www.sairamtour.com Since olden times Central Asia has been famous for its horses. For ages, breeding of these magnificent animals – man’s staunch helpmate both in labour and in journey – has been the common occupation of the Uzbeks.
There is a strong presumption that it was from this land that noble Argamak strain originated. Thoroughbred stallions of most of known breeds inherited the best qualities of this strain. By the way, the stud breeding famous Karabair breed is also located in Uzbekistan, in Jizzak region.
Today, guests from all over the world come to Uzbekistan to admire the Uzbek horse thoroughbreds of well-known strains, to watch breathtaking local horse-shows, to experience the unmatched joy of horseback riding.
Already in the first Chinese chronicles dating 2nd century B. C., it was mentioned that Chinese merchants, who delivered luxury fabrics, jade and chinaware to the West along the Great Silk Road, brought back military horses for Chinese army from the State of Davan, which was situated in Feghana valley surrounded by the Tien-Shan mountains.
As time goes by, our needs and capabilities change; traveling by car or plane one can easily cover the distances between cities and countries, but as before people remain devoted to horses and horsemanship. It seems that it is by the nature itself that horse is destined to carry the horseman on its back. There were numerous cases when horse’s sturdiness and devotion to the rider rescued the rider’s life.
In Uzbekistan during public holidays brave riders, palvans, with real excitement take part in the traditional horse-games named "ulak" – goat-tearing, "kiz quvdi" – catching up with a girl, the games in which a rider should demonstrate his strength, adroitness, high level of horsemanship. Over and over again Uzbek sportsmen won the Olympic Games in Munich, Montreal, Moscow and Seoul in classic types of equestrian sport – in show jumping and dressage.
Those who at least once felt gentle touch of horse’s soft lips grasping a piece of bread from their palm and heard greeting neigh of this beautiful animal, who experienced an unforgettable feeling of flying on the horse’s back, will feel eternal love for this clever and wonderful creature and will long for saddling up a horse.
Some eighty kilometers off Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, there rise snow peaks of the Western Tien-Shan. This wide mountainous area that spread from majestic 7000-metre high mountains, such as Peak Pobedy, and Khan Tengry on the east, to a fertile Tashkent oasis on the west, has been known to travelers surmounting the dangerous passages of the Great Silk Road since the old times. Here, at the junction of three wild mountain rivers, lies Ugham-Chatkal National Wild Park whose rich flora and fauna attracts many tourists from all over the world. In the picturesque valley situated at the height of 1600 meters above sea level, at the footsteps of Bolshoy and Maliy Chimghan, there was built "Chimghan Oromghohi" resort complex famous among the lovers of riding. Several cottages and many-storeyed comfortable hotels with bars and restaurants welcome the guests the whole year round.
In the stables of "Chimghan Oromghohi" there are horses of local breeds, such as kurama and karabair, as well as akhal-teke breed and sturdy half-breds – the result of interbreeding of akhal-teke and karabair breeds with the genuine thoroughbred English horse. Here one can hire a horse and a comfortable saddle and make riding along the picturesque places of the resort area. Experienced instructors will teach the beginners to sit right in a saddle and to ride a horse, while qualified riders can improve their own skills.
Romance of horse riding attracts people of any age and temperament, and unique climatic conditions make horse riding possible all the year round. | 
