The Akhal-Teke horse is an ancient 3,000 year old breed originating from Turmenistan.  Recent DNA research from the University of Kentucky suggests that they are the oldest domesticated light breed of horse in the world.  Slender, long legged equine remains have been found near the Caspian Sea that date back as far as 5,000 years. Their ancestors have been known by many names, Nisean, Turkoman, Turk, and Parthian, however, the word Akhal-Teke emerged from the KaraKum desert from the “Teke” tribe that lived near the “Akhal” oasis, thus they’re extraordinary name.   The horses were treasured as family and often slept in the tents of their owners.  Three thousand years of use as raiding and war horses created tremendous endurance and stamina as well as cat like reflexes.  When the Soviet Union invaded and took over the region, the horses were all but wiped from existence and it is this and the fact that the Teke tribesman kept their horses in secret that has robbed the Akhal-Teke of modern day prominence.  Gradually the value of the breed was realized and they were saved and bred as race horses.  Many Akhal-Teke races are still held in Turkmenistan and Russia today. 

The first official Akhal-Teke’s were brought to the United States in 1979 by Phil and Margo Case and were imported from Turkmenistan.  The country’s resistance to allowing any exportation of their treasured horses as also kept the “golden horses” from the modern stage.  There are an estimated 5,000 worldwide and about 500 purebreds in North America. Despite relatively low population numbers in comparison to other sport horse breeds, several Akhal-Teke’s have been successful in the upper levels of the equestrian world and have competed at Grand Prix level dressage, the Advanced division in Eventing and in the Tevis in endurance.