4–6 September 2026 | Peelbergen Equestrian Centre, Kronenberg
By Derya Soysal.
From 4 to 6 September 2026, the Netherlands will host an international celebration of one of Turkmenistan’s most cherished symbols: the Akhal-Teke horse. At the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in Kronenberg, breeders, riders, researchers, artists and horse enthusiasts from around the world will gather for the World Beauty Championship and Equestrian Sports Competition among the Heavenly Akhal-Teke Horses.
The three-day programme combines equestrian sport with cultural heritage, scientific exchange and artistic expression, offering an opportunity to discover a breed whose history is closely intertwined with the identity of the Turkmen people.
A horse shaped by history
Originating in the territory of present-day Turkmenistan, the Akhal-Teke is renowned for its distinctive appearance, intelligence, agility, strength and endurance. Its fine, glossy coat can produce a striking metallic sheen, earning the breed the popular description of the “Golden Horse.”
For generations, Turkmen breeders have selectively developed qualities such as speed, stamina and intelligence, while preserving traditions surrounding the care, training and decoration of the horses. The breed remains a powerful national symbol and features on the State Emblem of Turkmenistan.
The cultural significance of the Akhal-Teke extends well beyond the horse itself. In 2023, UNESCO inscribed the “Art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and traditions of horses’ decoration” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription recognizes the knowledge and skills associated with breeding and caring for the horses, as well as traditions including naming rituals, beauty contests, racing, riding games and elaborate forms of horse decoration. (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage)
The tradition is also closely connected with Turkmen craftsmanship. Horse decorations incorporating jewellery, lace and carpets are part of a cultural practice in which knowledge is transmitted between generations. UNESCO notes that these skills are learned both informally and through educational and equestrian institutions. (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage)
Three days of sport, science and culture
The programme opens on Friday, 4 September, with the first stages of the World Beauty Championship. Young horses and mares between one and four years old will be assessed by an international jury, while a dressage competition will highlight the breed’s athleticism, discipline and elegance.
Alongside the competitions, academics, breeders and equestrian specialists will meet in Venray for the international scientific and practical conference “Akhal-Teke Horse: The Turkmen Art of World-Class Horse Breeding.” The conference will examine the breed from historical, cultural, scientific and practical perspectives.
Saturday, 5 September, will be the principal championship day. Following the welcome of distinguished guests, the programme will include an open conference of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association and an exhibition presenting aspects of Turkmen equestrian culture, art and craftsmanship alongside the European horse industry.
The sporting programme will feature the adult horse beauty competition and the selection of the World Champion Akhal-Teke Horse from the category winners. The Best Decorated Horse Competition will bring the artistic traditions of Turkmen horse decoration into the arena, while a show-jumping competition will demonstrate the breed’s versatility as a sport horse.
The day will conclude with an awards ceremony recognizing achievements in both equestrian competition and the arts, including works by painters, sculptors and carpet weavers inspired by the horse.
The championship will close on Sunday, 6 September, with cultural performances and the closing of the exhibition.
A living cultural tradition
For Turkmenistan, the Akhal-Teke represents more than an exceptional horse breed. It embodies a relationship between people, animals, landscape, craftsmanship and inherited knowledge that has developed over generations.
The importance of the horse is reflected in Turkmen traditions and sayings. One well-known proverb, “At adamyň ganaty,” translates as “A horse is a person’s wings.” It expresses the central place horses have traditionally occupied in Turkmen life and imagination.
The significance of the breed is particularly relevant in 2026, the Year of the Horse, adding a symbolic dimension to an event that brings Turkmen equestrian heritage to an international audience.
The Akhal-Teke Championship in Kronenberg therefore offers more than a showcase of horses. It creates a meeting point for sporting excellence, scientific knowledge, traditional craftsmanship and cultural exchange.
By bringing breeders, riders, researchers, artists, diplomats and enthusiasts together in the Netherlands, the event provides a contemporary setting in which a centuries-old heritage can be experienced and shared internationally.
Event information
4–6 September 2026
Peelbergen Equestrian Centre
Travers 5, 5976 PL Kronenberg, Netherlands
Admission: Free for visitors
