A m e l i a W a p p e t t o n D r a u m e r f o rS a n c t i o n e d S h o w

C a m e r a - B r y a n M u l d e r

ALASKAICELANDIC

HORSEASSOCIATION

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9

ANCHORAGE FAIRBANKSFAIRBANKS

Robin Marquiss on StormurSusan Tilly on ManadisMary Sackinger on BurkniCamera - Mary Sackinger

SUMMER TRAILb y M i s t y C i r c l e T a k i n g y o u n g h o r s e s a l o n g o nr i d e s i s a g r e a t w a y t o g e t t h e mu s e d t o t h e t r a i l . F r a n k S i h l e ro n G j o f , M i s t y C i r c l e o n F u z z y ,a n d M a g n u s o n h i s f i r s t w a t e rc r o s s i n g .C a m e r a - C l a u d i a S i h l e r

V o l 1 8 I s s u e 1

Fall Trail Rides

Amelia Wappett on DraumerKerry Wappett on Skrugi Sylvi (a friend) on  Glyrna Wells Wappett on RandverCamera - Mary Sackinger

Janet Mulder on NjallCamera - Robyn Schmutz

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9

STEINAR CLINICb y R o b y n S c h m u t z

We had nice cool weather for our clinic with Steinar Sigurbjornssonthis year which was quite a relief after several weeks of scorching heat.There was a total of 10 riders in the clinic, as well as several riders whotook lessons the Thursday before. Steinar focuses on the mental stateof the horse and making sure they are in a positive mindset. One ofmy favorite things I heard him say during someone's lesson was, "...justlet him go, don't try to control much of where he is going. Just go withhim and smile and say wow you are such a creative horse!" Steinar hasbeen to Alaska many times now to teach his clinic, and we hope tohave him back again! Hope you all have a wonderful winter with yourfuzzy friends!

P a g e 2

TÖLT IN HARMONY CLINICb y H a l e y   W e h r h i e m

The Trausti Clinic took place in July 13 & 14, and focused primarily on riding patterns that would help riders workon specific goals with their horses. My goal was to improve my horses gaits by getting her to be more flexible in hermovements. I found that Trausti primarily focuses on the horses movements to find imbalances, and then helps therider by sharing techniques that could improve those imbalances. What I found the most interesting about the clinicis how Trausti combines older more common techniques with newer ones. For example, Trausti uses patterns toimprove flexibility or to attempt to correct imbalances. I find this is a newer method of riding, when we considerthat flexibility and balance was not usually taught a while ago when less was known about the breed. As far as olderways of teachings Trausti strongly presents the idea that the horse needs guidance and the rider should be the bossof the horse. This is what I’ve heard ever since I first sat on a horse and often something that I point out to friends oryoung riders when they first start being around horses. If you want to learn more about Trausti and Tölt inHarmony you can visit his website, www.Trausti.org .

R o b y n S c h m u t z o n V o n d u r i n g c l i n i c . S t e i n a r s i t t i n g i nb a c k g r o u n d g i v i n g i n s t r u c t i o n t o B e r n i e W i l l i s o n V o nC a m e r a - B r y a n M u l d e r

H a l e y W e h r h i e m o n E l s a f o rs c h o o l i n g s h o w i n A u g u s tC a m e r a - B r y a n M u l d e r

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9 P a g e 3

2019 FOALSb y J e a n n e t t e W i l l i s

Gustur from Arctic Arrow, coltBorn May 22, 2019Dam Prinsessa frá Sigríðarstöðum Sire Ari from Arctic ArrowBreeder Bernie WillisOwner Dan Coverdell Helga from AK Ice Farm, fillyBorn June 21, 2019Dam Víktoria from Creekside Farm Sire Njáll frá Flugumýri IIBreeder Janet MulderOwner Janet Mulder

Helga is on the left, Gustur on the right,Prinsessa in the background.Camera -Bryan Mulder

PRINSESSA 1993-2019b y B e r n i e W i l l i s

Many years ago while practicing breeding judging inIceland the Icelandic leader of the breeding programsuggested to me that the best and least expensive wayto improve my horses at home was to buy the bestmare I could afford, breed her four years in Iceland tothe best stallions available and then take them allhome. Prinsessa was chosen because of her gaits, power, andmanners on the ground. Her hooves were excellentand she was never a problem to shoe. Anyone whosaw me ride her knew she had power that only a fewcould appreciate and enjoy. As a five gaited horse shepreferred tolt and had a soft trot. Her endurance wasincredible. She easily became pregnant and with herlast foal also allowed another foal to suckle as well.She will be missed but her heritage will continuethrough these descendants: Rauthetta IS2005258629,Njall IS2006158629, Farandi IS2007158629, PrinsUS2008103843, Sigla US2013205010, GusturUS2019105424. Second generation foals includeGlyrna US2009205419, Tryggur US2016105176, BlikkaUS2018205381, Lundi US2010104433, OrriUS2014104991, Kria TBD and Helga TBD. Monday morning September 16, I was admiring thefoals and mares while the water tank filled that lastfew inches. Most of the day was taken with errands inAnchorage then when I went out to feed in theevening she had passed. Covered with dirt she hadbeen rolling and most likely died from a twisted gut.Their lives are fragile, enjoy and love them while wecan.

ODE TO PRINSESSAb y E l l e n H a l v e r s o n

You have left this earth below, but your spirit and drivecontinue to grow, as your sons and daughters grace ourland, your DNA in theirs , it is the future we know. We who watched  you through the years tolt on the track, saw energy in motion, such a beauty to behold, flyingsteadfast like an arrow from a bow.   But your soul, your very essence,  that will be so missed,by the  rider you carried,  memories of  rides  together, harmony in motion for man and horse.   Thank you gracious Prinsessa, for your time on thisearth.

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9

Alaska Icelandic Horse Association member Frank Sihler isnumber four in the United States Horseback Archery NationalRankings with a final score of 61.95% (more information here). Ifhe maintains this ranking he will represent the United States innext year’s world championship in France. In 2016, mounted archery appealed to him because he wanted tobe a better rider, but didn’t want to be confined to an arena andtraditional riding lessons. He says of mounted archery, "I like thefine balance with archery and seat on a horse while not holdingthe reigns." Frank's advice, "...if you want to start mounted archery you needto work on your ability to shoot a bow and arrow. ...and todesensitize the horse to accept the shooting nearby and whileriding. ...it can take a long time."

P a g e 4

F r a n k S i h l e r o n K a t l ap r o v i d i n g a m o u n t e d a r c h e r yd e m o n s t r a t i o n f o r s a n c t i o n e ds h o w i n S e p t e m b e r a t A r c t i cA r r o w F a r mC a m e r a - J a n e t M u l d e r

MOUNTED ARCHERYb y M e l i s s a B a s s h a m

KATLA -N a m e d a f t e r t h e v o l c a n ou n d e r t h e M ý r d a l s j ö k u l li c e c a pC h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t h a t m a k eh e r g r e a t f o r t h i s s p o r t :e a s y t o t r a i n , e n j o y s t h es p r i n t s , w i l l i n g n e s s , i nt u n e w i t h t h e r i d e r ,s m o o t h , a n d l o t s o f s p e e d2 6 y e a r s o l dS i h l e r ' s h a v e o w n e d h e rf o r f i v e y e a r sS t a r t e d h e r c a r e e r a s am o u n t e d a r c h e r y h o r s e a t2 5 y e a r s o l dS h e i s o n e o f t h e t o ph o r s e s i n t h e U S f o rm o u n t e d a r c h e r y

FRANK BY THE NUMBERS1 0 - n u m b e r o f s e c o n d s i t t a k e s t o c o m p l e t e a r a c e3 0 0 - l e n g t h i n f e e t o f t h e t r a c k  3 - t o t a l t a r g e t s i n a c o m p e t i t i o n ( s o m e t i m e s 4 )1 . 8 - n u m b e r i n s e c o n d s l o a d i n g t h e a r r o w f r o m t h e q u i v e r1 5 , 0 0 0 - n u m b e r o f m i l e s c l o c k e d w i t h h o r s e s i n t h e t r a i l e r t h i sy e a r   d r i v i n g   t o   c o m p e t i t i o n s  6 - n u m b e r o f I c e l a n d i c H o r s e s ( m a n y f r o m A I H A m e m b e r s ' h o r s e s ) i n t h e S e c o n dA n n u a l A l a s k a M o u n t e d A r c h e r y C o m p e t i t i o n t h i s s u m m e r . T h i s c o m p e t i t i o n b o a s t s t h em o s t I c e l a n d i c h o r s e s i n a c o m p l e t i o n i n t h e w h o l e w o r l d ( I c e l a n d d o e s n o t c o m p e t e i nM o u n t e d A r c h e r y ) .

P a g e 4O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9

HJARTA, SVEAHARVEY, & HJARTAMINIC a m e r a - H a r v e y F a m i l y

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9 P a g e 5

MY EXPERIENCE AT THENAYC 2019G r a c e P a w l a k

The NAYC 2019 exposed me to so many things I could not even imagine.  Throughout the week I metso many amazing people that I will never forget.  We made friendships that will last for a life time,whether it was from cleaning saddles together, or practicing for the Knapamerki dressage test, orwarming up together before the show. In that week we built each other up preparing for thesanctioned show, we learned how to work and cooperate with people we have never even met before.Even being the “newbie” to Icelandic horses, everyone welcomed me with open arms.  While training and practicing at Red Feather, we were introduced to so many amazing, high-class,trainers that wanted to see us succeed with our goals. Each trainer focused on something different forme, but at the end of the week I put all their lessons together and was blown away by how far I hadcome from the beginning of that week.  Just from being around so many people from across NorthAmerica, I learned about all the Icelandic communities everywhere. Turns out there are a lot moreIcelandic horse riders in the U.S. than I thought!

G r a c e P a w l a k a n d h e r h o r s e E r p af r o m F i t j a m y r i a t Y o u t h C u pC a m e r a - Q u i n n T o m a s h o w

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9

P a g e 6

The sanctioned show at Red Feather was the first showI had ever done! I was pretty nervous but also reallyexcited. I learned how to clean the tack properly andprepare myself for the show. Every time someonefinished a class, everyone cheered and congratulatedthem. Everyone was so supportive and encouragingthat I had nothing to fear, my team leader helped mewarm up as well as my friends loosening me up. For me as a rider, my goal was to learn as much as Ipossibly could in that week. The trainers pushed me todo the best I could, my friends encouraged me on, andmy team leader gave me great advice.  I had anIcelandic horse sitting at home waiting to be ridden.No one in my family knew how to ride her except forme when I came back home. Now Sal and I go on trailrides all the time and I feel more confident and knowexactly how to handle her and ride her correctly.  Iplan on getting as much of an education as I can get inriding Icelandic horses. Icelandic riding has spurred anew love for me in riding horses.

AIHA SHOWb y L e e A n n G a r r i c kC a m e r a t h i s p a g e - B r y a n M u l d e r

It was a family affair for this year’s AIHAsponsored Sanctioned Show SaturdaySeptember 14th and Sunday September 15th.Staged at the idyllic Arctic Arrow Farm, thisyear’s Sanctioned Show featured a wide rangeof riders and technical abilities. Icelandic horseshow judge Peter Jokull Hakanarson and hiswife flew in from Reykjavik, Iceland to lead thecompetition scoring. Sanctioned Show Day One includedpreliminary tests demonstrating a variety ofrider skills and experience. Crowd favoritesdisplayed their precision and training in eventslike the Five-Gait and their fun talents in eventslike the Lemonade Tolt and Trail competition.In the afternoon the group was delighted towatch a Mounted Archery demonstration byFrank Sihler exhibiting the importance of thehorse and rider connection. Marj Weatherskept the show schedule on track with herdelightful show announcements.  (Continued on next page.)

I n f r o n t M i a M u l d e r o n K a p p i h o l d i n g t h eA m e r i c a n F l a g a n d I r i s G a r r i c k w a l k i n g b e s i d ew i t h a l l p a r t i c i p a n t s f o l l o w i n g f o r O p e n i n gC e r e m o n y

P a g e 7O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9

F r o m L e f t t o R i g h t - A m e l i a W a p p e t t o n D r a u m e r ,C i r r u s B u n n o n K a p p i w i t h I r i s G a r r i c k( s t a n d i n g ) , K o e n M u l d e r o n K o l f i n a , E l l aC h y t h l o o k o n N e b b i , H a l e y W e h r h e i m o n E l s a , a n dE l l e n H a l v e r s o n o n L i l y f o r T r a i l C o u r s e

K e r r y W a p p e t t o n S k r ö g g u r

W e l l s W a p p e t t o n G l y r n a( C a m e r a c r e d i t - J o e l S c h m u t z )

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9 P a g e 8

AIHA SHOW CONT.C a m e r a t h i s p a g e - J o e l S c h m u t z

The second day of the Sanctioned Show testedriders in final events like the Two-Gait and YouthTolt and delightful classics like the Flag Race andthe Ribbon Race. This second day was when thecrowd saw its first 6.0 tied score for riding fromJanet Mulder and Bernie Willis. Despite the rainyweather, the crowd was charmed by announcerMelissa Bassham and there were overwhelmingcheers as riders took their victory laps. One of the most enjoyable parts of this year’sshow was the generational love for Icelandichorses demonstrated by family memberscompeting with and against one another. Thenumber of young riders is an indication that theIcelandic breed will have ambassadors for yearsto come. From the father-daughter competitionbetween Bernie Willis on Von and Janet Mulderon Prins to the ribbon-race mother-daughterteam of Denise Chythlook on Brenna and EllaChythlook on Nebbi and the consistentexceptional performances by Wappett andMulder families, the 2019 Sanctioned Showcelebrated a true appreciation of Icelandic horsesand riders.  Many of the riders were prepared in theschooling show on August 18th under judge LucyNold of Five-Gait Farm. Ellen Halverson said,“Lucy provided very helpful feedback and helpedour riders and their horses prepare for thesanctioned show.” In addition to the generosity of competitors andspectators to bring lunch to share, we’d like tothank our tireless volunteers and our gracioussponsors: Eaglewood Equestrian Supplies, FlyingC Ranch, Carney Carvings, Arctic Arrow Farm,and AK Ice Farm.  Final Sanctioned Show scores are available at:https://alaskaicelandics.org/competition We look forward to seeing you riding in thearena or cheering from the stands in 2020.

L e f t p h o t o - N i k k i B e c k o n K o l f i n a ( C a m e r a c r e d i t B r y a n M u l d e r )R i g h t p h o t o - K a r l i S c h m u t z o n M i n j a

L e f t p h o t o - D e n i s e C h y t h l o o k o n B r e n n a a n dE l l a C h y t h l o o k o n N e b b i f o r R i b b o n R a c e .R i g h t p h o t o - I r i s G a r r i c k o n K a p p i f o r F l a gR a c e

E - n e w s l e t t e r E d i t o r - M e l i s s a B a s s h a mC o n t a c t - m n b a s s h a m @ g m a i l . c o m

F r o m L e f t t o R i g h t - J a n e t M u l d e r o n P r i n s ,P e t e r J o k u l l H a k a n a r s o n , B e v S h o r t ( u n d e rr e d t e n t ) , B e r n i e W i l l i s o n V o n , P e r l a M a r í aJ ó n s d ó t t i r , a n d H a l e y W e h r h i e m o n E l s a