On the expanses of emerald hills interspersed with red tulips against the background of the Kopetdag Mountains in the Ak Bugday etrap of the Ahal velayat, one could observe the flight of “heavenly” horses. These were participants of a marathon long-distance race to mark the forthcoming National Holiday of the Turkmen Horse. The organiser of the race was the Türkmen Atlary State Association.

In the race, famous horses of the Ahalteke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan, the International Ahalteke Equestrian Complex, the National Equestrian Centre, the Ministry of Defence of Turkmenistan and the Frontier Guard Service participated. The marathon route consisted of two stages 30 kilometres each and passed through rough terrain.