Naveed Amad Khan
For the first time in history, the world’s finest Akhal-Teke horses will gather on a single international stage. From 4 to 6 September 2026, the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in Helmond, Netherlands, will host the inaugural World Championship of Akhal-Teke Horses, a landmark event bringing together elite equestrian competition, cultural celebration, and international artistic tribute to one of the world’s oldest and most treasured horse breeds.
Billed as “The Legend. The Beauty. The Champion,” the Championship marks a historic milestone—not only the first Akhal-Teke World Championship ever held, but also the first time such a gathering has taken place in the heart of Europe. Organisers describe the event as more than a sporting competition: it is a journey into the heart of Turkmen heritage, where the Akhal-Teke, long known as the “Soul of the Turkmen People,” becomes a living symbol of elegance, endurance, and the timeless bond between horse and human. Guests from around the world are expected to experience an atmosphere where elite equestrian competition meets authentic cultural discovery, with the finest representatives of the breed showcased alongside performances, exhibitions, and scholarly discussion of its history and future.
Central to the celebration is an ambitious International Competition for Paintings, Sculptures, Jewelry, Carpet Works, and Photographs, organised specifically to artistically depict the beauty of the Akhal-Teke horse. Held under the joint auspices of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association, the European Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association, the State Association “Turkmen atlary,” and the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, the competition aims to glorify the natural beauty of the breed in works of art, encourage young and established artists across disciplines, and strengthen cultural cooperation between nations through a shared appreciation of the horse’s grace and historical significance.
The competition spans five distinct categories, each with its own creative demands. Painters and sculptors face no restrictions on size or materials, free to choose whatever format or technique best captures the breed’s character. Jewelry entries must take the form of a set of horse ornaments—large and small bridle, breastplate, and saddle—crafted from precious metals and stones, sized appropriately for the Akhal-Teke’s distinctive frame. Carpet works must be hand-woven, featuring images of the horse rendered in traditional textile artistry. Photography entries face the strictest technical standards: images must be submitted electronically in JPEG or TIFF format at a minimum resolution of 300 DPI, sized between 30x40cm and 60x90cm or at least 3000 pixels, with file sizes between 5MB and 20MB. Photographs must have been taken during 2026, with no more than two submissions per photographer, and any alteration, retouching, or use of artificial intelligence in their creation is strictly prohibited—ensuring every image reflects the true, unretouched beauty of the horse.
All entries, regardless of category, are required to depict the Akhal-Teke in an academic, artistic manner that captures its authentic natural image. Submissions must be sent electronically to the Working Group in Ashgabat by 30 July 2026, accompanied by the artist’s personal details, including name, address, and contact information. Works approved by the State Organizing Committee will then be exhibited on-site at Peelbergen on 4 and 5 September 2026, where they will be presented to an international jury composed of respected foreign and Turkmen artists, horse breeders, and specialists for final judging. Notably, jury members are barred from submitting their own entries, and all works will be returned to their creators following the competition. Winners in each of the five categories—paintings, jewelry, sculpture, carpet works, and photographs—will be awarded first, second, and third place honours, celebrated alongside the equestrian champions crowned during the Championship itself.
Beyond the competitions and exhibitions, the event’s cultural programme promises a vivid showcase of Turkmen heritage, with performances by the renowned “Galkynyş” National Equestrian Games Group and artists from the State Circus of Turkmenistan, alongside a distinguished governmental and cultural delegation travelling from Turkmenistan to take part in the festivities. Together with the equestrian competitions, the traditional Akhal-Teke beauty contest, and an international scientific conference dedicated to the breed’s preservation and future, the artistic competition rounds out a three-day programme designed to honour the Akhal-Teke not merely as an athletic marvel, but as an enduring cultural treasure.
As September 2026 approaches, the Championship promises to draw breeders, artists, scholars, and admirers from across the globe to the Netherlands—uniting sport, science, and art in celebration of a breed whose beauty has captivated the world for millennia.
