Kronenberg, the Netherlands | 4–6 September 2026
The Akhal-Teke 2026 International Championship, held at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in Kronenberg, has confirmed its place as one of the most closely watched equestrian and cultural events of the year, drawing breeders, scientists, cultural institutions and an unusually wide roster of international media to the Dutch province of Limburg according to [eureflect.com], [eureflect.com]
Widely regarded as one of the oldest and most elegant horse breeds in the world, the Akhal-Teke is a living symbol of Turkmenistan’s cultural heritage — celebrated for its endurance, intelligence and famous metallic sheen, which has earned it the nickname « the Golden Horse ». Over three days, the championship combined elite equestrian competition — including the World Beauty Championship, dressage and show-jumping — with a scientific conference in Venray, a Best Decorated Horse contest, cultural exhibitions and a gala evening, before an audience that included National Leader of the Turkmen People Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
A Media Partner Network Spanning Continents
According to the organizers, 50 accredited journalists covered the championship on-site, representing outlets across Europe, the Gulf, Central Asia and beyond. The event’s official Media Partners panel — now updated to include Geneva Times — brings together an unusually diverse mix of global, regional and specialist press: [eureflect.com]
- Al Jazeera, EU Reporter, EUReflect, Diplomat Magazine, Beltürk Haber and Wanderlust Magazine, Bruxelles Korner, for international and lifestyle coverage
- The Gulf Observer, The Europe Today, EU Briefs, London Post, EminSight and now Geneva Times for diplomatic reach
- Global Tourism Forum, Travel Tomorrow and Eurasia Focus for the tourism and cultural-heritage angle
- Qazaqstan TV, EminSight and KEMA rounding out the broadcast and Central Asian media presence
Furthermore, they were also the local Turkmen medias such as Business tm or Turkmenistan info.
This expanding network reflects the event’s ambition: to position the Akhal-Teke not merely as a competition, but as a platform for cultural diplomacy connecting Turkmenistan, the Netherlands and the wider international community.
More Than a Championship
Beyond the arena, the event carried real diplomatic weight. The visit of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave the championship « exceptional weight, » and included the Dutch-language presentation of his book The Horse: A Symbol of Faithfulness and Happiness, attended by Turkmen scientists, academics and diplomats, including Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium. The beauty crown ultimately went to Yandym, owned by French breeder Audrey Martinez of the CaratKoum stud farm — a result underlining how far the Akhal-Teke’s admirers now stretch beyond Central Asia.
With DNA-based breed certification, UNESCO’s 2023 inscription of Akhal-Teke breeding traditions on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list, and a growing international breeding network now headquartered in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan signaled at Kronenberg its intent to keep expanding scientific and cultural cooperation around the breed in the years ahead.
