Mongolia held the official opening ceremony for the first international World Horse Day at Khui Doloon Khudag. President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa presided over the event and delivered formal remarks. The United Nations adopted this celebration following an initiative launched by Mongolia in 2025.
During his address, Khurelsukh emphasized the horse’s central role throughout Mongolian history and civilization. He noted that Mongolia hosts over five million horses among more than 60 million worldwide. Consequently, the nation ranks fourth globally in total horse population and first per capita.
Furthermore, the president highlighted how Mongolian horses enabled historical empires to flourish across vast territories. He referenced Chinggis Khaan’s empire, which connected Eastern and Western cultures through military and trade networks. This legacy, he explained, remains deeply embedded within Mongolia’s national identity and state emblem.
The president also thanked countries that supported Mongolia’s push for World Horse Day recognition. According to Khurelsukh, this new observance will raise global awareness about horses’ economic and cultural significance. Additionally, it aims to strengthen international cooperation around equine research and heritage preservation efforts.
Notably, organizers scheduled World Horse Day alongside Mongolia’s National Naadam Festival, a historic cultural celebration. Naadam features horse racing prominently, a tradition rooted in centuries of military training practices. Therefore, this timing reinforced horse racing’s symbolic connection to Mongolian identity and resilience.
As part of the festivities, organizers launched the inaugural International Horse Racing Cup, named after the president. Fast horses competed for recognition, while riders showcased impressive skill and speed throughout the event. Meanwhile, ten thousand horsemen gathered from across Mongolia for a large ceremonial parade.
This procession aimed to display the nation’s equestrian heritage and historical achievements to global audiences. Looking ahead, Mongolia hopes World Horse Day will grow into a widely recognized annual observance. Ultimately, officials expect this celebration to strengthen appreciation for horses within cultural and economic contexts worldwide.
