In 2000, the Vermont Icelandic Horse Club held a show that turned out to be as much regional as local. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day in August, just the kind of day when a cold one is really appreciated.
Category: Icelandics in the USA
Costume Class
In 2000 there was a show in Vermont with a great costume class. Although not a traditional Icelandic event, the American costume class allows children of all ages to participate in some supportive and non-competitive fun. What is traditional Icelandic is how well these horses care for some of their scary-looking riders
An Icelandic in a Dressage World (He’s the little guy)!
Thokki, a 5 y/o Icelandic gelding, had been started the previous year. Sarah decided it would be a good training experience for him to get out in the large-horse world and, if he would suppress his energetic tolt, ride a couple of dressage programs. He was the only Icelandic there. We had a very pleasant surprise!
Gudmar Meets Thokki
To me, this session is a Rosetta Stone, the link between classical dressage and Icelandic gait training. I think it would be very helpful for riders and trainers with “regular” horse backgrounds to view a few times if they want a bridge to understand tolt. I hope that it can also be used to introduce…Continue reading Gudmar Meets Thokki
A Tolt Party
This was a triple header: birthdays for Martina Gates and Kristjan Kristjansson (I’ll be discreet and leave it at that because they don’t look or act their age) and the opening of Thor Icelandics. Most of the people you see are members of the Northeast Icelandic Horse Club. I just thought it would make a…Continue reading A Tolt Party
Loose Rain Tolt…
“Loose Rain Tolt” a little diversion of whether or not these are dedicated horse people or just don’t have enough sense to come in out of the rain. Your call…. And a souvenir album….
Bettering the Breed Through Evaluations
A documentary record of an early breed evaluation in the USA, held in Wisconsin in 2004. It was also an outstanding educational event and can still serve as a model for public outreach.
Mill Farm Evaluations 2006
An Icelandic breeding horse evaluation held under ideal circumstances at Mill Farm in 2006. Lots of young horses were introduced. And so was a young rider!
Sheep Dressage
First of all, let me make it clear that this is not Dressage for Icelanders! My experience is that dressage may be coming to Iceland, but it lies becalmed offshore. I do not consider suppling exercises such as shoulder in, leg yields, etc., dressage. Perhaps an onshore wind will blow. I think a pretty good…Continue reading Sheep Dressage
Turkey Tölt
A local American club goes out for a Fall ride. But thanks to the Internet and an international association, we were joined by a rider from far away. She started as a stranger and now is a good friend.