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The Akhal-Teke horse—pronounced like “apple” with a Ok as a substitute of the P’s, and “techie”—is without doubt one of the rarest horse breeds on the planet. Initially from Turkmenistan, the breed is over 4,000 years previous. Their closed stud e-book has been held in Russia since 1932.
The Akhal-Teke Affiliation of America (ATAA) runs the North American registry in partnership with the stud e-book. They register each pure and part-breds, and at present have over 400 registered.
The breed is thought for its stamina, intelligence, athleticism, and naturally that unimaginable metallic sheen to their coat. One other distinctive attribute is the Akhal-Teke “glide” gait, which is a easy, quick trot. They had been additionally one of many basis horses for the Thoroughbred breed.
One Akhal-Teke, a black stallion named Absent, gained 4 Olympic medals in dressage with two completely different riders at three completely different Olympic Video games through the Sixties.
Right this moment, house owners of the breed proceed to admire this extremely uncommon and delightful horse for its superb attributes.
The Good Wedding ceremony Current
Who wants dishware when you may get a stallion as a marriage current? Katrina Ardiel, present ATAA president, had liked the breed since she a baby, however didn’t see one in individual till she met her husband, Giles.
“After we met, he had simply bought two Akhal-Teke fillies, Azeri and Dessangul,” Katrina says. “Azeri went on to be a tremendous competitor, and Dessangul is my husband’s favourite hunt horse.
“I used to be personally drawn to the Akhal-Teke’s clever affection and athletic disposition,” she continues. “They’re the right companion and the perfect type of good friend. Not one which follows blindly and agrees with all the pieces you say, however one which teaches you and challenges you simply as a lot as you them.”
Smitten with one another and the breed, Katrina and Giles gave one another a 16.1-hand chestnut stallion, Gerald, as a marriage reward. Gerald was good at eventing, however nice at dressage.
“In 2019, we competed in our first Prix St. Georges collectively,” Katrina says. “At the moment beneath the course of Canada’s dressage rider Megan Lane, Gerald and I hope to do our first small tour CDI this summer time.”
One among his sons, Hendrick, has excelled within the jumper ring.
“He’s athletic and quick, cautious and forgiving,” Katrina says. “He’s a stable 1.20-meter jumper and will in all probability go greater if it was not for the constraints of me, his rider! He loves his job a lot as a jumper that he’s been recognized to refuse to go away the ring at competitions. He’s a lovely boy and a very good instance of the breed.”
Up-and-Coming Rider Program
To encourage house owners of Akhal-Tekes to advertise the breed, the ATAA has an Up-and-Coming Rider program that provides grants to house owners who need to compete and/or attend high-profile exhibitions with their horse. Grants vary from $500 to $5,000.
Kathy Thode met her first Akhal-Teke in 2017 at a good friend’s farm.
“I really had little interest in shopping for one, and solely needed to go to my good friend, who had simply moved again to the world,” says Thode. “She was bringing 9 Akhal-Tekes together with her. She advised me all about them and I used to be very intrigued.” She ended up buying Kazimir, a 16.2-hand chestnut, from her good friend.
Kazimir and Thode have obtained two grants in 2021 and 2022, which went towards prices of competitors and to attend the Columbus Ohio Equine Affaire. The 2 compete in dressage, the place Kazimir excels. On their off time, he is also a trusted path mount.
“What amazes me about this breed is their calm and relaxed method out in nature and their skill to give attention to the job at hand, it doesn’t matter what it would entail,” says Thode.
An Akhal-Teke as a Breyer Mannequin
Akhal-Teke stallion Adamek was awarded the USA Dressage Federation (USDF) All Breeds Dressage award in 2022 and was chosen to be a Breyer mannequin in that very same yr. Sabine Desper first began using Adamek when she labored at Shenandoah Farm in Staunton, Va. After 10 years, the farm was dispersed upon the passing of its proprietor, Phil Case.
Now owned by the Akhal-Teke Basis, she feels lucky she will get to proceed to be his rider.
“I really like using Adamek for thus many causes,” says Desper. “He’s such a prepared accomplice and all the time tries his hardest, even when issues don’t come simple. His gaits are very snug, which is all the time a bonus in dressage. He’s all the time completely happy to prepare for a trip or to load up within the trailer to go locations.”
The ATAA loves to speak to people who find themselves within the breed. You possibly can contact them by their Fb web page (search “Akhal-Teke Affiliation of America”). If you want to satisfy an Akhal-Teke in individual, test their web site for venues the place the ATAA might be in attendance.
This text concerning the Akhal-Teke appeared within the September 2023 challenge of Horse Illustrated journal. Click on right here to subscribe!
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