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This is the opening of Turkmenistan's annual horse beauty pageant, a highly exclusive event celebrating the ancient and endangered Akhal-Teke breed.
The annual beauty pageant is directly presided over by the country's president, emphasizing how the endangered breed is treated as a high-level strategic priority.
The competition focuses heavily on the horses' traditional decorations and pure breeding, an art recently added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
The carpet motifs on the saddle mirror the national flag, representing the deep ties between the breed and Turkmen identity.
The ruling Berdymukhamedov dynasty has crafted a massive personality cult deeply intertwined with the horses.
The former president has even written books and penned a rap song dedicated to his favorite foals.
These desert-hardened animals are legendary for their performance in endurance riding and show jumping.
One state-owned horse even earned a spot in the Guinness Book of Records for the fastest 10-meter dash on its hind legs.
The breed is globally unique because of its fine, hollow-core hair that reflects light uniquely, making the horses literally glisten under the direct sunlight.
The "art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding" is recognized on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Today, the horses double as diplomatic tools, frequently gifted to visiting foreign heads of state.
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