Class Horse Breeding,' highlighting the historical, cultural and scientific dimensions of Akhal-Teke breeding.
The highlight of the championship will take place on September 5.
High-level guests will attend the open conference of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore a special exhibition dedicated to Turkmen equestrian art, culture, artistic creativity and the European horse industry.
The excitement will continue with the beauty competition for adult horses, followed by the selection of the World Champion Akhal-Teke Horse among the winners of all categories.
Another crowd favourite, the Best Decorated Horse Competition, will showcase the artistry and traditions associated with the breed.
During the afternoon, spectators will enjoy a thrilling show-jumping competition demonstrating the remarkable versatility and sporting abilities of the Akhal-Teke horse.
The championship celebrations will culminate in a prestigious awards ceremony on September 6 with cultural performances.
The Akhal-Teke horse breed originated in the territory of present-day Turkmenistan and is known for its tall stature, intelligence, agility, strength and glossy coat.
Its distinctive, shimmering coat has earned it the nickname ‘Golden Horse’.
Today, the Akhal-Teke is considered one of the fastest horse breeds in the world, alongside the English Thoroughbred. Its origins are believed to date back approximately 3,000 years. The Akhal-Teke is also considered a rare breed, with fewer than 7,000 horses worldwide.
Some researchers consider the breed one of the oldest in the world, while the modern name ‘Akhal-Teke’ emerged in 1881, combining the name of the Teke Turkmen tribe with that of the Akhal oasis.
The art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and the traditions of horse decoration were officially inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2023.
The World Beauty Championship and Equestrian Sports Competition among the Heavenly Akhal-Teke Horses is far more than an international sporting event. It is a celebration of a living heritage that connects history, culture, art, science and the timeless bond between humans and horses.
