Arab – The White Horse of Victory
May 01, 2018 | 21:11 |314
The cobblestone pavement of Red Square embosoms echoes of various events. Many of them became the property of history, others have faded into the past, leaving no trace in the memory. But one is not forgotten, and does not give rest to this day. Sixty-five years have passed since the end of the Great Patriotic War, but if you listen, even today, through the hubbub of people's voices, you can hear how the silence hanging over the square is torn apart by the measured thud of boots on the pavement. These, marching in lockstep, were the winning soldiers who have won one of the most bloody and cruel battles in the history of mankind. These sounds enclose the knocking of falling colours of the regiments, divisions and armies of the defeated enemy, and the polyphony of the people's jubilation, and the cannonade of the festive, and such a long-awaited salute. But this unique symphony of the Victory would not have been completed without the ringing clatter of horses' hoofs on the cobbles. Many, of course, remember the world-shining footage of newsreels that captured the legendary Marshal G. K. Zhukov, who received the Victory Parade on Red Square on June 24th, 1945. Pictures of those years kept the admiring faces of people who witnessed this significant event, and hardly anyone remained indifferent, looking at how proudly, with calm masculine dignity, with impeccable bearing, and at the same time magnificence, the white horse jumps gracefully under the marshal, as though parades for it are a habitual matter. But very few people knew then that the name of the white stallion was Arab, that he was from Turkmenistan and that this amazing horse was one of the oldest and unsurpassed horses of the Ahal-Teke breed. Arab was born in 1930 on the horse farm of the collective farm named after Voroshilov near Ashgabat. Its genealogy originates from the famous line of Ag-Ishan, which among dozens of its other congeners was recognized as one of the greatest racehorses of the late XIX - early XX century. Its ancestor, in turn, was the golden-brane stallion Boynou, who is considered the ancestor of all modern lines of Ahal-Teke horses. When Arab reached the age of two, it was put on horse racing. By the age of five, it already had a rich sports biography - it won six times and in various equestrian competitions in Turkmenistan. Perhaps, Arab would continue its racing career, remaining in the memory of people a bright star in the sports horizon of Turkmenistan, but then its fate made a sharp turn, which eventually led the horse to Red Square. In 1935, the equestrian run of Ashgabat-Moscow has started. The road of more than 4 thousand kilometers was long and hard, therefore, the strongest and hardest horses from all the horse farms of Turkmenistan were selected to participate in a unique marathon. Arab was one of the best to be chosen. Together with sixteen other horses, he successfully overcame the hot sand dunes of the Karakum and Kizil-Kum deserts, waterless mountain ridges, the sun-scorched steppes, and, after almost three months of traveling, first prancing along the crowded and bustling streets of Moscow. Neither he nor his greyish relatives knew that they would not return home. Most of the selected Ahal-Teke horses were donated to horse farms near Moscow, Arab, as a gift, was handed to Marshal S. Budyonny. The commander handed the horse to the Moscow Cavalry School. Here the horse was given a new, army name - Kazbek. In Moscow, Arab-Kazbek received training and in 1938 became the winner of the First All-Union competitions in equestrian sport. Then there was the Victory Parade. For many years in the Soviet Union the ancient traditions of cavalry were sacredly respected, that's why all military parades were received on horseback, and the horses were selected and prepared with special care. They had to be distinguished by a straight back, a proud landing of the head, harmony of forms, perfection of lines, obedience to the rider, the horse must be majestic in order to emphasize the very greatness of the moment. It was also necessary for commanders-winners for the horse to be by all means white. The Arab met all these requirements. By the way, according to the documents, the color of Arab is officially called gray, not white.Vladimir ZAREMBO
The Victory Parade became the triumph of Arab. But the holidays end and again everyday life begins. Arab continued to participate in equestrian competitions. In 1947, the elderly horse proved that he did not intend to surrender to age and twice became a champion in the competition for the USSR Cup and the "Higher Class". The highest class the Ahal-Teke has demonstrated by having overcome the obstacle in height in 2 meters 12 centimeters. He excellently showed himself in distance runs and in the programs of officer triathlon.
In 1949, Arab, who turned 19 years old, was sent to Kazakhstan, to the Dzhambul horse farm. Now his task was to do what was assigned by nature - to continue his family. He became the progenitor of a new line, which in the register of the State Ahal-Teke tribal book is listed as the Arab Line. The Arab left an outstanding offspring, and above all the glorified Absent, whose mother was the Ahal-Teke mare Baccarat. Absent not only inherited the best qualities from his father, but also multiplied them. It was not for nothing that he was called magnificent, incomparable, outstanding. If Arab was the champion of the All-Union competitions, Absent under the saddle of the famous athlete-horseman S.I. Filatov was awarded the laurels of the Olympic champion. This title was won by Filatov at the Olympic Games in Rome in 1960. At the Olympics in Mexico City in 1968, Absent was recognized as the best sports horse in the world. Absent gave numerous offspring and ended his days in 1976 at the Lugovsk stud farm, where he now has a monument. This magnificent creature also became the inspirer of the movie by "Kazakhfilm" called "Absent, the son of Arab and Bakkara".
The performance of Arab on Red Square lasted only a few minutes, but this starry moment was enough for a white Ahal-Teke to become an integral symbol of the Great Victory holiday. However, the story of the appearance of Ahal-Teke residents on Red Square did not end there. A few decades later, the hooves of the Turkmen horse were again clapping on the pavement of the main square of Russia.
In 2010, the anniversary of the Great Victory was waited with special excitement and prepared for with special care. For the first time in the history of the celebrations on the Red Square, soldiers of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition - the United Kingdom, the United States and France – who jointly fought during the Second World War for a common peace and common independence had marched alongside our soldiers. The skill of pilots from the group "Russian Knights", leading their winged cars a meter apart, the variety of military equipment, the coordination of the game and the artistry of the military orchestra, struck the British guards in spectacular fur hats. But, perhaps, one of the brightest episodes and decoration of the holiday was the appearance on the Red Square of a column of servicemen of the battalion of the honor guard of the Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan, headed by a slightly dandy, a dazzlingly handsome Ahal-Teke horse. This amazing spectacle immediately attracted everyone's attention. The white horse appeared like a sunbeam, lighting up the ancient square with warm light. Enthusiastic smiles appeared on the faces of spectators, heads of states, gathered for the celebration. They applauded the column of Turkmen soldiers and the white Argamak.
The foal was born in the early May morning of 1999. It was born at the time when the azan sounded - the call of Muslims for prayer. It was a good sign. It is believed that all those born during prayer, will find happiness, luck and prosperity, because they will be protected by God. The foal was named Azan.
Ahal-Teke horse breed is distinguished by a wide variety of suits. This is a whole range of colors and shades - solo, brown, golden-brown, black, red, bay, dark bay, cherry-bay, gray, etc. As in children in the first months after birth, the color of hair changes from white to dark, and the eye from blue to brown, the horses also change in color over time. By the age of three, Azan had turned into a light gray magnificent stallion.
Like most stallions who reached the age of two, Azan began his journey from the lines of the racetrack. The very first competitions, in which he emerged victorious, already showed that the horse is awaited by a great sporting future. However, experienced horse breeders saw in it and other abilities inherent in nature. Stallions were included in the group of Turkmen equestrian games "Galkynysh" of the Ahal-Teke horse complex of the President of Turkmenistan. Azan was given a new name Gyrat. This was the name of the magical horse of Georogly, the hero of the folk epic.
The animal was not only beautiful, but also talented. The irreplaceable participant of all national holidays, Gyrat amazed spectators with elegance, a thin musical ear and choreographic talent.
The idea of exhibiting at the Victory Day in Moscow on an Ahal-Teke horse, similar to the famous Arab, belongs to the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The horse was to demonstrate not just the splendor of one of the oldest breeds of horses on our planet, but, most importantly, to become a messenger of peace and good. White is the color of hope. Hopes that the war should not happen again, but the beauty of the Ahal-Teke is meant to confirm that beauty and kindness can save the world.
Gyrat corresponded to Arab in everything. In addition, he was his descendant - they both led their ancestry from the stallion Boynou, recognized as the founder of all modern lines of Ahal-Teke horses.
Two or three weeks were spent to teach the horse to walk in line with the marching music, at the head of the ceremonial column.
Gyrat was delivered to Moscow on a transport plane IL-76, specially allocated for this purpose under the personal order of the president of the country. In Moscow, Gyrat was placed in the stable of the equestrian complex of the CSKA stadium. The host country has created all conditions for a four-legged guest from Turkmenistan to have everything needed. The first few days were spent adapting to the Moscow climate and new conditions for the stallion. Since the Ahal-Teke, unlike other breeds of horses, prefer to eat only the food they are accustomed to, and in the early days they do not touch unfamiliar food, the accompanying caretakers brought with them the food for Gyrat. His diet consisted of barley, alfalfa (hay), carrots grown on Turkmen soil, as well as eggs and sugar.
Training on Red Square were done at night. The sharp light of the projectors at first frightened Gyrat, but after a day or two he was accustomed to unusual lighting, as well as to outbreaks of cameras and spotlights of television cameras of journalists seeking to take advantage of the unique opportunity - when such an opportunity still presents itself! - to capture for the history the beautiful horse, proudly striding along the night capital.
Gyrat, accustomed to a different, more pliable soil under his feet, had to get used to the stone pavement for a few days. For the horse to not slip, and to not hurt his legs, special rubber horseshoes were made for him.
And now, at last, the solemn moment has come. Gyrat in a smart harness, headed, along with his rider, a ceremonial performance of the Turkmen soldiers who entered the pavement of Red Square. Worried on the eve of the holiday (and not he alone) the Ahal-Teke made his way irreproachably. It seemed that the horse was aware of the greatness of the moment, the fact that at that moment he represented his country, his fellow tribesmen - a noble tribe of Akal-Teke horses, so he walked proudly holding his head, the back a straight line, ears straight - they remained motionless, listening to the loud sounds of the orchestra, but not frightened of them. But he clearly heard the words of the rider, who quietly encouraged his friend: "Everything is good, dear, everything is fine. Go straight on, go quietly, do not be afraid." Gyrat nodded understandingly and walked along the main square of Russia easily and beautifully, like a white ship carrying freedom, dignity, peace and tranquility on board. He walked along the path, once laid by his legendary ancestor, Arab, leaving his footprints on the pages of the history of the celebration of the Great Victory.
When IL-76 landed at Ashgabat airport and Gyrat got off the plane, he first began to sniff the land, as if he greeted his homeland. He gently touched soft plush lips to the palms, stretched out to him, as if to say: "Hello, I'm back!".
