The breed is tough and resilient, having adapted to the harshness of Turkmenistan lands, where horses must live without much food or water. This has also made the horses good for sport. The breed is known for its endurance, as shown in 1935 when a group of Turkmen riders rode the from Ashgabat to Moscow in 84 days, including a three-day crossing of of desert without water. The Akhal-Teke is also known for its form and grace as a show jumper.