Tack reference Tuesday, part three

Last weekend, my friend and fellow model horse hobbyist, Anne Veeneman–van der Weel, attended the 2026 Akhal Teke World Championship in the Netherlands.

Like any good tackmaker/performance shower, she spent a lot of time documenting the tack, both on the horses...

and in the village.

Her sharp eyes captured three very distinctive types of saddles: the older, traditional style saddles,

the newer, Western-influenced saddles...

and then there's this one.

To my eyes at least, this one looks distinctly Iberian.

All of the horses in these photos were taking part in a Decorated Horses competition. Per Anne, the winner was wearing an older style saddle. However, it's clear the rules for this division are pretty lax. If it fits, it sits. Just be sure there's a breastplate, multiple neck collars and a rug!

Thank you again, Anne, for taking these pictures and allowing me to share them here. I hope to see more tacked up Akhal Tekes in the model horse show ring!