Tersk Stud is one of the places that every Arabian horse lover dreams to visit at least once. Situated in a picturesque valley surrounded by five Caucasian mountains, the Stud was founded 130 years ago by Count Sergei Stroganov. Tersk Stud keeps up the old traditions of Arabian breeding preserving precious straight Russian bloodlines and looks to the future including French blood in the breeding of modern Arabian show horses.
Tersk Stud is the largest Arabian horse farm not only in Russia but also in Europe. The Stud hosts three major events per year in May, August and October. The Tersk Stud Arabian horse shows, endurance competitions and famous Open House attracts thousands of visitors every summer.
Once being a place with restricted access, now Tersk Stud is open for everybody who loves Arabian horses and wants to learn and see more of famous Tersk Arabs. We cordially invite you to visit the oldest and largest stud for purebred Arabian horses in Russia and enjoy the beauty and hospitality of the Caucasus.
Visit Tersk Stud
Two specially designed programs will show off some of the stud’s fabulous horses and will also include a unique chance to see some of the stunning Caucasus mountains and the people that live at the intersection of Europe and Asia.
Guests will visit the highest mountain peak in the Caucasus, Mt Elbrus, an extinct volcano with its twin cones reaching skyward to 18,510 feet, (5,642meters). There will also be a chance to visit the Caucasian Mineral Waters region, much loved by Russians for its landscapes, mineral resources, waterfalls and pristine blue lakes while getting acquainted with the customs and traditions of Cossacks, tasting delicious local cuisine and enjoying breathtaking views of the lofty Caucasus Mountains.
Spring Tour
The spring tour lasts for six days. Arriving in Mineralnie Vody, guests will be taken to a 4 Star hotel not far from the Stud. The next day all will enjoy a guided sightseeing tour to the city of Pyatigorsk at the foot of Mount Mashuk, and in the afternoon visit Borustanskaya, an ethno-village preserving the cultures and traditions of Cossacks, about 30 km from Pyatigorsk. Local cuisine will be served for lunch. On the third day there will be a full-day trip to Mount Elbrus (5,642 m), with a traditional local lunch served in the valley Azau.
During the tour there will be presentations of Arabian and Thoroughbred horses and a visit to the famous Akhal-Teke horses of Stavropol Stud. In the afternoon transport will take guests to the Pyatigorsk racecourse where Tersk Stud breeders will give a presentation of the purebred Arabian horses of racing pedigree that are currently in training and that will participate in the races.
During the weekend is the time to enjoy the full ambiance of Tersk Stud, with a full-day VIP package including meals and drinks. Guests will see about 60 of the Stud’s Arabians including foals at their mother’s side in the presentation horse show Rising Star of Tersk. The next day will be a chance to attend the Russian Championship Endurance Competition and the famous Tersk Horse Sale.
Summer Tour
The summer tour lasts nine days. Guests arrive in Mineralnie Vody and will be taken to a 4 Star hotel not far from the Stud. The next day all will enjoy a guided sightseeing tour to the city of Pyatigorsk at the foot of Mountain Mashuk. In the afternoon there will be a traditional Caucasian lunch at Pyatigorsk racecourse as guests enjoy the races. The third day guests will see another region in Southern Russia, Samovolov, and visit one of the largest private stud farms breeding purebred Arabian and English Thoroughbred horses. After a presentation of some of the best stallions and broodmares, guests will be served a traditional Kuban lunch.
On day four there will be a presentation of the breeding stallions at Tersk Stud before a short trip to the green pastures where about 100 mares and foals graze under the supervision of mounted shepherds. After lunch in the hotel, guests will be brought back to Tersk to see a presentation of the best broodmares. On the fifth day there will be a full-day trip to the highest mountain of Europe, Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) with a traditional local lunch served in the valley Azau. On day six the bus will take guests to Stavropol Stud. This is an opportunity to see the best Akhal-Teke horses bred in Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin selected a stallion from this stud to present to the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, HM Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
After lunch guests head to the Pyatigorsk racecourse, where Tersk Stud breeders will give a presentation of the purebred Arabian horses of racing pedigree that are currently in training and participate in the races. On the seventh day of the Caucasian trip guests will have the opportunity to visit the incredible village Dombay (4,047m), situated within the Teberda Natural Reserve and famous for its spectacular mountains and waterfalls. The area is an attraction for its skiing and hiking trails and the natural beauty of the Caucasian Mountains. Marvel at the breath-taking scenery while having a delicious lunch in this picturesque valley. Days eight and nine will be spent at Tersk Stud. This is where guests will enjoy the Arabian horse show, the Russian National Championship (RASB) Star of Five Mountains which always has about 70 horses, including Straight Russian. The show will include incredible Open Day attractions such as Cossack stunt riding, local folklore and music. For this day there will be a show-jumping competition and a chance to win a purebred Arabian horse in the annual traditional lottery. Guests won’t miss a thing as lunch will be served in front of the show arena.
”I dreamed for many years to visit Tersk Stud, and when I went there at last, it was a very emotional moment! The mares and foals running out into the pasture to spend the day, what an incredibly beautiful sight! The tour was a perfect mix of horse presentations, sightseeing and Russian culture, including delicious food! We had a lot of fun! Now I dream of going there again,” said Evelyne Haustein-Frei from Switzerland.
“I have been in Tersk twice now and will definitely come back. Great people, great scenery, super beautiful horses, very good food and not least the good vodka. In all a super nice trip I can recommend to anyone,” writes Franziska Schustetter from Germany.