T H E - The United States Icelandic Horse Congress
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Issue One THE 2022
Q U A R T E R L Y
Official Publication of the United States Icelandic Horse Congress
Member Association of FEIF (International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations)
ISSUE ONE 2022 • ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 1
FULL SERVICE ICELANDIC FACILITY SOUTH OF
PORTLAND, OREGON RUN BY AWARD WINNING
ICELANDIC, LIBERTY AND BRIDLELESS TRAINERS
ALEXANDRA VENABLE AND CAELI CAVANAGH (HOLAR
GRADUATE AND FEIF TRAINER LEVEL 3)
Services Include: Contact us:
Training 34260 NE Old Parrett Mtn Rd
Lessons (Riding and Liberty) Newberg, OR
Clinics On and Offsite 8022995468 or 8313340314
Boarding alfadansequestrianarts@gmail.com
Sales (Domestic or Imported for You)
Online Education Courses www.alfadans.com
2 ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY • ISSUE ONE 2022
2022 Events
Email Virginia@HarmonyIcelandics.com for more info and updates.
Toppur Leadership & LiberTy Clinic
Mar 19-20 with Gudmundur Skulason and Carrie Lyons Brandt
Breeding Assessment, Mock Breeding
Assessment & Riding Horse Assessment
Aug 30-31 (Judge to be assigned by FEIF)
Toppur Sport Show
3 (Judges Thorgeir Gudlaugsson, Silke Feuchthofen, Will Covert)
Sep 3-4
Can’t wait
to see you
in 2022!
HarmonyIcelandics.com
Iowa • Virginia@HarmonyIcelandics.com
ISSUE ONE 2022 • ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 3
PRESENTS
EAST COAST BREEDING EVALUATIONS
2022 Susy Oliver
Mark Lawrence
FEIF and USIHC sanctioned breeding evaluations
coming to Montaire Icelandic Horses, Middleburg, VA
May 20-22, 2022
All USIHC registered horses are welcome.
Riders wish to show their horses for the educational op-
portunity can participate in a “mock” assessment for
conformation and/or ridden abilities.
For information registration forms go to
www.montaire.org
Sherry Hoover
Or contact Curt Pierce at cepinwv@yahoo.com
Heidi Benson at saestadiricelandics@gmail.com
Registration deadline for all horses is May 1st, 2022
36727 Leith Lane, Middleburg, VA 20117
4 ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY • ISSUE ONE 2022
ISSUE ONE 2022 • ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 5
Boarding Training
Find Iceland
In Colorado
Lessons Education
Sales Trips
Barn address 719-209 2312
13311 Spring Valley Rd coralie@tamangur-icelandics.com
Larkspur, CO 80118 www.tamangur-icelandics.com
6 ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY • ISSUE ONE 2022
ISSUE ONE 2022 • ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 7
ICELANDIC HORSE
Q U A R T E R L Y
THE ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 10 NEWS
Issue One 2022 10 USIHC News
Official Publication of the United States
Icelandic Horse Congress (USIHC), 14 FEIF News
a member association of FEIF
(International Federation of Icelandic 16 Club Updates
Horse Associations).
©2022 All rights reserved.
25 FEATURES
The Icelandic Horse Quarterly is published in
March, June, September, and December
25 Who is Alex? Interview by Alex Pregitzer
by the USIHC as a benefit of membership.
Renew online at www.icelandics.org.
26 #2 in the World by Janet Kuykendall
Deadlines are January 1 (for the March
issue), April 1, July 1, and October 1. 28 Eventing Adventures by Alison Osborne
We reserve the right to edit submissions.
All articles represent the opinions of their 30 Choosing Your First by Andrea Barber
authors alone; publication in the Quarterly
does not imply an endorsement of any kind 33 The True Cost of a Foal by Jessica Haynsworth
by the USIHC. Ads are accepted with the un-
derstanding that the advertiser is authorized to 37 A Dog & Pony Show? by Leslie Chambers
publish their contents and agrees to indemnify
the USIHC and the Quarterly against any loss
or expense resulting from their publication.
The USIHC reserves the right to reject any ad.
Quarterly Committee: Carol Andrew, USIHC CONTACTS
Margot Apple, Andrea Brodie, Nancy
Committees Directors Registry
Marie Brown(co-editor), Leslie Chambers,
Alys Culhane, Nicki Esdorn (co-editor), Affiliated_clubs@icelandics.org President@icelandics.org c/o Ásta Covert
Em Jacobs, Kate Kalan, Constance Koll- Leslie Chambers (860-334-8259) Will Covert (805-688-1393) P.O. Box 1724
mann, Gabriele Meyer, Kristin Moorhead, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Breeding@icelandics.org Vice_president@icelandics.org
Anne Owen, Alex Pregitzer, Emily Potts, Toll free: 866-929-0009
Virginia Lauridsen (515-556-3307) Jeffrey Rose (jeffsrose@gmail.com)
Chris Romano, Judy Strehler, Lynn Wiese, registry@icelandics.org
Nancy Wines-Dewan. Competition@icelandics.org Secretary@icelandics.org
Main Office
Martin Nielsen (859-490-9707) Martin Nielsen (859-490-9707)
Advertising: Jean Ervasti (917-648-8824 United States Icelandic
Education@icelandics.org Treasurer@icelandics.org
or jean.ervasti@gmail.com) Horse Congress
Will Covert (805-688-1393) Lori Cretney (262-495-8745)
c/o Lori Cretney
Jeffrey Rose (608-438-9435)
Graphic Design: James Collins Leslie Chambers N2746 Hardscrabble Road
Leisure@icelandics.org (lchambers17@comcast.net) Palmyra, WI 53156
On the cover: “Girl Power” by Andrea Janet Mulder (907-351-4473) Toll free: 866-929-0009
Barber, featuring Alísa frá Miðengi Virginia Lauridsen
info@icelandics.org
(IS2008288712, in foreground), Sletta Promotion@icelandics.org (515-556-3307)
from Sand Meadow (US2020205640, Emily Potts (413-531-6336) Website
Janet Mulder
pinto), and Embla from Sand Meadow
Quarterly@icelandics.org (907-351-4473) www.icelandics.org
(US2020205576, chestnut).
Nancy Brown (802-626-4220) webhelp@icelandics.org
Lucy Nold
Nicki Esdorn (914-826-5159)
(831-332-5328)
Youth@icelandics.org
Emily Potts
Lucy Nold (831-332-5328)
(413-531-6336)
8 ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY • ISSUE ONE 2022
UNITED STATES ICELANDIC HORSE CONGRESS • WWW.ICELANDICS.ORG
THE
USIHC
MISSION
• To promote the knowledge of the
Icelandic horse within the United
States and its correct use as a com-
petition and riding horse.
• To keep a registry of purebred Ice-
landic horses in the United States.
Taktur Icelandics
• To facilitate communication among
all USIHC members.
• To represent the United States in
FEIF. W H Y J O I N T H E U S I H C ?
A
s the owner or rider of an Icelan- monetary support to organizers of shows
The U.S. Icelandic Horse Congress is dic horse, you chose a very special and clinics.
a member of FEIF (www.feif.org), the breed with its own culture and The Icelandic horse has internation-
history. It is important to learn about al competition rules: You can compete in
International Federation of Icelandic the breed’s unique traits, capabilities, the same classes and receive comparable
Horse Associations, representing the and needs, so that you and your Icelan- scores in any FEIF member country.
dic horse will have a happy relationship Likewise, the Icelandic horse is one of
national Icelandic horse associations and it will live a healthy and long life. few breeds with international evaluation
of 21 countries. FEIF governs competition By joining the USIHC, you connect to standards, so that breeding horses from
a worldwide network of experts to help all over the world are judged on the same
activities and regulates the breeding and you care for, ride, train, breed, and learn 10 points of conformation and 10 ridden
registration of Icelandic horses through- more about your horse. abilities. The USIHC sanctions sport and
The USIHC is the umbrella or- breeding shows that conform to FEIF
out the world outside of Iceland.
ganization for 14 affiliated clubs: 13 rules.
regional clubs and an activity club for The USIHC is responsible for the
professional trainers. Our Registry U.S. teams at the FEIF Icelandic Horse
The USIHC was formed in 1987 by
links to WorldFengur, the worldwide World Championships, the FEIF Youth
representatives of the U.S. Icelandic database of all registered Icelandic horses Cup, and the FEIF Youth Camp. Through
Horse Federation and the International (USIHC members have free access to FEIF, the USIHC votes on rules and poli-
WorldFengur), and we publish The Icelan- cies that affect the welfare of the Icelan-
Icelandic Horse Association to meet dic Horse Quarterly, maintaining an online dic horse worldwide.
the FEIF rule that only one association archive of all issues since 2008. As a member of the USIHC, your
The USIHC sponsors scientific dues and registration fees make all
from each country is allowed to research on the Icelandic horse, helps this possible. Our board members and
represent the breed. promote the Icelandic horse at expos and committee chairs are all volunteers. As a
through social media, supports educa- member-driven organization, the USIHC
tional seminars and events like the Ameri- grows stronger the more active and
can Youth Cup, organizes leisure activities involved our members become. Please
like the Sea 2 Shining Sea virtual ride, join us so that the USIHC can, as FEIF’s
creates teaching tools like the Riding mission states, “bring people together in
Badge Program, and offers practical and their passion for the Icelandic horse.”
ISSUE ONE 2022 • ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 9
USIHC NEWS
WANT TO BE A TRAINER?
The U.S. Trainer Certification System has
become a reality! “This is a huge boon
for our community,” says USIHC board
member Virginia Lauridsen. “One of the
biggest hurdles hindering the presence
of Icelandic horses in the U.S. is a lack of
trainers. At this time, most of the certified
trainers in the U.S. were educated either
at Hólar University in Iceland or through
the German IPZV system. Having our own
certification system will allow trainers to
be certified in the U.S., without having to
spend months or years abroad.”
Although we have many highly skilled
riders and trainers of various disciplines in
our country—and much of horse manage-
ment and basic training is shared—there
are elements of training Icelandic horses
that make it a highly specialized skill. FEIF The judges’ tents at the Ice Championships, a series of three one-day World Ranking Shows held
tasks each member country with develop- at Léttleiki Icelandics in Shelbyville, KY in October.
ing a trainer certification system “based feif.or/education-dept/). Each country and yet gave freely of their knowledge and
on national requirements, culture, and experience with the sole goal of making
must follow this basic framework in order
history.” In the U.S., for example, we share this a reality. Thank you!
for trainers to be recognized as FEIF train-
the European traditions of dressage and Later this year, depending on the
ers. In developing our own training system,
show jumping, but also have an extensive availability of judges and the location of
we wanted to flesh out the FEIF training
history of Western riding and breed-specif- applicants, we will launch our first examina-
ic disciplines, such as saddle seat. Our new matrix with the testing requirements that
tions. These are designed for “Fast Track”
training certification system takes into con- are most helpful in the U.S.
applicants—people who already have
sideration our history and how Icelandic Our committee of FEIF-certified train-
extensive experience in teaching and train-
horses are used in the U.S. ers (Laura Benson, Carrie Lyons Brandt,
ing Icelandic horses. We have developed
The FEIF educational matrix defines Caeli Cavanagh, Jana Meyer, and Alex Pre-
a testing rubric as well as a study guide to
the minimum requirements for certified gitzer) has been hard at work for almost help applicants prepare for the exam.
instructors in four levels (see https://www. two years. They received no compensation The “Fast Track” requirements are:
First, you must have completed a three-
month internship (cumulative) with a
FEIF level III trainer or above; the trainer
must be willing to attest to this in writing.
Additionally, you should fulfill six of
the following 10 requirements: 1. Earn
50% of your income as a trainer or work
20 hours per week as a trainer; 2. Be
included in the national ranking or have
a student who is included in the national
ranking; 3. Have national Icelandic horse
judging certification (FEIF Level “C”
or above); 4. Have ridden or trained a
horse judged over 7.80 for ride-ability in
a breeding assessment; 5. Provide a letter
of recommendation from a client who has
had a horse in training for three months
Molly Stotts riding Ljóska from Northstar in T6-Tölt at the Ice Championships in Kentucky. Photo or more, plus a letter of recommenda-
by Léttleiki Icelandics. tion from a student who has been taking
10 ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY • ISSUE ONE 2022lessons for three months or more; 6. Have
experience hosting a clinic with at least six
persons; 7. Have participated in a demon-
stration of the Icelandic horse at a public
event such as a horse fair or expo (this
demo should include a thorough verbal
presentation by the applicant of the special
qualities of the Icelandic horse); 8. Have
completed Knapamerki levels 1-4; 9. Have
completed Riding Badge competition level
2 and pleasure riding level 2; 10. Have
certification in equine studies from a uni-
versity or comparable educational entity.
To apply to be a “Fast Track” applicant
for trainer certification, contact the Edu-
cation Committee chair, Jeff Rose (educa-
tion@icelandics.org).
2022 SEA 2 SHINING SEA RIDE
Sea 2 Shining Sea is a year-long virtual Amelie Maranda (left), Arianna Deforge, and Isabelle Maranda in the (Root)Beer Tölt at the Mon-
ride for USIHC members on Icelandic taire Icelandic Horse Show in Virginia. Photo by Valerie Durbon.
horses. This year, the 4,000-mile “ride”
follows the route taken by Annie Wilkins and will end on December 31. Riders can held at Flying C Ranch in Santa Ynez, CA
from Minot, ME to Hollywood, CA. An- participate as individuals or as teams of (November).
nie’s story is shared by Elizabeth Letts in up to six riders, each logging their riding Several National Ranking Shows are
her book The Ride of Her Life (Ballantine hours online via the S2SS web pages. To planned for 2022; as of mid-January, these
Books, 2021). According to the publisher, reach each checkpoint requires 50 hours included: the CIA Open Spring Show,
The Ride of Her Life is “the triumphant of leisure riding (hours for which you are to be held at Flying C Ranch in Santa
true story of a woman who rode her horse paid to ride do not count); the hours are Ynez, CA (April 23-24); the first Oregon
across America in the 1950s, fulfilling her converted to distance at the rate of 4 miles National Ranking Icelandic Horse Show,
dying wish to see the Pacific Ocean.” per hour. Actual distances between check- organized by Five-Gait Farm at the Oregon
The S2SS ride began on January 8 point locations may be slightly more or less Horse Center in Eugene (May 28-29); the
than 200 miles. For more information, or NEIHC National Ranking Show at Thor
to sign up and log your hours, see https:// Icelandics in Claverack, NY (June 18-19);
icelandics.org/sea-2-shining-sea-ride. three shows to be held at Solheimar Icelan-
dics in Tunbridge, VT (July 23-24, August
NATIONAL RANKING SHOWS
20-21, and October 15-16); the Toppur An-
Eight National Ranking Shows (formerly nual Sport Horse Show at Harmony Icelan-
known as USIHC-Sanctioned Shows) were dics in Truro, IA (September 3-4); and the
held in 2021. Two were virtual, six were Ice Championships Triple World Ranking
in-person, and three also qualified as Shows at Léttleiki Icelandics in Shelbyville,
World Ranking Shows. All results can be KY (September 30-October 2). Check the
found at https://icelandics.org/nation- Events calendar at https://icelandics.org
al-ranking-show-results. for dates for the 2022 Montaire Show, the
The 2021 shows were the USIHC CIA Open Fall Show, and others.
Virtual Spring Show (July); the Toppur An-
nual Sport Horse Show, held at Harmony BREEDING ASSESSMENTS
Icelandics in Truro, IA (September); the Breeding Assessments are planned for
Ice Championships, a series of three one- May in Virginia and August in Iowa.
day World Ranking Shows held at Léttleiki As Breeding Chair Virginia Lauridsen
Icelandics in Shelbyville, KY (October); wrote in Issue Four 2020 of the Quarterly,
the Montaire Icelandic Horse Show, held “Breeding assessments are just that—
Lucy Nold (left) and Emmy Stewart in the Pairs at Montaire Icelandics in Middleburg, VA assessments. They are not competitions
Class at the CIA Open Fall Show in California. (October); and the CIA Open Fall Show, or judgments on the value of a horse.
ISSUE ONE 2022 • ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 11database and who ensure that all FEIF
rules are followed. These rules (updated
each April) can be found in the Breeding
section of the FEIF General Rules and
Regulations. (The latest rules are available
here: https://www.feif.org/breeding-dept/
documents/)
A Riding Horse Assessment is not
scored, but provides qualitative feedback
from the judges. Icelandic horse owners
who have no intention of breeding their
horses can benefit from having their
horses assessed, Virginia notes. “There are
fewer than 30 FEIF Breeding Judges in the
world, so it’s wonderful to spend time with
one. They have a special eye.” For more
information, contact her at breeding@
icelandics.org.
STALLION PROFILE
Isabella Sharpensteen of Colorado was Rider At the December Board Meeting, the
of the Month for December. Breeding Committee unveiled a pro- Trainer Janet Mulder of AK Ice Farm in Alaska.
Rather, they are objective assessments of totype for an online Stallion Profile.
TRAINER OF THE YEAR
the horse in question compared to the Listings will be available to all stallions
Each year the FEIF Education Commit-
general population of Icelandic horses. based in North America. For farms that
tee runs an international contest for
They can be fun! Certainly they are always currently purchase a Farm Listing (which
Icelandic Horse Trainer of the Year. For
educational and worth the effort. The appears both online and in the Quarter-
2022, the USIHC is proud to nominate
goal is to help select the best Icelandic ly), an online profile of one stallion will
Janet Mulder (FEIF International Trainer
horses to use for breeding.” be included free; profiles of additional
Level 1) of AK Ice Farm in Anchorage,
Breeding Assessments are made by stallions will cost $50/year. For people
AK. Janet is also a member of the USIHC
internationally certified Breeding Judges, without a Farm Listing, the cost of a pro- Board of Directors and leads the Leisure
who submit the scores to the WorldFengur file is $110 per stallion per year. Committee.
RIDERS OF THE MONTH
Each month the USIHC Leisure Commit-
tee randomly chooses a rider in the Sea 2
Shining Sea Virtual Ride (S2SS) to be the
Rider of the Month. This quarter’s riders
are Nancy Rohlfs, Doreen Shoda, and
Isabella Sharpensteen.
Nancy Rohlfs of Ipswich, MA owns
two Icelandic horses. She competes in one
of two S2SS teams organized by Merrimack
Valley Icelandics. She finds the S2SS ride
provides friendly competition and a fun
way to keep track of her trail riding hours.
“I like to ride consistently, and now that I
own two horses I have to ride more.” She
rides out in nature at all times of the year.
“It was my go-to activity during Covid-19,”
she says, “to be able to have fun and see
my friends.” In addition to trail riding,
Doreen Shoda of Washington was Rider of the Month for November. Photo by Emmy Smith. she enjoys showing, clinics, liberty work,
12 ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY • ISSUE ONE 2022dressage, hunter paces, and performing in
drill teams—her Icelandics do it all.
Doreen Shoda of Redmond, WA
owns four Icelandics, two from Iceland,
one from Canada, and one from Idaho.
She joined the S2SS ride at the invitation
of her local club, Hestafolk, which put
together three teams. “When my husband
and I bought two Icelandics years ago,” she
writes, “people in the Seattle area could
not even identify what breed they were. We
formed Avondale Icelandics as local breed
ambassadors, providing lessons, training,
and educational experiences. I am so
proud now when people say, ‘Hey, are
those Icelandics?’” About trail riding, she
says, “All the training, conditioning, and
partnership with the horse is really put to
the test when you are out on the trail.”
Isabella Sharpensteen of Cahone, CO
Leisure Rider of the Month for October was Nancy Rohlfs of Massachusetts. Photo by Beth Rohlfs.
owns three Icelandics. She joined S2SS
for the sense of community. “I live pretty
Mulder, Emily Potts. Each will begin serv- agreed to turn the FEIF Youth Cup tryouts
secluded and unless I am doing lessons, I
ing a three-year term on January 1, 2022. into a Virtual Youth Championship to
am all by myself. While I share a lot of my
make it a more fun and meaningful event,
horsey life on social media, there is still a BOARD STATEMENT especially if the FYC is cancelled again in
bit of community sense missing. S2SS pro- The USIHC Board received feedback 2022. Results and team announcements
vides exactly what I was missing. I have had from several members about the article will be made around March 15.
an amazing team this year (Frozen Tundra “Alvar’s Story of ECVM” printed in Issue Suggestions for highlighting U.S.-bred
Tolters) and everyone was so supportive Four 2021 of the Quarterly. We remind horses in the National Ranking and for
and cheering each other on.” Her goal for readers that all articles in the Quarter- instituting an award for the highest ranked
the S2SS ride “was to get more confident,
ly represent the opinions of their authors U.S.-bred horse in the Green Horse Four-
not only for me but also for my horses.
alone; publication does not imply an Gait class were discussed and referred to
And it has helped immensely.”
endorsement of any kind by the USIHC. the Sport Committee for implementation.
DRESSAGE AWARDS The USIHC remains firmly commit- Understanding the value of keeping
The USIHC has renewed its member- ted to the health and well-being of horses. an up-to-date national sport calendar,
ship in the U.S. Dressage Federation’s We continue to urge all our members to the Sport Committee is working with the
All-Breeds Program for 2022. Designed consult with qualified veterinarians for any webmaster on developing the needed
to recognize the accomplishments of issues concerning the medical treatment infrastructure. In the meantime, a Goggle
specific breeds in dressage, these awards and care for their horses. calendar was initiated and all show orga-
are presented to horses declared for a nizers are being invited to pencil in their
BOARD MEETINGS
participating registry/organization with planned events for 2022.
The USIHC Board of Directors met by The Education Committee report-
the United States Dressage Federation.
Zoom call on October 12, November 16, ed that a study guide for applicants for
For more information, see https://icelan-
and December 7. Complete minutes, trainer education is underway, and a sport
dics.org/usdf-all-breeds-awards or email
including the monthly Treasurer’s and judging seminar is being planned for
Janet Mulder at awards@icelandics.org.
Secretary’s reports, committee reports, and Colorado for 2022.
BOARD ELECTION the annual budget, can be found online at
Thank you to all USIHC members who https://icelandics.org/minutes. USIHC ANNUAL MEETING
cast their votes in the 2021 USIHC Elec- members are encouraged to listen in on The annual USIHC Membership Meet-
tion. Congratulations to the following board meetings. The agenda and informa- ing was held virtually on February 26,
three individuals, who were re-elected tion on how to connect are posted on the beginning at noon EST. Look for reports
and will continue serving on the USIHC USIHC website the weekend before. on the meeting in the next issue of the
Board of Directors: Leslie Chambers, Janet Among other topics, the Board Quarterly.
ISSUE ONE 2022 • ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 13FEIF NEWS
COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Leisure Riding Committee ana- TOUR RIDER CUP
For the first time since early 2020, the lyzed the various activities that took place The winners of the 2021 FEIF Tour Rider
Covid-19 situation made personal meet- in 2021, including the photo competition Cup are: First Place, with 167.5 points,
ings possible and thus most FEIF commit- (which received more than 500 entries), Simone Freese (adult, DE) with the horse
tees met for a weekend of discussions in the Tour Rider Cup, and the Virtual Tryggvi von Walsheim. Second Place, with
Malmö, Sweden from October 29-30. Also Ride. The feedback on these activities was 161 points, Jaime Jackson (adult, US)
for the first time, all young committee great, and therefore they will be offered with the horse Holly (see the article in
members could join the event. again in 2022, with revised procedures to this issue). Third Place, with 159 points,
At these yearly meetings, committee make participation easier. The group also Lilu (Young Rider, DE) with the horse
members discuss the activities in their discussed the importance of the World Glampi von Arula; Lilu is also the winner
departments and prepare proposals for Championships and WorldFengur for in the Young Riders category. Fourth
the FEIF Annual Meeting, to be held this leisure riders, the idea of seminars for Place, with 75.5 points, Kylia (adult, DE)
year in February. leisure riders, and the possibilities for a with the horse Stjarni. Fifth Place, with
The Breeding Committee, Breeding FEIF Rider Camp. 73.5 points, Japhie (Young Rider, BE)
Judges Committee, and FEIF Registra- The Sport Committee and Sport with the horse Hending.
tion Group discussed a wide range of Judges Committee discussed a broad vari- Congratulations to all other Tour
topics, including seminars (either online ety of topics, including equipment rules, Rider Cup participants. Each spent many
or in-person) for announcers, breeding the clarity of the description of certain hours in the saddle and achieved amazing
rules, reasons for elimination and disqual- results. We hope you enjoyed every single
judges, and breeding leaders, as well as
ification, the possibility of participating in ride. In a year when Covid-19 often did
WorldFengur registrars. The exam for
not allow us to meet in person, it was
new breeding judges to be held in Spring more than one tölt test, solutions to pre-
wonderful to see that so many riders took
2022 was also discussed, as countries have vent having too many horses in the finals,
the opportunity to take part in the Tour
already pre-registered several candidates. and adapting the judging of entry-level
Rider Cup.
The weekend was also used to prepare in- tests to make them more approachable
The 50 best participants received a
formation on the guidelines for breeding and a better fit with the training scale. It
limited-edition calendar with the winning
shows and the BLUP calculation, as well was a constructive meeting and many of
pictures from the FEIF Photo Competition.
as proposals for the Delegates’ Assembly. the topics will result in proposals for the
The 2022 FEIF Tour Rider Cup will start on
The FEIF Education Committee pre- annual department meeting in 2022.
May 1, the Day of the Icelandic Horse.
pared the “Trainer of the Year 2021” award, The Youth Work Committee dis-
discussed the different CPD seminars that cussed the Young Leaders’ Seminar on PHOTO COMPETITION
were offered in the different countries, and Digital Networking in the Equine Sector. On December 21, the photographers
reviewed and updated different documents. This event was divided into two parts, the of the 13 best photos submitted to the
Several equipment-related questions were first being an online event, which took FEIF Photo Competition were honored
discussed with the Breeding and Sport place on November 21. The second part in an award ceremony. It was definitely
committees in a joint meeting. takes place in Vienna on April 1-3. a difficult task for the jury to choose the
14 ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY • ISSUE ONE 2022best photos from more than 500 entries. tors of international standing. The week The genetic evaluations of all horses
The winning photo came from Chiara ends with a competition featuring a range in the database are now published in
Schmid-Bielenberg: She enchanted the of youth classes both on and off the oval WorldFengur, regardless of the accuracy
entire jury with her wonderful and emo- track. Riders aged 14 to 17 train and com- of the estimate. Previously, the threshold
tional photo. For the remaining calendar pete in international teams, with the aim for publication was an accuracy exceeding
pages, about 40 additional pictures were of fostering friendship and an awareness 30%. However, one should keep in mind
chosen via a public Facebook poll. of cultural differences. The language at that the accuracy of genetic evaluations
Congratulations to the winners and a all international FEIF events is English. below 60% are still insecure predictions.
big thanks to all participants and sponsors Each country has a fixed number It is important that mares and stallions
for supporting the project. You can see of rider spots: DE, IS, SE, DK (7 partici- used for breeding are assessed in order
the 13 best photos on the FEIF website pants); AT, CH, NL, NO (5 participants); to increase the accuracy of the genetic
https://www.feif.org/2021/12/21/ BE, FR, FO, FI, US (3 participants); GB, selection.
award-ceremony-of-the-photo-competi- IT, LU, SI, CA, HU, AU, NZ, LI (2 partic-
EQUIPMENT RULES
tion-2021/. ipants). The host country and the winner
FEIF encourages a level playing field in
of the annual FEIF Youth Award each are
LANDSMÓT 2022 the overall Icelandic horse sport, includ-
allowed one extra participant.
This year’s Icelandic National Horseshow, ing breeding, competition, and leisure
Most participants have some experi-
Landsmót Hestamanna, will be held in riding. Riding and training equipment
ence in competition riding. Most riders
the town of Hella from July 4-10. should always be used correctly with
also bring their own horses to the event,
Four years have passed since the last regard to proper maintenance, sizing and
but for applicants from overseas, good
Landsmót, which was held in Reykjavík fit, and with the education level of both
rental horses are available. For more
in 2018. Come and enjoy watching the the horse and rider in mind. FEIF’s rules
information see https://www.feif.org/
world’s best horses and riders compete. are built on the assumption of “correct
youth-work-dept/youth-cup/.
Iceland’s leading musicians will perform use,” with a few notable exceptions that
at the event, and a variety of Icelandic WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS are regarded as “prohibited equipment.”
food and products will be available in the Tickets are available now for the next Chapter G8 of the FEIF Rules and
market tents. Icelandic Horse World Championships, Regulations clearly describes what equip-
And if you are worried about the to be held in Oirschot, the Netherlands, ment is allowed and what equipment is
weather—don’t bother. The manager of August 8-13, 2023. Icelandic horse enthu- not allowed. These rules are applicable
Landsmót 2022, Magnús Benediktsson, for sport and breeding shows, and also for
siasts from around the world look forward
youth events like the FEIF Youth Cup. For
has made a binding contract with Ice- to this great Sport and Breeding event,
detailed information, an FAQ, and the
land’s weather gods. There will be good where we as a community can meet for
list of prohibited equipment, see https://
weather throughout the tournament! great horses, shopping, lectures, food,
www.feif.org/sport-dept/faq-sport/.
Tickets and campsites are now on drink, and company. We hope the whole
sale. Please check out the website www. Icelandic community will join us! For BLOOD FARMS CONDEMNED
landsmot.is or contact the organizers at more information and to enjoy the great On November 24, 2021, FEIF published
landsmot@landsmot.is if you have ques- early bird offer, see www.wc2023.nl. the following statement: “As the inter-
tions. Tickets purchased for the cancelled national Federation of Icelandic Horse
2020 Landsmót will be honored. See the NEW BLUP
Associations worldwide, FEIF condemns
website for details. New BLUP indices have been published
the practices and the mistreatment of
in WorldFengur for 465,461 Icelandic
mares on blood farms. We welcome a
FEIF YOUTH CUP horses. Of these, 34,499 horses had
decision of the European Commission to
The next FEIF Youth Cup is planned for records from an international breeding
stop the import and domestic production
July 23-31 at the Icelandic horse center assessment from the following countries:
of PMSG and support any action taken
Solfaxi in Switzerland. Solfaxi is a beautiful Iceland (21,416 horses), Sweden (4,266),
by the Icelandic authorities to stop this
stable about 30 minutes by car from Berne, Germany (3,534), Denmark (2,661), Nor-
procedure in Iceland completely.” (See
and it is well used to hosting big compe- way (1,213), Austria (346), Finland (289),
the story in this issue.)
titions. Details about costs, conditions of The Netherlands (292), USA (224), Can-
participation, Covid-19 requirements, and ada (117), Switzerland (102), and Great
other relevant information were published Britain (39).
on the FEIF website in February. BLUP indices in the Virtual Mate
The FEIF Youth Cup is arranged Selection tool will be updated later. The
every second year and consists of a week current calculation took into account 915
of intense training with respected instruc- horses genotyped for the DMRT3 gene.
ISSUE ONE 2022 • ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 15CLUB UPDATES
There are 13 Regional Clubs and one Activity stars of the show: their bright spirits,
Club affiliated with the U.S. Icelandic Horse fabulous riding, and teamwork left us
Congress. To find the Regional Club nearest all feeling optimistic about the future of
you, see the USIHC website at www.icelandics. our breed in the U.S. Amazing Emelia
org. The following clubs filed updates on their Stewart (only eight years old!) rode beau-
activities this quarter. tifully in multiple classes, scoring 6.0 on
Kani frá Feti in T8/Youth Tolt Finals, 5.75
CIA
on Leikur from Dalalif in V5/Novice Four
by Helga Sveinsdottir Thordarson Gait Finals, and an impressive 6.33 on
On November 6-7, the California Ice- Hrói frá Skardi in 3G/Three Gait Finals.
landic Association celebrated our first (Emmy also placed first and second in
in-person show in two years. The Fall CIA her age group in the #nostirrupnovem-
Open Show was hosted by Ásta and Will ber competition.)
Covert at their beautiful Flying C Ranch The audience was delighted by sev-
in Santa Ynez. This national ranking show eral fun events, including the Pairs Class,
was intimate and wonderful, with sunny which is judged on harmony and creativ-
blue skies and a happy sense of camarade- ity. Two teams (Bella Covert riding with
rie among our West Coast riders, trainers, her mom, Ásta, and Lucy Nold riding
and visitors. with her student, Emmy) danced around
Lucy Nold traveled 15 hours from the oval track to great music as the crowd
Oregon with five horses and two young cheered. The Halloween Costume/
students. Six horses from Northern Leadline class also left everyone smiling,
California were unable to attend at the with Bella Covert participating along Emmy Stewart on Kani frá Feti at the CIA Show.
last minute (due to a recent virus at with Emmy and Lulu Stewart.
their home stable and fall fires), but a Other highlights included Ásta Co- place in GHV-Green Horse Four Gait
great time was had by all despite small vert on Dynjandi frá Dalvík scoring 8.17 Finals, both scoring 6.13 (on Leikur
classes. Will Covert served as judge, and in T1-A Finals, Laurie Prestine scoring from Dalalif and Hilmir frá Ketilsstöðum,
the attendees were entertained by Keith 6.17 in T3-Tolt Finals on Straumur frá respectively).
Houston’s always engaging announcing Enni, and Lucy Nold with 6.30 on Stali Overheard from one trainer at the
and musical selections. from Fitjamyri in V1-Four Gait Finals. show: “We may have all forgotten how to
Our Youth riders were the shining Additionally, Lucy and Ásta tied for first
compete after two years, but we’re here to
support each other and that’s what mat-
ters!” The CIA Open was a lot of fun and
the attendees were grateful to be together
at long last.
In other club news, the CIA wel-
comes six new and returning members,
including Sandie Mortenson Weaver,
Sabrina Drake, Kimberly Hart, Alexandra
Montan Gray, Heather Skopik, and Helga
Thordarson. Virtual events and online
webinars continue to fill the gaps during
the pandemic. For example, Sandie par-
ticipated in two schooling classes (Plea-
sure Three Gait and Pleasure Tölt) for
the Fall Virtual Show on her 28-year-old
mare, Birta.
We look forward to seeing everyone
at the next CIA National Ranking Show,
at Flying C Ranch, on April 23-24. For
Youth riders are the future! Left to right, Emmy Stewart, Lulu Stewart, and Bella Covert in the CIA more information about the show, contact
Fall Open’s Costume Class, led by Lucy Nold and Ásta Covert. Ásta Covert (asta@tolt.net).
16 ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY • ISSUE ONE 2022FLUGNIR
by Dave Loftness
Autumn was splendid in the upper Mid-
west, allowing Flugnir members ample
camping opportunities and solid trail
riding.
Ann-Sofie Kruger, Jackie Alschuler,
and Eve and Dave Loftness participated
in the third and final 2021 Long Lake
Hounds Hunter Pace on the first week-
end of October. The ride traversed fields
and forests adorned in full fall splendor,
bordered by groomed executive prop-
erties. The pace on the bright day was
quick, with the four Icelandics placing
Flugnir member Kydee Sheetz rides Álfasyrpa from Aslan’s Country (born 2016) in this lovely
second yet again, barely a minute off the
home-bred mare’s first show, at the Ice Championships in Kentucky. Photo by Léttleiki Icelandics.
master’s time mark. Although the team’s
Icelandic horses had clipped coats they in V3-Four Gait, T5-Tölt, and Green FRIDA
finished sweaty, hot but healthy, enjoying Horse Tölt, repeating these placements by Marilyn Tully & Mary Schwarz
lush grasses as they cooled. Ann-Sofie all three days.
impressed all by riding the entire six-plus Members of the Frida Icelandic Riding
Eve Loftness hosted Carrie Lyons
miles without stirrups! Her muscles re- Club held an equine massage clinic at
Brandt and Terral Hill of Taktur Ice-
lived the feat over the next few days. Montaire Icelandics in Middleburg, VA
landics for a two-day riding clinic on
Katie Livingood competed in the Thanksgiving weekend at River Brink with Marjorie Lewis in September. Par-
Toppur Icelandic Sports Show at Harmo- Stables in River Falls, WI. On Day One, ticipants included Mary Schwarz, Julia
ny Icelandics in Iowa. Katie and Undrun Carrie instructed 10 different riders, Hutter, Julia’s daughters Isabella and
from Nordurstjarna won first in the beer focusing on the specific needs and desires Sophie, Pat Carballo, Antje Freygang,
tölt and trail competitions and third in Traci Bryant, Carrie Laurencot, and
of each rider/horse combo. Hot soups,
F1-Five gait. The sport show was judged
beverages, and snacks satiated all during
by Will Covert, and the competition was
the informative Q&A lunch break.
preceded by a breeding evaluation.
Day Two started with multiple group
Flugnir board member Kydee Sheetz,
lessons in liberty instruction, leading to
owner of Aslan’s Country Icelandics,
another hearty luncheon Q&A about
trailered from northern Minnesota to
liberty work and the Knapamerki riding
Kentucky for Lettleiki’s Triple World
system. The afternoon session had Carrie
Ranking Ice Championships. Kydee rode
and Terral each instructing five riders
four different horses and took top honors
in individual lessons. Warm and fuzzy
entertainment was provided by Heike
Schimmelpfenning, who brought a posse
of Aussie puppies. Three of the nine
furballs found loving homes: Carrie and
Terral, with the enthusiastic assistance
of their son Erik, picked out a blue-eyed
female whom Erik promptly named Blue
after the raptor in Jurassic World. Eve and
Dave adopted a blue merle female and
named her Sæla, the Icelandic word for
bliss. River Brink owner Pat Johnson and
family selected a red male and named
him David after David Bowie. All puppies Antje Freygang on Galdur frá Reykjavík at the
Kydee Sheetz and Álfasyrpa warm up before are healthy and happy and destined to Montaire Show in Virginia. Photo by Valerie
the Kentucky show. Photo by Deb Cook. become horse riding companions. Durbon.
ISSUE ONE 2022 • ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 17ing why it’s important to massage our
horses. She demonstrated various strokes
and techniques that promote circulation,
relaxation, and pain relief. She stressed
the importance of observing the horse’s
reactions and responses as you work your
way along its body. Licking and chewing
tells you the horse is releasing tension.
A soft eye indicates the horse is relaxed.
A change in the rhythm of its breathing
tells you something as well. Each horse
is unique and each releases tension in its
own ways.
Marjorie also emphasized the impor-
tance of learning about the equine muscu-
Arianna Deforge shows Friða frá Akranesi in lar system. She provided handouts of the
Pleasure Tölt at Montaire. Photo by Valerie different muscle groups. She then divided
Durbon. the participants into pairs, one doing the Julia Hutter and Ófeigur, winners of the Beer
Tölt at the Montaire Show.
massage and one observing, asking each
Millie Angelo. Marjorie is well known in
pair to make note of which areas elicited a venue in Middleburg, VA was attended
the Icelandic community as an expert on
reaction and would require further work. by many club members. Riders from
equine massage. She is said to have “magic
Paper bags filled with things that simulated Frida, including Suzi McGraw, Charlotte
hands” that help release tension and pain
lumps and bumps and grisly tissue were
in horses. Reilly, Lori Cretney, Mary Schwarz, Antje
used as props to enable the participants to
But hiring a professional like Marjorie Freygang, and Julia Hutter, brought home
learn to distinguish between healthy and
isn’t always possible for individual horse several ribbons. The show could not have
unhealthy tissue. The participants learned
owners. What we can do for our horses been as successful without the help of
to use kneading, rolling, chopping, and
instead is to attend clinics like this to learn many volunteers and donors, including
rubbing to break up tight and unhealthy
to read and understand where our horse is tissue. Virginia Lauridsen, Leslie Chambers,
holding tension and how to release it. The As Mary Schwarz noted, “One of the Amanda Malone, Kim Davis, Shelly
more we place our educated hands on our biggest takeaways for me was how inter- Sheerer, Barbara Fielden, Joy Smith, Julia
horses, the easier it becomes to identify connected the muscles are in the horse’s Hutter, Kelly Smith, Claire Wolfe, Sophia
what is helpful and effective. body. Seeing how tension in one area Koch, and Kathie Brockhouse. A sincere
Marjorie began the clinic by explain- could manifest symptoms in an entirely thank you to all.
different location helps me be more aware
of subtle changes in my own horses.”
In other news, Frida member Becky
Supinger came in first place in the
Icelandic Distance Riders North America
competition on Katla from Windsong, with
a grand total of 210 competitive miles. Lo-
cal endurance competitions usually begin
in March. To prepare, Becky says she and
her endurance rider friends spend January
walking up and down mountains. Becky
advises, “Mountain walking is strength
training for horses, since they learn to
maintain a steady speed while climbing
and also while traversing steep descents.”
The horses are then clipped in February
for trotting, tölting, and cantering work.
Congratulations, Becky!
Carrie Brandt shows Geysir frá Kvistum in T2- On October 23-24, the Montaire Ice- Ron Hoover races Kvika from Four Winds
Loose Rein Tölt. Photo by Valerie Durbon. landic Show at Antje Freygang’s beautiful Farm in P2-Pace. Photo by Valerie Durbon.
18 ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY • ISSUE ONE 2022HESTAFOLK
by Lisa McKeen
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are all
looking forward to spring and the USI-
HC’s new 2022 Sea 2 Shining Sea virtual
competition. Last year our member Alys
Culhane led the pack with the most S2SS
miles. Hestafolk had three S2SS teams;
two finished the 5,000-mile ride and the
third team was very, very close, while
being short two or three members. Way to
go Hestafolk!
We have four members riding regu-
larly with the Woodbrook Hunt Club out
of Tacoma, WA. Lauren and Andi won the
costume contest, with Lauren as a bee-
keeper and Andi as the bee! RJ West and
her posse served up an Icelandic breakfast
The Hestafolk Youth Club (left to right): Olivia and Systir from Silver Creek, Serenity Perigo and
for the last December ride day. They chose Bjarki from Extreme Farms, and Ashtyn McGuire and Lucy Greene with their Quarter Horse.
the menu based on the Icelandic folktale
of the Thirteen Yule Lads. It all began with mas trees donated and were able to buy where fewer and fewer people have the
RJ being the mischievous lad known as the Christmas dinner for one family, along resources to own a horse, we must reach
bjúgnakrækir (sausage-swiper). with presents for both families. The club out to the next generations to share the
Our Hestafolk Youth Club has been was very thankful to be able to help these healing that horses can bring.
very, very busy. We had massive flooding families out. The four girls in our club are We are all learners, and this com-
in Whatcom County this fall, and the Serenity, Lucy, Olivia, and Ashtyn, and the munity keeps us moving forward. There
Hestafolk Youth Club decided to sponsor horses they ride are Bjarki from Extreme are also some new things in the works for
two flood victim families this Christmas Farms, Systir from Silver Creek Icelandic, our club. We plan to have monthly Q&A
from the fundraiser money they had and Cowgirls Romeo (a Quarter Horse). learning conversations through Zoom, to
earned earlier. The group got two Christ- Other members are busy sharing hold an extended trail riding clinic this
their horses in a variety of ways. My mares
summer, and to meet in small groups at
teach beginning students the sweetness
the ocean, in the wine country of Yakima,
of Icelandic horses. The Icelandic owners
and on local trails as well.
at two different barns are ambassadors
to their stables. Our Youth Club meets at
Ashley Perigo’s place and gets time with
her Icelandics there.
Natasha Chornesky Pearson shares
Loki from Icelandic Meadows with her
whole neighborhood in Issaquah, WA.
Loki enjoys spending Fridays with the
kids. While Natasha works remotely from
home, her neighbor Krysta, who has rid-
den since she was a child, exercises Loki.
Some days, Krysta practices sidepasses,
circles, and serpentines in the arena; on
other days, she brings her daughter and
nieces, who all participate in grooming
Loki and wait patiently for a turn to take
Loki through an obstacle course of cones
spread out through the yard. Loki from Icelandic Meadows, owned by Nata-
Andi from Evans Farms and Lauren Murphy We hope for everyone to find ways sha C. Pearson of Issaquah, WA, enjoys spend-
tölting the hunt. Photo by Geoffrey Tyson. to share their love of horses. In a world ing Fridays with the kids in the neighborhood.
ISSUE ONE 2022 • ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 19NEIHC
by Jennifer Bergantino & Phebe Kiryk
NEIHC was an active club this past quar-
ter. At Merrimack Valley Icelandics (MVI)
in Boxford, MA, Caeli Cavanagh conduct-
ed Liberty training sessions in October.
In November, Ebba Meehan, Erika Tighe,
Brynja Meehan, and Kate Kalan present-
ed two breed demonstrations at Equine
Affaire. Later that month, Guðmar
Pétursson and Carrie Lyons Brandt held
a valuable and informative clinic that
gave several members an opportunity
to be tested on the Knapamerki Levels.
Congratulations to Andrea Smith, Ebba
Meehan, and Nancy Rohlfs on complet-
ing Level Three and to Erika Tighe on
completing Levels One and Two. Looking
forward, MVI would love to hear from
anyone interested in an Iceland trek
scheduled for August.
At Pepper Hill Farm in Owls Head, NEIHC members (left to right) Charity Simard, Sue Sundstrom, Anna Wallstrom, and Claudia
Burnham took their horses on a riding vacation in Vermont.
ME, MaryJo Brink and Michael Salmon
hosted a clinic with Jana Meyer.
and other times he picks it. I feel he really and made a plan.” Rachael is also writing
NEIHC member Ona Kwiatkowski
enjoys our new way of riding. It all showed a book about keeping senior horses, titled
took part in the No-Stirrup November
in our No-Stirrups performance. He was The Senior Horse Life.
Challenge. She reports, “2021 for Kjarkur
so light and responsive and did every- Furthering the popularity of Icelandic
and me was all about lightness, teamwork,
thing I asked of him effortlessly. He was horses in New England, our club had
listening to each other, and learning that
perfect! We scored a 26 and received 7th a highly successful showing at Equine
it is a give-and-take type situation. Some-
out of 17 riders in the amateur division.”
times on trails, I pick the route and speed,
Anat Stemmer happily reports that
“Birta is back [from training in Kentucky]
and I love having my after work ride at
night routine back. We also have been
doing liberty training and that is a lot of
fun.”
Charity Simard, Claudia Burnham,
Anna Wallstrom, and Jennifer Bergantino
brought their horses to Vermont for a
week of riding “and realized that horses
need some significant conditioning prior
to tackling the large hills and mountains
of the Green Mountain Horse Association
trails.” While in the area the group spent
the afternoon with NEIHC member Sue
Sundstrom.
Rachael Broadhurst and Deb Benanti
purchased their first Icelandic horses.
A friend found Óvart and Elska at a
cowboy ranch called Tuff Enuff Ranch
in Wisconsin, where the two horses were
Ona Kwiatkowski and Kjarkur took part in the being ridden bareback and bitless. Said Amelie Maranda competing on Fjöður frá Alf-
No-Stirrrups November challenge. Rachael, “We rode them for three days tanesi in Virginia. Photo by Damian Deforge.
20 ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY • ISSUE ONE 2022Icelandic Horse Club) for specifics about
cost and availability.
In addition, mark your calendars for
the August 26–28 fun show to be hosted
by the club at Lettleiki Icelandics. There
will be ribbons, prizes, and lots of fun!
We’ll have more details in the next issue
about some of our fun classes and many
of the traditional Icelandic classes as well.
(Hint: Beer tölt!)
As a club, we are fortunate to claim
geographic access to many world-class
trainers, training facilities, and Icelandic
horse herds. One of the recent highlights
of the region were the Ice Champion-
ships World Ranking Triple Shows held
at Lettleiki Icelandics in Shelbyville,
KY on October 1-3. Each day at the Ice
Championships is a separate show, and
Sirius Club members Carly Conley, Jeny
Feldner Schreiber, Julian Feldner, Paetra
Henninger, and Ron Hoover competed in
all three shows. Member Maggie Brandt,
as usual, had everything organized and
NEIHC members Barb Shaer and Joann Hayssen are known as the “Pink Ladies”: They dress to
be seen by bikers, hikers, and the occasional hunter they meet on the trails.
ready-to-go. She makes us all think that
hosting a big show is easy and enjoyable!
Affaire in Massachusetts this year. Emily SIRIUS Maggie was assisted by many volunteers,
Potts reports: “This year’s Equine Affaire by Janet Kuykendall who helped her keep things running
was a success due to the hard work and smoothly. Even though high winds caused
The members of the Sirius Ohio Kentucky the show to be moved to the indoor are-
volunteer time of Leah Greenberger,
Icelandic Horse Club are looking forward na, everything went on as planned.
Margot Apple, Maren Prenosil, Grace
to some major upcoming events. Our first
Greenberger, and John Prenosil. Every- Following the show on Saturday night,
is a booth at Equine Affaire in Columbus,
one answered questions, engaged with the Sirius Club show observers and com-
OH on April 7-10. If you’re attending the
attendees, and made sure our brochures petitors met to discuss ideas for our 2022
expo, please stop by and say hello! Club
and materials were well stocked. Leah club activities. Author, archer, and distance
members will be volunteering at the booth
organized and brought our incredible rider Christine Stewart Marks joined the
to enlighten all those who have questions
team of booth horses, Skati and Vaka. meeting to share information about the
about our wonderful horses.
Our equine superstars were friendly, per- trails in Indiana. (Christine had previously
It’s not too late to sign up for the
sonable, and unflappable throughout the club-sponsored Liberty Clinic on April 30
whole weekend. I can’t tell you how many and May 1 at Taktur Icelandics in Crest-
times someone stopped at the booth to wood, KY. Clinician Carrie Lyons Brandt
say, ‘My friend has an Icelandic horse!’ So always presents a fun-filled and education-
thanks to Leah and all our volunteers for al event that is overflowing with training
sharing the joy of your horses.” help. Join us as we learn how to create a
NEIHC signed up a slew of new conversation with our horses at liberty.
members this quarter, and we welcome Since this training was originally devel-
them all. In club administration news, oped for horses used in Hollywood movies,
2022 is an election year; by the time this it could open all sorts of new career paths
report is published, we will have a new for our Icelandics! The clinic is also much
Board of Directors. We look forward more than the in-person training segment.
to hosting in-person events this year, It includes hands-on lessons, both online
especially our NEIHC Open Sport Show and offline, for all participants. Check out Sirius member Carley Conley competes at the
in June. our Facebook page (Sirius Ohio Kentucky Ice Championships in October.
ISSUE ONE 2022 • ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY 21and Shawn Jackson, Patrick and Mary Neil,
Nancy Radebaugh, and Constance and
Rob Wilmoth. The Sirius Club again held a
Saturday night 2022 planning meeting. All
present were in favor of riding at Hocking
Hills again in 2022 because there’s still so
much to explore!
Several Sirius Club members finished
off October with a trip to the Frida Club
show at Montaire Icelandics in Middle-
burg, VA. Members Ron Hoover on Kvika
from Four Winds Farm and Carrie Lyons
Brandt on Stjarna frá Stokkalæk, could not
out-pace Heidi Benson on Strokkur frá
Syðri-Gegnishólum. But what fun it was to
see! Fast horses and fun competition ended
the show season in the eastern U.S.
Congratulations to Jaime Jackson,
who took second in the world in the FEIF
Tour Rider Cup! (See the article in this
issue.) Keep up the good work!
Sirius members Shawn Jackson and Nancy Radebaugh on a trail ride in Hocking Hills, OH.
And finally, Nancy Radebaugh and
Gunnar, her Rockstar horse, never cease
met many of our members at the 2021 We had our largest turnout of 2021, with
to amaze! Nancy submitted a very impres-
Indy Run Endurance Ride in May, as well 11 members attending. All of our riders
sive winter photo of Gunnar grazing be-
as at archery clinics at Léttleiki Club mem- and our steady Icelandics rode 29 miles to
side a pond for a contest with Kauffman’s
bers completed surveys that will determine destinations with such names as Conkle’s Premium Equine Supplements. Gunnar
the club’s activities in the future, and there Hollow, Red Rock, Indian Head, 21 Horse won the coveted calendar cover slot, and
was a great deal of discussion regarding Cave, and Table Top Rock. A fun highlight Kauffmann’s sent Nancy a 100-day supply
future trail riding events. of the weekend was when Debbie Faver’s of Integri-Hoof. Nancy and Gunnar also
On October 8-10, the Sirius Club husband Ralph filmed all of the Icelandics participated in two holiday parades, win-
completed the last group ride and camp- and riders tölting out of camp. It was an ning a trophy for Best Animal Group with
out of 2021 at Pine Creek Horseman’s impressive group, including Debbie, Shellie Nancy and five mounted friends dressed
Camp at Hocking Hills in southeast Ohio. Grayhavens, Ron and Sherry Hoover, Jaime as tin soldiers. Way to go, Nancy!
Members of the Sirius Club getting ready for another trail ride at Pine Creek Horseman’s Camp in Hocking Hills, OH.
22 ICELANDIC HORSE QUARTERLY • ISSUE ONE 2022You can also read
