A unique event was held in the city of Babolna in northern Hungary - the European Championship and an equestrian show of Ahal-Teke horses. The event attracted the attention of not only horse lovers, but also officials, reports Orient.tm.

The event was attended by 59 horses from 11 countries, both purebreds and half-breds. A three-person jury judged the horses on walk, canter, jump, movement and dressage.

Hungarian Agriculture Minister István Nagy, in his opening speech, emphasized the deep connection Hungarians have with horses, rooted in the history of the nation. He announced his decision to support this competition and continue this initiative in the future.

"The Ahal-Teke breed, considered one of the oldest cultivated breeds in the world, received its name from the Turkmen Teke tribe and the place of breeding – Ahal velayat. These horses, developed in harsh semi-desert conditions, are famous for their endurance and are considered a national treasure of the Turkmens.

Ahal-Teke breeding has a long history in Hungary. After a hiatus, it was revived in the 1970s, and from the 1990s the population began to slowly increase thanks to the enthusiasm of breeders. Today there are about 100 broodmares in the country, and breeding of purebred Ahal-Teke horses is carried out in several locations.

Particular attention is drawn to the unique feature of the Ahal-Teke horses - their golden coat with a metallic sheen, reminiscent of the golden-haired horses from Hungarian folk tales" commented the Hungarian news agency MTI.

It should be noted that the equestrian show in Babolna was held on the eve of the Days of Culture of Turkmenistan in Hungary, scheduled for August 7-11 as part of the all-Turkic Kurultai festival. Within the framework of cultural events, a grand opening of the bust of the Turkmen poet Magtymguly Fragi is also expected.