How I Joined the Accelerated Breeding Program & Travelled to Kyrgyzstan to Meet the Chaar Horses
In May 2023, I became a supporter of the Chaar Accelerated Breeding Program. Before joining in, I didn’t know anything about the Chaar horse, or horse breeding, being quite new to horse riding and the equine world myself. One evening in late April, as I looked for pictures of Appaloosa horses online, I came across an article about a man from Kyrgyzstan, Munarbek Kuldanbaev, who was breeding a special breed of Kyrgyz spotted horses, looking like the Appaloosa. This was the Chaar breed, and the article explained that Kuldanbaev was researching the breed’s history aided by an international team of researchers, intent on discovering whether the Chaar might be related to the Appaloosa breed found in America. The article also mentioned a documentary, ‘True Appaloosa’, directed by Conor Woodman and featuring Munarbek, his horses, and the incredible adventure of an elderly American woman named Scott Engstrom, who was also looking to discover the Appaloosa breed’s real roots. I found the documentary, watched it, and was astonished by the beauty of the Chaar horse. I felt a strong urge to reach out to Munarbek. I wanted to be part of the team.
I then became a member of the association and a monthly donor. In September 2023, I had the opportunity to travel to Kyrgyzstan and visit Munarbek and his horses. Not only that – I got the chance to ride them, too! Between September 1-4, I took a horse trail camping trip on the Suusamyr mountains and valley around Toktogul. It was an unforgettable experience. We climbed up to 3400 metres on the back of unbelievably strong horses. For about 6 hours every day, we travelled across this stunning mountain range, trusting the horses with our lives. Despite my little horse riding experience, riding a Chaar horse felt very different from riding other breeds (I had only ridden Arab horses before).
Alongside the Chaar’s strength and his dexterity on extremely steep and rocky mountain passes, I felt a strong connection to the horse several times during the trip. I often felt as if the Chaar could really ‘hear’ or ‘read’ my intentions. While I am aware that good horsemanship is based upon excellent communication and synchronicity between the horse and the rider, I had never experienced it to such an extent. It was really a pleasure to ride Jamgyr, and I felt a little sad when I parted from him, at the end of our trip. For a few days after the trip, I kept feeling his presence, missing his company. The horses we rode were all extremely intelligent, perceptive and, most importantly, healthy and happy. They were excellent travelling companions.
During the trip, we visited the pastures where they graze during the summer, and we could see how happy they were. I felt very proud to be able to support the program. I became a donor before meeting Munarbek in person, and I trusted him and believed in his vision. I am even more excited to be part of the team after meeting him and his horses, and Talant, our guide on the mountain paths and Munarbek’s close collaborator. What was obvious to me was Munarbek and his team of collaborator’s great care for, and devotion to, the Chaar, the herd’s well-being and happiness. I was miles and miles away from home, without network coverage, camping at 3200 metres, and yet I felt connected to everything around me in a very deep way. Most importantly, I felt the connection to the Chaar, who had been able to take me so far, and so high.
Sponsoring this program will give you access to a wonderful, little known, equine world, the Chaar’s world, and experience a unique journey in the company of a strong, spiritually powerful breed, as well as experience the Kyrgyz nomad way of life and the unmatched beauty of Kyrgyzstan’s mountains and nature. I firmly believe that the program, already very successful, will go very far, as far and as high as a Chaar horse can take you. I am a rider with only little experience, but I always felt safe with Jamgyr. I trusted him in the same way I believe in this breeding program, and joining it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
- Article by Federica Nardella, member of the Accelerated Breeding Program. federicanardella@gmail.com
