Spend a day (or two) with a great teacher before setting out on tour!
Finally! an easy answer to the question - "But can't I learn to ride in Iceland?" "Yes!"Horses North is pleased to be working with Benidikt Benidiktsson, a well regarded teacher and trainer in southern Iceland. As a trainer and member of FT, Iceland's professional trainers association, for many years, Beni has long known that many non-Icelanders can use a little help to ride their best in Iceland, and can take that teaching back home. He's taught in Iceland, Scotland and Europe and is now offering a one day riding clinic for Americans.
This day long riding clinic is ideal for riders new to Icelandic horses who would like to try them under more restrained conditions than are available on most riding tours. It will also be of great use to those who've gone on a riding tour, and want a bit of teaching to refine their skills while they are still fresh. It's good for families with children, and also terrific for riders who've taken a day ride and are considering a longer tour into the countryside.
Kvistir is in the town of Hveragerdi, with its hot springs, and bird life. It's an easy bus ride from Reykjavik to Hverdagerdi, where you will be picked up and taken to the farm. Like many Icelanders Beni and his wife Elsa train their horses in their barn, and then ride out onto nearby public riding trails for more schooling and exercise. At the end of the program they'll take you back to the bus, or we can arrange for you to spend the night in a nearby guest house and proceed in the morning. The riding clinic can also be taken for two days. The extra time allows you to explore more complex riding skills under Beni's guidance and maybe learn a few more subtleties.
The Kvistir Riding Clinic is a day long affair, with demonstrations, theory discussions, lunch, and of course, some riding to put your skills to use. The actual content of a days clinic will be influenced by the riders skills and wishes, the weather and other activities around the farm, but here's a general description of the Kvistir Riding Clinic.
Around 10 AM the clinic with start with coffee and introductions, There will be a tour of the barn and training area, and an introduction to the horses that Beni has for training and riding..
Beni will demonstrate the gaits and uses of his horses, and also show how he starts and works with young and untrained horses. Clinic participants will have an hour riding near the barn to try their own hand with the horses. An Icelandic lunch will be served around 1:00 PM. This will be followed by a theory discussion, with videotapes to demonstrate gaits, training, riding and problem solving. A longer ride, from Kvistir down towards the sea will take place in the afternoon, as riders cross Route 1 and enjoy the horses gaits along smooth trails. There will be a stop for coffee along the way. More discussion and instruction will take place, before the day ends around 6 PM. At this point Beni or Elsa will take riders back to the bus, or if they've elected to spend the night, to a nearby guest house or hotel.
The price for the clinic varies by number of participants. The cost for one person is $260 for a day, while that for 2 to 4 is $ 240 per person, and the cost per person for 5 is $205. The maximum number of participants is 6.
The Kvistir Riding Clinic can easily be added onto a longer tour - and it will be a good preparation for a big ride. Horses North can also put together a tour that includes the Kvistir Riding Clinic and sightseeing and other riding tours, with accommodations and transfers, as well as round trip airfare, on Icelandair. Kvistir is a great way to start or finish a riding trip to Iceland!
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Millerton,NY 12546 Toll Free 888 686-6784 Fax: 518 789-3348 |