The 15th International Conference of the EAHAE International Association for Horse Assisted Education in Almaty was more than a gathering. It was a visible sign that the HorseDream idea had become truly global.
Kazakhstan was not just a geographic choice — it symbolized expansion beyond Western Europe into Central Asia. The setting at Chamberlain Country Club created a powerful frame: wide landscapes, strong horses, and a culture that naturally understands the relationship between humans and horses.
Kazakhstan was not just a geographic choice — it symbolized expansion beyond Western Europe into Central Asia. The setting at Chamberlain Country Club created a powerful frame: wide landscapes, strong horses, and a culture that naturally understands the relationship between humans and horses.
1️⃣ Hosting as Responsibility and Recognition
Marina Bukanova: Kazakhstan Steps into the Global Circle
Marina Bukanova’s words reflect both pride and responsibility. Hosting an international EAHAE conference means stepping onto a global stage — not as a follower, but as a contributor.
Her emphasis on:
When she speaks of “stars in the field” sharing their experience, it highlights an important cultural shift. Expertise in EAHAE is not hierarchical prestige — it is shared capital.
For Kazakhstan, this conference meant visibility. For EAHAE, it meant expansion of cultural horizons.
Marina Bukanova’s words reflect both pride and responsibility. Hosting an international EAHAE conference means stepping onto a global stage — not as a follower, but as a contributor.
Her emphasis on:
- knowledge exchange
- supporting new trainers
- sharing experience across borders
When she speaks of “stars in the field” sharing their experience, it highlights an important cultural shift. Expertise in EAHAE is not hierarchical prestige — it is shared capital.
For Kazakhstan, this conference meant visibility. For EAHAE, it meant expansion of cultural horizons.
2️⃣ Development and Next Level
Gerhard Jes Krebs: Growth as a Living Process
When Gerhard Jes Krebs speaks about “climbing to the next level,” it reflects a recurring theme in HorseDream’s history: evolution.
The conference was not framed as celebration, but as development.
Not as preservation, but as progression.
His focus on:
Internal: trainers deepen their competence.
External: companies are invited to engage with this work.
This dual focus — inner development and market relevance — has always characterized the HorseDream/EAHAE model.
When Gerhard Jes Krebs speaks about “climbing to the next level,” it reflects a recurring theme in HorseDream’s history: evolution.
The conference was not framed as celebration, but as development.
Not as preservation, but as progression.
His focus on:
- atmosphere
- discussions
- visible personal growth
- companies taking the chance
Internal: trainers deepen their competence.
External: companies are invited to engage with this work.
This dual focus — inner development and market relevance — has always characterized the HorseDream/EAHAE model.
3️⃣ Diversity Without Division
David Harris: From Many Nations to One Family
David Harris articulates perhaps the most strategic insight of the conference: diversity integrated through common purpose.
His statement that it “doesn’t feel like many nationalities, but like one big family” is not romantic language. It describes a structural truth of horse-assisted education:
When people stand with a horse, cultural differences lose dominance.
The horse does not respond to nationality.
It responds to presence, clarity and congruence.
Almaty 2019 demonstrated that diversity is not a challenge when purpose is shared. It becomes strength.
David Harris articulates perhaps the most strategic insight of the conference: diversity integrated through common purpose.
His statement that it “doesn’t feel like many nationalities, but like one big family” is not romantic language. It describes a structural truth of horse-assisted education:
When people stand with a horse, cultural differences lose dominance.
The horse does not respond to nationality.
It responds to presence, clarity and congruence.
Almaty 2019 demonstrated that diversity is not a challenge when purpose is shared. It becomes strength.
4️⃣ The Inner Dimension
New Members: Tools and Transformation
The voices of Alyona Linnikova and Zaryana Portnenko bring the most important layer: inner experience.
Their reflections move beyond methodology into perception:
The horse becomes a mirror for inner alignment.
What is striking is Zaryana’s realization:
“Any horse, every horse, can give so much to every person.”
This is democratizing insight.
It is not about special horses.
It is about awareness.
The conference did not merely provide techniques.
It provided a shift in perception.
The voices of Alyona Linnikova and Zaryana Portnenko bring the most important layer: inner experience.
Their reflections move beyond methodology into perception:
- awakening inside
- widening possibilities
- subtle sensitivity
- perception “almost to a whisper”
The horse becomes a mirror for inner alignment.
What is striking is Zaryana’s realization:
“Any horse, every horse, can give so much to every person.”
This is democratizing insight.
It is not about special horses.
It is about awareness.
The conference did not merely provide techniques.
It provided a shift in perception.
5️⃣ What Almaty 2019 Represented in the Larger EAHAE Journey
Looking at the broader development of HorseDream and EAHAE:
It showed that the model works across cultures.
And importantly, it showed something else:
The strength of EAHAE does not lie in standardized exercises alone.
It lies in shared values:
- 1990s: Foundation and methodology
- 2000s: European consolidation
- 2010s: International expansion
- 2019: Cultural integration in Central Asia
It showed that the model works across cultures.
And importantly, it showed something else:
The strength of EAHAE does not lie in standardized exercises alone.
It lies in shared values:
- respect for the horse
- clarity in leadership
- inner congruence
- community support
6️⃣ Conclusion: Expansion with Depth
The 2019 Almaty conference combined three dimensions:
It was not promotional.
It was mature.
A global community meeting in Central Asia, discovering that beyond nationality and language, the horse creates a common field.
And perhaps that is the deeper message of Almaty 2019:
When the purpose is clear, diversity integrates naturally.
When the horse is present, development becomes personal.
When the community gathers, growth becomes collective.
- Geographic expansion
- Organizational development
- Inner transformation
It was not promotional.
It was mature.
A global community meeting in Central Asia, discovering that beyond nationality and language, the horse creates a common field.
And perhaps that is the deeper message of Almaty 2019:
When the purpose is clear, diversity integrates naturally.
When the horse is present, development becomes personal.
When the community gathers, growth becomes collective.