KaraKum Stud Blog | How are the Tekes best presented

Monday 3rd, October 2005

How are the Tekes best presented 10/03/2005 05:25 PM

do we have a showing culture for Tekes. The Tekes do have very dry and refined faces and it is sometimes difficult to find tack that doesn't look too heavy when you want to picture your horse from the side in an open position.
I remember a few years ago when we first saw the cut manes in Russia, it was really cool and showed also the beautiful necks and the zatylok and enhance the dryness of the Teke. We went home and cut the mane on our horses too. That is a very unique show feature of the Tekes.
The Arabian halters that have been developed for the refined and dry heads of the Arabian horses have been used lately in the Russian breed shows. The halters are really good for Tekes as well but they are very connected with the show Arabians with greasy faces, rolling eyes and nostrils that look like big black holes, a showing culture that does not fully fit the more noble and aristocratic Teke.
20 years ago I wouldn't have thought I would ever use an Arabian show halter on one of my horses but I actually bought one and tried it out and they are very slim and enhance the beauty of the Teke face.
The in-hand showing in Russia has also developed more into the free gaits of the Arabian handling instead of the traditional warmblood showing where you want the horse to show the gaits more than itself. On the other hand, the warmblood shows have oriented towards the Arabian shows more and more too, I have seen grease as well as lifted tails in the show ring. That wouldn't have been accepted before.
I can consider to show the Tekes in Arabian halters (without bling bling or tassles attached ) with cut mane but without grease and makeup. I think every breed has to work out their own show culture that show the breed from their best side without ridiculing it and make it into something that it isn't. It will be very interesting to see how the breed will be presented in the future. Maybe we can figure out more unique and cool way to show the Tekes.
When it comes to pictures we try to capture the mild but cool look of the Akhal-Tekes that you can see in earlier paintings and photos, often the head is carried naturally high, the horse is in a relaxed position with the look of self confidence and security, a friend you can trust in war and in peace that calmly studies the world from above.
I think it is very disturbing to see the Tekes photographed like Arabians, they do not look their best that way and it is not traditional for the Tekes.

Comments :

1. Leonid10/04/2005 01:39:12
Homepage: http://www.shael-teke.ru

You know I created three years ago my own show at Equiros exebition "Breeder's cup "Shael", wich support most of others breeders. And I put some very important expierance.
1. Judges: Ryabova - I trust to her opinion very much, undependently from our interrelations;
A. Shtorkh - fotoartist wich made beautifullist pictures of akhalteke horses during forty years. His oppinion for us is important.
A. Glukharyov - artist, wich paint akhalteke horses twenty years. His painting for me is reference point for breeding.
And some free breeders wich have service with breed not less then ten years and wich produced even one regional champion.
2. Culture of show.
2.1. Participate in the show must be requiring payment. This sum must to add to awards.
At the beginning must be preliminary estimate, where judges determ final groupes. The level of choice determ college of judges (I think not more then 20 horses in one nomination).
2.2. I suggest such nominations:
- two years old filly;
- two years old coalts;
- open for mares (two years old conclude) without limitation in age and titlies;
- open for stallion (two years old conclude) without limitation in age and titlies;
- absolut (four horses by two finalists of to last nominations go to ring together).
3. Order of rings.
3.1. Horses wich were choiced must go to ring alone with one groom and simple ring bridle. Horses must have cut manes by zero. Groom must place horse in stand at attention, then to set at liberty. For each horse not more then 5 min.
3.2. Judges must judge independently and must value open for audience. (like figure skating). At result we put ordinance of horses.
Further (like hockey NHL) first goes to ring with last for compare, second with next to last and so on. Then quorter final, half final and final. Advantage in choice of pares has best in ordinance. Perhapse to do comforting compares;
4. General. We must remember that we do it not only for ourself, but for our audience. That must be SHOW, but not breeder's party only.

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