KRONENBERG, Netherlands (Derya Soysal) The Netherlands is set to host an international celebration of the legendary Akhal-Teke horse from 4 to 6 September 2026, with the World Beauty Championship and Equestrian Sports Competition taking place at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in Kronenberg.
The three-day event is expected to bring together horse breeders, riders, researchers, artists and enthusiasts from around the world to showcase the beauty, sporting abilities and cultural heritage of the Akhal-Teke, one of the world’s most distinctive horse breeds.
The Akhal-Teke originated in present-day Turkmenistan and is renowned for its endurance, speed, intelligence and distinctive, often metallic-looking coat. Known as the “Heavenly Horse” and sometimes the “Golden Horse,” it holds a particularly important place in Turkmen culture and national identity.
Three days of competition and culture
The programme will begin on Friday, 4 September, with the opening 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 and discipline.
An international scientific and practical conference will also take place in Venray, bringing together academics, breeders and equestrian specialists to discuss the history, science and future of Akhal-Teke horse breeding.
The main championship programme is scheduled for Saturday, 5 September. Alongside the beauty competition for adult horses, the event will feature the selection of the overall World Champion Akhal-Teke Horse from the category winners.
Visitors will also be able to watch the Best Decorated Horse Competition, which highlights traditional Turkmen approaches to horse decoration. A show-jumping competition is scheduled for the afternoon, demonstrating the breed’s versatility beyond the beauty ring.
The day will conclude with an awards ceremony recognizing winners in beauty and equestrian sport, as well as artists whose work celebrates the horse. An evening gala is also planned, featuring performances connected with Turkmen culture and the arts.
The programme will close on Sunday, 6 September, with cultural performances and the closing of the exhibition.
A breed with deep cultural roots
The Akhal-Teke is widely regarded as one of the oldest horse breeds, with its history often traced back thousands of years. The modern name combines the name of the Akhal oasis with that of the Teke Turkmen tribe.
For centuries, Turkmen breeders selected horses for qualities including endurance, speed, agility and intelligence. The breed consequently became closely associated with the history and identity of the Turkmen people.
UNESCO has recognized the “Art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and traditions of horses’ decoration” as intangible cultural heritage, reflecting the importance of breeding practices and related traditions to Turkmen cultural life.UNESCO has recognized the “Art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and traditions of horses’ decoration” as intangible cultural heritage, reflecting the importance of breeding practices and related traditions to Turkmen cultural life.
Horses also occupy a prominent position in Turkmen national symbolism, with the Akhal-Teke featured on the country’s state emblem.
International showcase in the Netherlands
Organizers describe the championship as more than a sporting competition, presenting it as an international meeting point for equestrian sport, science, art and cultural heritage.
The event is scheduled to take place at Peelbergen Equestrian Centre, Travers 5, 5976 NJ Kronenberg, Netherlands. According to the information provided by the organizers, admission is free.
Registration, ticket and media-accreditation information is available through Peelbergen Equestrian Centre. The organizers list csi@peelbergen.eu and +31 (0) 6 38273834 for inquiries.
The three-day gathering will offer European audiences an opportunity to see the rare and highly distinctive Akhal-Teke breed while learning more about the centuries-old traditions surrounding its breeding and decoration.
Event: World Beauty Championship and Equestrian Sports Competition among the Heavenly Akhal-Teke Horses
Date: 4–6 September 2026
Venue: Peelbergen Equestrian Centre, Kronenberg, Netherlands
Admission: Free, according to organizers
