QUALIFICATION:

I graduated as a riding teacher from the Icelandic Equestrian University, Hólaskóli, in 2001. Since then I have been teaching both within Iceland and abroad. In 2005 I qualified as a high-school teacher from the University of Akureyri.

MY PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING:

The teacher needs to work in cooperation with the student to set goals for his/her training. I believe it is extremely important that there is a good understanding between the students and teacher. The students should feel comfortable, both with the teacher and within the group, they should feel free to ask questions at any stage and discuss what they have learned and experienced.

I always try my best to ensure that my students understand what I want them to do, how it should work and why. I try my best to explain every exercise thoroughly as well as any advice that I give. For most people riding is a leisure activity and the teacher needs to keep in mind that the student should feel comfortable and have fun while learning something new! I always strive to improve the relationship between the horse and rider and hope that both the horses and the riders feel good in my lessons.

CURRENT TEACHING:

Currently I offer riding lessons and other services at Hestakot in Co.Clare, Ireland, where I live with my family, but I also travel to give riding-courses as well as other seminars in various other countries, including Austria, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Australia, and USA. As a teacher in Hólaskóli from 2006-2009 I taught courses concerning “Behaviour of Horses and young horse pretraining” and the “The History of Riding”. 

Although not judging breeding shows anymore, I remain well connected and informed in that field and still give advice or consult regarding breeding program and breeding shows. 

Also I am deeply interested in various research around horses, not least anything related to biomechanics of horses, and the topics below are some examples and ideas of what I offer seminars in:

 

Behaviour science of horses

Biomechanics of horses 

How horses learn

Riders seat and balance

Dressage exercises and how to use them

Feeding and nutrition

History of the art of riding

History of Icelandic horse breeding 

History of the Icelandic horse

Genetics of Icelandic horse colours

Various gaits of the Icelandic horse

The use of WorldFengur database

Pretraining of young horses

Individual breeding program 

Difference in training a 3 gaiter and a 5-gaited horse

– and more.

If you would like to book a course/seminar or simply come for a lesson, please get in contact with me.