Phil and Margot Case, of Shenendoah Farms in Virginia, were the first Americans to import Akhal-Tekes to the U.S. in 1979. Two of these horses were a Peren Line stallion named SENETIR (Sektor x Altin), and an Arab Line mare, OLIVA. Both were purchased at a Moscow auction in September, 1978.
The mare OLIVA was a decendent of the famous Akhal-Teke dressage stallion, Absent. (Absent won the gold medal in Prix de Dressage at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and Individual bronze medal in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, ridden by Sergei Filatov... as well as Soviet Team Gold at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, ridden by Ivan Kalita).
With SENETIR and OLIVA, Phil and Margo started their breeding program, and in 1982 they founded the Akhal-Teke Association of America.
With SENETIR and OLIVA, Phil and Margo started their breeding program, and in 1982 they founded the Akhal-Teke Association of America.
Phil and Margo went on to produce many purebred Akhal-Tekes who competed to the upper levels of 3 day eventing, jumping, and dressage. Since that time, the Association has grown and so has the interest in the breed. The goals and purpose of this Association are to establish, maintain and operate a non-profit Association comprised of owners, breeders, and friends of the Akhal-Teke for the preservation, perpetuation, and promotion of the breed, and to provide educational activities regarding the Akhal-Teke in North America.
Every year, a 3 day Conference is hosted by one of the members of the Association and informative workshops, speaking/slideshow presentations, and demonstrations are held as well as an Akhal-Teke parade. The Conference is a chance for members to greet one another, since most are scattered throughout the U.S. and abroad, and to increase education and awareness about the Akhal-Teke. The Conference is open to members and non-members alike, and you don't have to own an Akhal-Teke to participate in the festivities.
