Turkmen leader orders beauty contests for horses

[Joanne98]

Source: Reuters

Once prized by Alexander the Great for their speed and stamina, Turkmenistan's thoroughbred horses are being groomed for a series of beauty contests, ordered by a presidential decree published Monday.

President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, who enjoys sweeping powers in this desert nation of 5 million and is known for his deft horsemanship, said national beauty contests for the ancient Akhal Teke breed should be held every April.

The best horses of the breed, distinguished by shimmering coats, long delicate necks and legs and popularly revered as "the wings of the Turkmen," will be chosen "to promote the glory of the heavenly racehorse worldwide," the decree said.

Special awards will be given to craftsmen for the best carpet featuring the horse, the best "holiday attire" for the breed, the best portrait and even sculpture.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/07/us-turkmenistan-horses-odd-idUSTRE7163W620110207

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Put this guy on the list of leaders that need to GO!

[stockholmer]

1. WikiLeaks cables: Turkmenistan president wanted yacht like Abramovich

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/02/wikileaks-cables-turkmenistan-president-yacht

"President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is "vain, suspicious, guarded, strict, very conservative", a "micro-manager" and "a practised liar", US diplomats say, in a stunningly unflattering portrait of Turkmenistan's head of state

In the diplomatic equivalent of a mauling, the US embassy gives a brutal assessment of the president's talents, and those of his ruling family. Berdymukhamedov became ruler of the oil-rich former Soviet nation – known for its megalomanic leaders – in 2006.

The cable, released by WikiLeaks but originally sent by Sylvia Reed Curran, the US's charge d'affaires in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's capital, fleshes out Berdymukhamedov's humble family background.

She says he is the only son in a family of eight children. She adds witheringly: "His father is a retired prison guard with the rank of colonel. The father, many in Turkmenistan think, is more intelligent than the son...................."

[Leithan]

2. That's what Sarah Youbetcha has in store for us!

Imagine it: Palin, Our Queen, hunting foxes on horseback. ;P

[larkrake]

10. no horse would have her-she would be always changing directions

[Wilms]

11. Well, the article did say...

"vain, suspicious, guarded, strict, very conservative", a "micro-manager" and "a practised liar"...

[LiberalEsto]

3. Will there be a swimsuit competition?

and a Miss Congeniality?

[florida08]

4. this guy has a fetish

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. I looked this breed up, out of curiosity.

This link is to someone who paints portraits of these beautiful horses, worth seeing, I did not want to risk any copyright issues by grabbing a screenshot:
http://www.bridgettempest.com/horses.html

Interestinly, that page states Turkmen raise ostriches also.

[Lars77]

6. If you think this is nuts, look up the last President

Turkmenbashi. What a total nut job.

I was in Turkmenistan in 2008. The capital city looks amazing, loads of shiny buildings, and at the independence square stands a golden statue on a huge pedestal. Its a huge golden statue of Turkmenbashi, rotating with the sun so the sun always shines on his face.

They also have the worlds largest free-standing flag pole there with a flag of stupid proportions.

It´s all a facade of course, the rest of the country is in dreadful shape. Still, the people are absolutely amazing genuinely happy to meet foreigners. I´ve never felt more welcome in a country anywhere.

They also have a crazy currency. 12.000 Manat is 1 USD, and i paid 300 manat for a bread.

[Robb]

8. Yup. Until another country's leader starts renaming months of the year after himself

...Niyazov keeps the heavyweight batshit crazy belt, even in his grave.

[MasonJar]

7. Good for him. He could come up with something much worse, as is

daily proved by leaders around the world, including our own.

[riderinthestorm]

9. While this guy is a world class jerk, breed shows are not typically problematic.

And the Akhal Teke is an ancient breed of which the Turkmens should be justifiably proud.

I see nothing wrong with breed shows. I've gone to many for horses and I'm actually pretty surprised to learn there isn't a breed show already for the Akhal Teke in it's home country.