It’s been a while since equine enthusiast Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, president of the isolated central Asian country Turkmenistan, has popped up in horse-related news, but that all changed earlier this week.
A report on theguardian.com states that the country held its ‘Day of the Horse’ celebrations this past Sunday (April 26) and that President Berdimuhamedov was bestowed with the honour of being named the “People’s Horse Breeder.”
The article has quoted President Berdimuhamedov as saying that his country “is moving forward with the speed of an Akhal-Teke stallion” and that he is calling on all of the country’s residents “to move forward and only forward.”
It was reported that the crowd – that was described in the article as ‘cheering’ – responded with chants of “Glory to the Protector,” which is a popular title for the leader.
President Berdimuhamedov made news in 2011 when he ordered a racehorse beauty pageant. The next year saw government staff forced to attend races – one of those race days saw President Berdimuhamedov mount the beauty contest winner.
International media outlets reported on President Berdimuhamedov in 2013 after he was involved in a scary racing accident at one of his country’s racetracks. He made the news later that year, but for less sensational reasons – he had ordered the creation of a monument to honour the horse of one of the Asian state’s past leaders.
(With files from theguardian.com)