Icelandic Horse Festival in Reykjavik has been confirmed

The Icelandic Horse Festival has been confirmed this year to take place between 26th March and 2nd April, across various venues in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. The festival is suitable for horse enthusiasts of all ages, with parades, horse-farm visits, movies, fairs and more.

The Icelandic Horse is a widely celebrated pure-breed of horse by enthusiasts across the world. Although the origin of the breed was mixed, today this is one of the most purebred horse breeds in the world, due to its isolation. The breed has remained pure for over a thousand years and today there is only one breed of horse in Iceland. Horses have also been an integral part throughout Icelandic history, in fact the Icelandic Horse can be traced right back to the settlement of Iceland in the late 9th century.

These special horses are renowned for their unique characteristics and build. Although sometimes considered to be pony size, Icelandic Horses are extremely strong, efficient and muscular, but still hold a soft manner – making them suitable for riders of any age. They are extremely intelligent, good-tempered, versatile and beautiful too. The Icelandic Horse is the most colourful breed in the world, with over 40 different colours and over 100 variations.

One of the most distinguishing features is their gaits. The breed is a ‘five-gaited’ breed, known for its sure-footedness and ability to cross rough terrain. An Icelandic Horse can perform the most common gaits: walk, trot, and canter/gallop, but also the additional gait known as the ‘tolt’. The ‘tolt’ is a four-beat ambling gait known for its acceleration and speed, as well as being comfortable and ground covering.

The Icelandic Horse Festival is set to take place this year between 26th March and 2nd April across Reykjavik, and will celebrate the Icelandic Horse breed. During the festival, numerous activities and showcases will be taking place. Highlights are set to include ‘tolt-riding’ competitions; trips to the best breeding farms in Iceland; horse shows; markets and crafts; and the ‘gobbidigobb’ family fair, where the whole family can enjoy horseback-riding, art, and music performances in downtown Reykjavik.

The festival finale is set to be an exciting ‘ice-tolt’ competition, called ‘All The Strongest’, at the Reykjavik skating hall in Laugardalur. Here spectators will be dazzled by the ‘créme-de-la-créme’ of Icelandic horses performing the famous ‘tolt’ gait on ice.

To find out more regarding the Icelandic Horse Festival, visit www.icelandichorsefestival.is. To learn about Icelandic Horses in more detail, visit www.icehorse-experience.is/en/home.

Furthermore, for more information on what Iceland has to offer, visit www.inspiredbyiceland.com.