Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, speaking at the open meeting of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding in Kronenberg, Netherlands, proposed holding international events and championships to promote Alabay dogs, a pride of the Turkmen people, worldwide alongside Akhal-Teke horses, a representative of the Business Turkmenistan online publication attending the event reported.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that such major international events bring together representatives from many countries and also submitted to the meeting participants a proposal to hold major international equestrian championships of this kind once every five years.
During the meeting, speeches were delivered by Marian Weltevrede, president of the European Akhal-Teke Horse Association; Emil Roemer, governor of Limburg province; Jan Peter Balkenende, minister of state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Ioannis Maronitis, president of the Federation of UNESCO Clubs in Europe and North America and president of International Action Art; and Blanca de Toledo, president of the Spanish Akhal-Teke Horse Association.
The major international meeting, which brought together representatives of the equestrian sector from the Netherlands and other countries, was noted as an important opportunity to develop closer ties among specialists in the field, Akhal-Teke horse enthusiasts and like-minded people.
A five-month-old Friesian foal was presented to the National Leader of the Turkmen people on behalf of Marko Zeekaf, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Peelbergen Equestrian Sports Complex, as a symbol of friendship and appreciation. The Friesian horse is one of the Netherlands’ oldest and best-known horse breeds and is distinguished by its strength, nobility and beauty.
