LANDSKROON STUD – THE HOME OF THE AKHAL-TEKE

Few horses carry the mystique of the Akhal-Teke. Bred for more than three thousand years by the nomadic Teke people of what is now Turkmenistan, these desert horses are known for a fine coat that can catch the light like metal, and for the deep, almost singular bond they form with one person. They are also among the rarest horses on earth, with fewer than 7000 remaining worldwide.

Until recently, South Africa had none. That changed when Landskroon’s owner, Tonya Ehlers, moved by the plight of Akhal-Tekes caught up in the war in Ukraine, set out to bring a handful to safety, and ended up building a breeding programme in the Cape alongside yard manager and rider Dominique Tardin. Today, Landskroon Akhal-Teke Stud is home to horses rescued from Ukraine and bought from Russia, and to Ragnar, the first Akhal-Teke foal born on South African soil. Here, Tonya and Dominique tell us how it began, what sets the breed apart, and what its future might look like here.

The story of Landskroon Stud

HQ: What first drew you to the Akhal-Teke breed? Were you particularly interested in the breed before acquiring any of the horses yourself?
TE: I’ve always been fascinated by the history and rarity of the Akhal-Teke. Owning one of those striking golden horses I’d seen in pictures was a long-held dream of mine. When I bought Landskroon, I hoped that one day I might have an Akhal-Teke of my own, but I never imagined I’d end up with so many. It has been a joy to watch them develop into truly special horses. And yes, among the various colours, I’m lucky enough to have two golden ones.

I’ve always felt a strong connection to horses, and when my children were a bit older, we all took up riding together. I bought a few horses, which came with us when we moved to Cape Town. At Pearl Valley, I met Dominique, who was managing the stables at the time. It soon became evident that the two of us had the same ideals as far as horses are concerned. Inspired by this passion, I purchased Landskroon, and we created a fully equipped equestrian centre, thus establishing Landskroon Equestrian and Landskroon Akhal-Teke Stud. This was a dream come true for both Dominique and myself. We share a deep love for horses in general and a strong commitment to their well-being.

I have not ridden for a while due to time constraints, and I leave all the managing, training and competing in Dominique’s competent hands. We often joke that I’m now a horse collector. All of the foals are born on my property in Val de Vie, and I take great pleasure in watching them grow and develop from birth and through weaning.

HQ: Your involvement with the breed began in a very unusual way, through a GoFundMe campaign to help horses in Ukraine. Can you tell us how that story unfolded?
TE: I was deeply aware of the impact the war in Ukraine was having on horses in the region, particularly on Akhal-Teke breeding farms. I learned that the USA Akhal-Teke Breed Society was raising funds to support the affected horses and I regularly contributed to their cause. Then one day, I had a different thought: rather than simply donating, why not try to help more directly? I decided to rescue a few myself and initially planned to purchase three from struggling breeders.

What began as a plan for three soon grew into seven. I rescued three from Ukraine and went on to purchase four from Russia. At the time, I didn’t really know what to look for, but to me each one was undeniably beautiful in their own way.

HQ: Importing horses from multiple countries must have been a complex process. What were some of the biggest logistical challenges you faced bringing Akhal-Tekes to South Africa?
TE: Purchasing the horses, especially those from Russia, came with significant logistical challenges due to the European embargo. No country was willing to accept cargo from Russia, so we had to find an alternative route and a country that would agree to receive the horses. Their journey was long and complicated, including a mandatory one-month residency before they could even enter quarantine in Europe.

Fortunately, the horses from Ukraine faced fewer complications. They were able to travel to Holland a month later to complete their one-month quarantine. In the end, all of the horses were able to travel to South Africa together.

While the Ukrainian horses were in quarantine, we decided to put one of the mares, Astrid, in foal. From start to finish, it took nearly five months for the horses to arrive safely in Cape Town. Nine months later, we welcomed our first foal, Ragnar.

HQ: You now have horses from Ukraine, Russia, and bloodlines connected to Germany. How important is genetic diversity when establishing a new breeding population?
TE: Genetic diversity is absolutely critical when you’re establishing a new breeding population; it’s one of the main factors that determines long-term health, performance, and sustainability. A diverse gene pool lowers the chance of inbreeding, which can lead to inherited defects, reduced fertility, weaker immune systems and overall poorer performance. Genetically varied horses are also typically more robust. They tend to handle environmental stress, disease, and changing conditions better than a narrow, inbred population.

HQ: The first Akhal-Teke foal born in South Africa is a milestone. What did that moment mean for you and for the future of the breed in this region?
TE: The moment was incredibly meaningful, both personally and for the breed as a whole.

On a personal level, it felt like the realisation of a long-term vision. Navigating the challenges of importing and breeding, and then finally seeing a healthy foal born on South African soil made all the effort feel worthwhile.

It also marked a real turning point for the future of the Akhal-Teke in this region. That first foal wasn’t just an individual success; it was proof that the breed can establish itself locally. It showed that we don’t have to rely solely on imports and that we can begin building a sustainable homegrown population adapted to our environment.

HQ: What are your long-term goals for the Akhal-Teke breeding programme at Landskroon?
TE: My long term vision for the Akhal-Teke breeding programme at Landskroon is to build something that is both true to the heritage of the breed and sustainable in a South African context. At the core, the goal is to establish a genetically diverse, high-quality foundation herd. That means carefully selecting and combining bloodlines to preserve the defining characteristics of the Akhal-Teke.

Beyond that, I want to focus on functional, versatile horses. The aim isn’t just to breed for appearance, but for performance, soundness, and temperament; horses that can excel in disciplines like endurance, dressage, jumping, eventing, or as reliable riding partners. I want to grow the breed locally. That includes making quality horses available to other breeders and riders and educating people about the Akhal-Teke and its unique qualities.

The breed

HQ: For readers who may not be familiar with the breed, how would you describe the Akhal-Teke in terms of temperament, athletic ability, and character?
TE: In terms of temperament, they are known for being highly intelligent, sensitive and deeply loyal. They tend to form a bond with one person in particular, almost like a partnership rather than a typical horse-rider relationship. Because of that sensitivity, they respond best to calm, consistent handling.

Athletically, the Akhal-Teke is incredibly versatile. They’re naturally efficient movers, with a light, ground-covering stride that makes them especially well-suited to endurance riding. At the same time, they have the elasticity and balance required for dressage, and the agility for jumping.

In terms of character, what really stands out is their presence. They have a certain elegance and pride often described as almost ‘regal’. They’re alert, aware of their surroundings and often quite expressive.

HQ: How well do the Akhal-Tekes adapt to South African conditions and climate?
TE: The Akhal-Tekes are also known as desert horses. This means they tolerate extreme heat and extreme cold very well. However, with the pink-skinned horses who also have blue eyes, we take precautionary measures when it comes to the elements. They are covered with a fly mask and fly sheet in summer, and in winter, they have their general winter blanket on, but still wear a fly mask. Akhal-Tekes don’t really grow a winter coat, which makes show preparation a breeze!

HQ: You have emphasised competing the horses to showcase their athleticism. In which disciplines do Akhal-Tekes typically excel?
TE: The Tekes we have are excelling in dressage, showing, and show jumping. It is apparent, based on the success at home, that they will be better with higher dressage movements once their bodies have matured. Those we selected for dressage also do very well in showing as they have beautiful conformation, colour and movement. We also have three young horses showjumping, one of which is in Pretoria with Shaun West.

HQ: If someone were considering owning an Akhal-Teke, what should they know about the breed before taking the plunge?
TE: Before purchasing an Akhal-Teke one needs to understand that they are to be with you for their whole life. Once you have decided to take on an Akhal-Teke and that horse chooses you, there is very little chance of it being a happy horse if it is passed around due to the deep bond they build with their owner. The Akhal-Tekes are low-maintenance horses; in a sense, their coats are wonderful to maintain, they don’t grow thick feathers, nor do they have any skin reaction tendencies to the environment. They are straightforward to feed and care for. Their routine is important to them, but they are accepting of change too. Be prepared for always being shown a mirror of yourself as a horsewoman/man and rider!

The future

HQ: With fewer than 7000 horses worldwide, what are the main challenges facing the breed today?
TE: There is limited awareness and demand. Compared to more established sporthorse breeds, the Akhal-Teke is relatively unknown. Lower demand can discourage breeders, limit investment and slow the growth of the population. The biggest challenge is to show riders that the breed can be highly competitive in most disciplines.

HQ: Where do you see the future of the Akhal-Teke breed globally, and what role could South Africa play in its preservation?
TE: The breed is continuously growing worldwide. Breeders throughout America and Europe have Akhal-Tekes successfully competing in various disciplines around the world. I, in fact, have a young Akhal-Teke based in Spain, training for the Young Horse Championships. We are hoping that he will qualify for the World Young Horse Championships in 2028. As far as I know, if we can achieve that, he will be the first Akhal-Teke to do so.

I truly believe there is a future for the development and preservation of the Akhal-Teke in South Africa. People are quite wary of something new, and the Akhal-Teke is something very new and ‘different’. However, the more we take them out and people see how truly special they are, the more interest we generate in them. We are busy growing our own Akhal-Teke Breed Society and hope to soon be in the same league as the many other Breed Societies in South Africa.

From a single act of rescue, Landskroon has grown into something larger: a foundation herd, a developing local breed society, and a small but real case that the Akhal-Teke can thrive far from the steppes that shaped it. With young horses already out competing in dressage, showing and showjumping, and a prospect in Spain aiming at the 2028 World Young Horse Championships, the stud’s ambitions reach well beyond the Cape and South Africa! Thank you Tonya and Dominique for all the work you do for this magnificent breed!