Chaar Ranch: An Equestrian, Scientific, and Cultural Center
Donation protected
We, of the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association, share a mission to help safeguard, enhance and promote the indigenous Chaar horse of Central Asia and the nomadic culture that accompanies it.
Until now, we have been working on an old farm, whose limited capacity can no longer meet the growing needs of our herd. There are not enough enclosures for proper feeding, prevention and veterinary care. Today, it is clear that we need a new base that matches the scale of our vision and meets modern standards. To grow towards this greater mission, we plan to build a new equestrian, scientific, and cultural center: the Chaar Ranch ecolodge. It is a new space where our mission will continue.
The future “Ranch Chaar” center will be equipped with spacious enclosures for the increasing number of horses and will include its own laboratory, where animals can receive timely and professional care. But Ranch Chaar will be more than just a breeding facility. It will be a source of inspiration for all who love horses and equestrian art. We will welcome photographers, artists, musicians, and creative people from around the world whose talents can help spread the story of the unique Chaar horse and support our mission.
We place special emphasis on working with young people. At the Ranch, we will host workshops on humane treatment of animals, as well as training in horseball — a sport we have been developing for years. Our players proudly represented Kyrgyzstan at the World Championships in France and Argentina, demonstrating great skill and a strong desire to grow.
“Ranch Chaar” will become a place where the past meets the future — where the horse once again brings together people from different countries, cultures, and religions. It will be a space where we learn to hear nature, rediscover lost knowledge hidden deep in history, and restore a harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world.
This is not just a project — it is a living dream, with the ancient and noble Char horse at its heart.
⭐Our Vision
Chaar Ranch will be an equestrian facility and eco-lodge, built in the heart of the naturally beautiful and biodiverse Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, where the harmonious coexistence of humans, horses, and nature is exemplified. It will be more than a horse farm. It will be a valuable international hub for scientific, cultural, artistic, tradition, and sport exchanges, and it will serve as an operation center for revitalizing the Chaar horse breed from the brink of extinction.
The Chaar horse breed, also called the Chaar Appaloosa, is a genetically distinct heritage breed. The breed carries not only an original reservoir of the Leopard Complex gene mutation known simply as ‘Lp’, but also the ‘DMRT3’ or Gait Keeper gene responsible for lateral gaits not typically observed in Asian horse populations. For centuries, these horses have played an important role in Kyrgyz history, nomadic farming, culture, folklore, and ecosystem health. As such, the Chaar horse revival project reaches beyond rare breed protection to ensure the preservation of Central Asian heritage, traditional agricultural practices, and global biodiversity.
Chaar Ranch will expand the project’s reach to invite guests from around the world to engage in educational programs, cultural and historical appreciation, and community initiatives. It will be where the past meets the future to build a vibrant and sustainable tomorrow. Its successful realization depends on the support of partners who share our vision. We invite like-minded individuals, brands, investors, and organizations to join us in forming a truly unique place for people to connect together, with nature, and with the Chaar horse.
⭐Eco-Lodge: A Model for a Sustainable Future
A key part of Chaar Ranch is an eco-lodge, designed to be built from local, natural materials such as wood, clay, and straw. Our goal is not just to construct a building, but to create a space that blends seamlessly into the natural landscape, supports the local ecosystem, and becomes a hub for those who share our values. The lodge will host scientists, artists, photographers, athletes, tourists, and anyone eager to learn more about the Chaar horse and contribute to its development. This will be a place where we educate people on humane horse care, conduct lectures and seminars, host international trips, and organize cultural events.
The location for the eco-lodge is nestled in the Jalal-Abad region in the village of Bala-Chychkan, with seemingly endless wild spaces and high mountain pastures to enjoy right outside. Guests can hike or horseback year-round, plan a mountain picnic or overnight camp, and, in warmer months, swim or kayak in the Toktogul Reservoir nearby. With such a great diversity of native wildlife living in the area, this makes Chaar Ranch an ideal place for nature lovers and ecological study.
⭐Chaar Horses – A Living Heritage of Central Asia
The Chaar horse breed, also called the Chaar Appaloosa, is a genetically distinct heritage breed. The breed carries not only an original reservoir of the Leopard Complex gene mutation known simply as ‘Lp’, but also the ‘DMRT3’ or Gait Keeper gene responsible for lateral gaits not typically observed in Asian horse populations. For centuries, these horses have played an important role in Kyrgyz history, nomadic farming, culture, folklore, and ecosystem health. As such, the Chaar horse revival project reaches beyond rare breed protection to ensure the preservation of Central Asian heritage, traditional agricultural practices, and global biodiversity.
Thanks to the Chaar Horse Accelerated Breeding Program, the Chaar horse population is steadily growing. Since the program’s launch in 2021, we have increased the number of horses from 20 to 60, and by 2026, we aim to reach 100. However, our mission goes beyond numbers—we are committed to preserving the unique genetic heritage and exceptional qualities of the Chaar horse. To achieve this, we collaborate with Texas A&M University and international experts. At Chaar Ranch, there will be a veterinary laboratory for managing horse health, vaccinations, and breeding.
⭐Sport, Culture, and Science – Shaping the Future of Chaar
Chaar Ranch will not only serve as a breeding and conservation center but also as a hub for equestrian sports. We are proud to have introduced Kyrgyzstan to the global stage in horseball. In 2022, our national team competed for the first time in the Horseball World Cup in France, and in 2025, they will represent the country again in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Beyond training athletes, we aim to showcase the Chaar horse as the ideal equine partner for competitive sports.
Additionally, Chaar Ranch will be a place for international gatherings, uniting people from different cultures and nations through their shared love of horses. Throughout history, horses have connected civilizations, fostering the exchange of knowledge, traditions, and friendships.
⭐Our Creative Model
The Chaar Ranch model will fill a unique niche in the global market, offering experiences in ecotourism, equestrian tourism, cultural immersion, agribusiness education, art and photography, horseball, and more all at one location. Guests to the eco-lodge will be able to discover the rich history and culture of Kyrgyzstan while learning about its diverse ecologies and exploring its wild landscape on foot or horseback. Chaar Ranch will become the center for Chaar horse breeding and conservation, while acting as an educational hub for horse care and sustainability at the intersection of humans, horses, and the environment. This type of multi-faceted facility, surrounded by vast open nature spaces, will lend itself as a treasured escape and an inspiring place to create.
⭐Competitive Opportunities
The Chaar Ranch blueprints include 10 guestrooms with the capacity to host up to 25 people in busy seasons or for group stays, with breakfast and dinner included. The lodge plan includes a commons lounge for guests to interact or relax indoors, a kitchen and dining hall where local foods can be experienced, and a computer lab for guests to work, write, or research. It will be a comparable space to many university satellite campuses with comfortable amenities, at an accessible price.
Outside the ranch will have a number of horse paddocks to house and manage Chaar riding and breeding program horses. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the native sacred spotted horses, learn about their importance, and lease riding horses for an eco-friendly way to access the surrounding natural landscapes. The additional paddocks will also allow for better veterinary care and sorting of horses to improve overall management and success of the Chaar revitalization project.
A professional horseball field will be set up near the eco-lodge for the practice of the world-ranking Kyrgyz horseball team and the use of guests who wish to learn the sport. The sport is building a cultural bridge between the leagues of Kyrgyzstan and France, and it is the first modern discipline in which the Chaar horse’s natural agility and stamina is being promoted.
Experiences and educational opportunities offered at Chaar Ranch will be diverse and distinct to attract a wide range of audiences. Programs will include topics such as ecology, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, history, Kyrgyz culture and traditions, photography, visual arts, equine husbandry, dairy production, horseball, and of course the Chaar horse. There will also be an opportunity to learn about Kyrgyz traditional wool and felt art making, a special cultural skill usually passed generation to generation and recognized by UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list–further supporting the preservation of Central Asian heritage.
Visitors can choose to book private stays at the ranch, join a group experience or expedition, attend special topic seminars, or participate in special events. The ranch also will invite educators and researchers to collaborate on programs to host for truly unique experiences. Programs will scale and grow over the years, with the best and most successful to become established offerings.
All of these offerings should appeal to and attract visitors from around the world from an array of backgrounds and interests.
⭐What We Need
We are seeking an initial investment of €250,000 or approximately $284,000 to pay for the construction of the Chaar Ranch eco-lodge and its horse paddocks. This investment will lay the foundation for future growth and development of the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association and Chaar Ranch projects.
Once construction is complete, the facility can immediately host visitors and begin to launch the first of its planned educational and experiential programs. The Chaar revitalization project will also be able to more safely check herd health, sort horses for strategic breeding plans, and house more horses to train for guest use.
With this investment, we anticipate achieving:
- Chaar Ranch launch by December of 2025
- Projected revenue of $50,000 within the first year of operation
- The ability to host up to 8,400 guests a year
⭐Expected Growth
Chaar Ranch is projected to earn a net income of at least $50,000 a year. Earnings will support the growth of amenities and offerings at the eco-lodge, and will aid the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association’s Chaar revitalization project.
From only hosting visitors we will earn up to $30,000 per year. The calculation is as follow:
6 visitors approx x 365 days = 2190 person
2190 x $40 = $87,600 gross revenue
$87,600 x 35% = $30,660 net profit
The remaining earnings will come from organising riding, cultural, education and sport (primarily horseball) tour programs, as well as renting out a space for seminars, conferences and cultural events.
Total Projected Annual Earnings $50,000
We will work closely with internationally popular equine bloggers, influencers, and equine artists by offering them free stays at our ranch and full contact with our chaar horses for their inspiration. We believe the Chaar horses and surrounding natural spaces will inspire creatives to capture the beauty of Kyrgyzstan and the Chaar horses in their content and artwork. This will help us reach a wider audience and attract more visitors over time. We expect to see 10-20% growth in visitors each year within the first 5 years.
We will hire more people to work with the horses and host visitors at Chaar Ranch. We currently plan to hire up to 9 people to fulfill these roles: 3 groom, 1 veterinarian, 1 accountant, 1 gardener, 3 hostesses.
We also plan to obtain a high speed internet to provide a working space for digital nomads.
⭐Become a supporter and earn benefits!
To achieve our goal and show our appreciation for funding assistance in any amount, we would like to offer exclusive benefits to our patrons according to the level of support. These tiered benefits are offered only to supporters of and during our Chaar Ranch Ecolodge project fundraising campaign. All funds go directly to the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association for the Chaar Ranch project.
For each support tier, please be sure to use a good email address when you submit your donation so that the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association may contact you for redeeming your benefits.
$10+
- You’ll gain access to a patron-only community chat on WhatsApp where you can interact with an international group of supporters, receive Chaar Ranch and Chaar breeding project updates, and receive announcements about new experiences and offerings.
$100+
- You’ll gain access to a patron-only community chat on WhatsApp where you can interact with an international group of supporters, receive Chaar Ranch and Chaar breeding project updates, and receive announcements about new experiences and offerings.
- You will be gifted 1 bandana with Chaar printed art by Hermès scarf designer Alice Shirley. The bandana is 65% recycled polyester with UPF50+ protection.
$200+
- You’ll gain access to a patron-only community chat on WhatsApp where you can interact with an international group of supporters, receive Chaar Ranch and Chaar breeding project updates, and receive announcements about new experiences and offerings.
- You will be gifted 1 t-shirt and 1 hat from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association in your chosen style and size as additional thanks for your support. Supporters can substitute the hat for the Alice Shirley designed bandana if preferred. An example t-shirt and hat:
$500+
- You’ll gain access to a patron-only community chat on WhatsApp where you can interact with an international group of supporters, receive Chaar Ranch and Chaar breeding project updates, and receive announcements about new experiences and offerings.
- You will be gifted 1 hat and 1 t-shirt from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association in your chosen style and size as additional thanks for your support. Supporters can substitute the hat for the Alice Shirley designed bandana if preferred.
- You will gain access to 1 week stay at Chaar Ranch. Year-round dates will be available for booking once the eco-lodge is built and operational. This benefit is limited to 100 people.
$1,000+
- You’ll gain access to a patron-only community chat on WhatsApp where you can interact with an international group of supporters, receive Chaar Ranch and Chaar breeding project updates, and receive announcements about new experiences and offerings.
- You will be gifted 1 hat and 1 t-shirt from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association in your chosen style and size as additional thanks for your support. Supporters can substitute the hat for the Alice Shirley designed bandana if preferred.
- You will receive an exclusive experience to train for a day with the world-ranked Kyrgyz Horseball Team. You will follow along with the horseball team in a full day routine from warm-up, gear up, field practice, drill exercises, cool down, and general camaraderie as part of the team. You will be gifted a horseball jersey signed by the team, do a photoshoot with the team, and compete in a mock horseball match on an indigenous Chaar horse, refereed by the Kyrgyz Horse Team captain. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 3 days / 2 nights lodging at Chaar Ranch included; this will allow additional time to enjoy other activities at the ranch. Please note that dates for this experience will only be available between October to March. Space is limited, so be the first to claim this benefit!
$2,000+
- You’ll gain access to a patron-only community chat on WhatsApp where you can interact with an international group of supporters, receive Chaar Ranch and Chaar breeding project updates, and receive announcements about new experiences and offerings.
- You will be gifted 1 hat and 1 t-shirt from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association in your chosen style and size as additional thanks for your support. Supporters can substitute the hat for the Alice Shirley designed bandana if preferred.
- You will be gifted a piece of wool felt art, made using traditional Kyrgyz techniques by a local association that facilitates artisans and young people from a number of villages to preserve cultural knowledge. The making process is recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage practice and each piece is one-of-a-kind.
- You will receive enrollment in the Chaar Appaloosa and Kyrgyzstan Heritage 10-Day Experience. This trip is an opportunity to meet the Chaar Appaloosa Horse, explore its historical heritage, its nomadic culture, and its role in their biodiverse natural spaces of modern day Kyrgyzstan. It is a special chance to visit the Chaar Appaloosa horses at the first, and currently only, stud farm for the breed in the heart of the Tian Shan mountains’ exceptional landscapes. Enjoy the unique experience of riding Chaar horses in their native lands, discover the famous Fergana Valley–where Alexander the Great made his conquest of Asia–, and uncover the history and secrets of key cultural points along the ancient Silk Road. You’ll learn first-hand how the International association Chaar Appaloosa is working to revitalize this endangered breed through careful breeding programs and conservation efforts which highlight the horses’ native economic, cultural, and agricultural importance, as well as sharing its value to global biodiversity. All meals and lodging included. Limited to 12 people. Dates to be announced for 2026.
- You will have the option of adding a 3 days / 2 nights extended stay at Chaar Ranch, with all meals included and riding horse access, following the Chaar Appaloosa and Kyrgyzstan Heritage experience.
$2,500+
- You’ll gain access to a patron-only community chat on WhatsApp where you can interact with an international group of supporters, receive Chaar Ranch and Chaar breeding project updates, and receive announcements about new experiences and offerings.
- You will be gifted 1 hat and 1 t-shirt from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association in your chosen style and size as additional thanks for your support. Supporters can substitute the hat for the Alice Shirley designed bandana if preferred.
- You will be gifted a piece of wool felt art, made using traditional Kyrgyz techniques by a local association that facilitates artisans and young people from a number of villages to preserve cultural knowledge. The making process is recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage practice and each piece is one-of-a-kind.
- You will be granted enrollment in the upcoming "Agribusiness, Sustainability, and Biodiversity in the Celestial Mountains" program at Chaar Ranch. Enjoy ecological discovery at different altitudes in the wild and beautiful Toktogul region of Kyrgyzstan. Learn about its native flora and fauna, uncover how its people and livestock have survived in harmony with the land for millennia through nomadic practices, identify the greatest modern threats to its sustainability, and explore how the region's natural beauty can be protected for the future. The trip will be led by local ecotourism expert, Munarbek Kuldanbaev, with special topic guest speakers. All lodging and meals included. Limited to 12 people.
- You will have the option of adding a 3 days / 2 nights extended stay at Chaar Ranch, with all meals included and riding horse access, prior to or following the program.
$5,000+
Limited to 20 people.
- You’ll gain access to a patron-only community chat on WhatsApp where you can interact with an international group of supporters, receive Chaar Ranch and Chaar breeding project updates, and receive announcements about new experiences and offerings.
- You will be gifted 1 hat and 1 t-shirt from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association in your chosen style and size as additional thanks for your support. Supporters can substitute the hat for the Alice Shirley designed bandana if preferred.
- You will be gifted a wool felt art shyrdak, made using traditional Kyrgyz techniques by a local association that facilitates artisans and young people from a number of villages to preserve cultural knowledge. The making process is recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage practice and each piece is one-of-a-kind.
- Your name or company name will be permanently displayed on the Chaar Ranch eco-lodge building and on the International Chaar Appaloosa Association website sponsors section.
- You will gain access to 1 week stay at Chaar Ranch once a year for 5 years. Year-round dates will be available for booking once the eco-lodge is built and operational.
- You will be given a 3-day private riding tour with daily guided rides out into the Toktogul region from Chaar Ranch with an experienced horseman. This includes the option to enjoy a private mountain picnic.
- You will become the official sponsor of one of the 2026 Chaar program foals to receive lifetime annual updates, photos, and news about your sponsored Chaar. The naming of foals is usually reserved for the Chaar stud farm horsemen or participants of the accelerated breeding program upon receiving ownership of their foal, after a 48 month patron commitment. This opportunity allows you to become a foal’s sponsor, choose their name, follow their life journey, and receive updates on them and their herd families to cherish and share with pride. Limited to 20 people.
$10,000+
Limited to 10 people.
- You’ll gain access to a patron-only community chat on WhatsApp where you can interact with an international group of supporters, receive Chaar Ranch and Chaar breeding project updates, and receive announcements about new experiences and offerings.
- You will be gifted 1 hat and 1 t-shirt from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association in your chosen style and size as additional thanks for your support. Supporters can substitute the hat for the Alice Shirley designed bandana if preferred.
- You will be gifted a wool felt art shyrdak, made using traditional Kyrgyz techniques by a local association that facilitates artisans and young people from a number of villages to preserve cultural knowledge. The making process is recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage practice and each piece is one-of-a-kind.
- Your name or company name will be permanently displayed on the Chaar Ranch eco-lodge building and on the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association website sponsors section.
- You will gain access to 1 week stay at Chaar Ranch once a year for 5 years. Year-round dates will be available for booking once the eco-lodge is built and operational.
- You will be given a 1 week private riding tour with daily rides out into the Toktogul region from Chaar Ranch with an experienced horseman. This includes the option to enjoy a private mountain picnic. You may bring a friend or venture out solo for this experience.
- You will become the official sponsor of AND name one of the 2026 Chaar program foals to receive lifetime annual updates, photos, and news about your sponsored Chaar. The naming of foals is usually reserved for the Chaar stud farm horsemen or participants of the accelerated breeding program upon receiving ownership of their foal, after a 48 month patron commitment. This opportunity allows you to become a foal’s sponsor, choose their name, follow their life journey, and receive updates on them and their herd families to cherish and share with pride. It costs approximately $1 a day to support each Chaar horse, so this level of donation is representative of providing care for the lifetime of one Chaar horse. Limited to 10 people.
- You will also receive a personal thank you video from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association and Chaar Ranch team thanking you or your company by name, featuring your favorite Chaar horse from the program herds.
$20,000+
Limited to 5 people.
- You’ll gain access to a patron-only community chat on WhatsApp where you can interact with an international group of supporters, receive Chaar Ranch and Chaar breeding project updates, and receive announcements about new experiences and offerings.
- You will be gifted 1 hat and 1 t-shirt from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association in your chosen style and size as additional thanks for your support. Supporters can substitute the hat for the Alice Shirley designed bandana if preferred.
- Your name or company name will be permanently displayed on the Chaar Ranch eco-lodge building and on the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association website sponsors section.
- You will gain access to 1 week stay at Chaar Ranch once a year for 5 years. Year-round dates will be available for booking once the eco-lodge is built and operational.
- You will be gifted a wool felt art shyrdak, made using traditional Kyrgyz techniques by a local association that facilitates artisans and young people from a number of villages to preserve cultural knowledge. The making process is recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage practice and each piece is one-of-a-kind.
- You will have the exclusive option to purchase one of the 2026 Chaar breeding program foals. Typically, the purchase of a Chaar is only offered through the Accelerated Breeding Program initiative which requires a 48 month commitment and participants of the program can only decide which gender and coat pattern they desire. This special offer, in gratitude of your generous support, allows you to select a specific foal from 2 of the 3 Chaar breeding program herds with the exemption of foundation stallion ChaarSuulu’s herd. The purchased foal may be kept in Kyrgyzstan with the Chaar stud herds or exported once weaned. Each foal is a valuable asset to the Chaar revitalization project and can become an important ambassador for the breed in other countries. The very first Chaar will export from Kyrgyzstan at the end of 2025. With this opportunity, you could be the first to import to your country in 2026. Limited to 5 people.
- You will also receive a personal thank you video from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association and Chaar Ranch team thanking you or your company by name, featuring your favorite Chaar horse from the program herds.
$50,000+
Limited to 1 person.
- You’ll gain access to a patron-only community chat on WhatsApp where you can interact with an international group of supporters, receive Chaar Ranch and Chaar breeding project updates, and receive announcements about new experiences and offerings.
- You will be gifted 1 hat and 1 t-shirt from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association in your chosen style and size as additional thanks for your support. Supporters can substitute the hat for the Alice Shirley designed bandana if preferred.
- Your name or company name will be permanently displayed as the primary sponsor on the Chaar Ranch eco-lodge building and on the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association website sponsors section.
- Your name or company name/logo will be put on all marketing materials for Chaar Ranch for the next 5 years to acknowledge your generous support.
- You will gain access to 1 week stay at Chaar Ranch once a year for 5 years. Year-round dates will be available for booking once the eco-lodge is built and operational.
- You will be gifted a wool felt art shyrdak, made using traditional Kyrgyz techniques by a local association that facilitates artisans and young people from a number of villages to preserve cultural knowledge. The making process is recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage practice and each piece is one-of-a-kind.
- You will have the exclusive option to purchase one of the 2026 Chaar breeding program foals. Typically, the purchase of a Chaar is only offered through the Accelerated Breeding Program initiative which requires a 48 month commitment and participants of the program can only decide which gender and coat pattern they desire. This special offer, in gratitude of your generous support, allows you to select a specific foal from 2 of the 3 Chaar breeding program herds with the exemption of foundation stallion ChaarSuulu’s herd. The purchased foal may be kept in Kyrgyzstan with the Chaar stud herds or exported once weaned. Each foal is a valuable asset to the Chaar revitalization project and can become an important ambassador for the breed in other countries. The very first Chaar will export from Kyrgyzstan at the end of 2025. With this opportunity, you could be the first to import to your country in 2026. Limited to 1.
- You will also receive a personal thank you video from the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association and Chaar Ranch team thanking you or your company by name, featuring your favorite Chaar horse from the program herds.
We thank you for taking the time to read about our mission and Chaar Ranch project!
This project is still in development, and its successful realization depends on the support of partners who share our vision. We invite like-minded individuals, brands, investors, and organizations to join us in creating a space that exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of humans, horses, and nature.
Be part of the creation of Chaar Ranch—together, we can bring this vision to life!
Learn more about the International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association and the Chaar Ranch project, click here .
If you have any questions about the project or fundraising benefits, please contact us here.
Organizer and beneficiary
Yorke McGillivray
Organizer
Saint-Médard-sur-Ille, A2
Chaar Appaloosa
Beneficiary