One of my bucket list items is to see an Akhal Teke live, in the flesh. From the shimmery metallic glow to their coat to that saluki sleekness and the association with such a romantic region of the world -- in my hundred-stall stable I would have a few of them, just to look at. If you hear of one in the Northeast, let me know...
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Back in your old Indiana stomping grounds, Eron Owens of Greystone (formerly IRUS) competes a stallion. I think she might have a few of them. She's often at the Hoosier Horse Park. Check out her site here for contact info: http://www.irus-stables.com/
ReplyDeleteI don't know of any in your area but there is a superb breeding farm within driving (and ferry as they live on an island) distance from me in the Pacific Northwest. They have some LOVELY akhal-tekes... http://www.akhalteke.cc/ ... I am going to make the trek in the near future, but they are one of my dream breeds as well!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have some here in the NW; none of the ones I've seen in person are as exotic-looking as the ones I've seen photos of, including those here on your blog.
ReplyDeleteIf I showed that second photo to my husband, I guarantee you he would say it was Photoshopped. I've seen similar before, so I know Tekes really do look like that, but it's hard to believe! I'm with you - seeing/petting one is definitely on my horsey bucket list.
ReplyDeletei stayed at a b+b at an Akhal Teke stud once. it was winter and they were all shaggy and rugged up!
ReplyDeleteThat top one is absolutely to-die-for!
ReplyDeleteWe have an eventing family here in MN that breeds (or at least trains) Akhal Tekes for eventing. Gorgeous horses ... though I haven't ever seen any that are that freaky-flesh colored, as pictured above in that second photo. The one this family has are primarily bay and chestnut, if I'm not mistaken. I suppose in my 100-stall barn I'd have one or two myself as my current boys (both Appys) definitely don't have that shine to them, despite all the elbow grease I put in. Beautiful horses though, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend has traveled to Turkmenistan, where the Akhal Teke is the national horse. They're extremely revered and featured everywhere in public art; the breed is very tied up in the national identity of the country. He brought me back a book ostensibly on the history of the horse, but which ended up being half mythology, half Turkmen propaganda piece. Lovely pictures though.
ReplyDeleteI think the horse cultures of Central Asia and the Middle East are fascinating, and the breeds as well. Physically they're a great departure from the horses I own and care for, but I suspect they're just as appreciative of kind words and handling.
There are Tekes in MN, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, a few in New York, one in MA (maybe more), one in CT, several farms in Virginia and probably a few others scattered here and there. There is a partial list of breeders on www.akhal-teke.org, the website for the Akhal-Teke Association of America. Most people are happy to show off their horses, so contact a breeder in your area and go see them.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a few up close, and, man, are they exquisite jumpers!!!! But, for your purpose, here's one doing dressage at PSG level. I can't say I am at all a fan of the rider, but the horse looks game to try. Maybe with a different, lighter-seated rider, the horse would stretch up a little nicer. But, that's just my opinion. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VtOH5q1Dk8
Akhal-Teke is like the original thoroughbred. They are extremely tough and extremely elegant. An Akhal Teke was very successful in dressage in the Olympics for the Soviet Union.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/G0_AS_YBFks
In my youth, the A-T was my dream horse for some time, but I decided a Lusitano would be a more realistic dream horse. At least there were some in the USA!
I always have found this breed to be very exotic and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteA little searching led me to this guy: http://www.solaris-sport-horses.co.uk/perlino_akhal_teke_stallion.shtml (Kambarbay).
While he's in the UK, he's definitely a lovely looking stallion, and doesn't remind me much of the typical "Ewe Necked" photos you see of Akhal-Tekes.
I really want to meet one too! They have always been my favorite breed, though I don't know if they are a very realistic goal for the future
ReplyDeleteHi Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI have a breeding farm of Akhal-Tekes in Virginia, you are welcome to come and visit anytime to see them in the flesh.
They had two stallions at the Hoosier Horse Fair this year.
ReplyDelete