The country with the chilly name is rapidly becoming one of the hottest destinations in Europe. Much of Iceland’s popularity is due to its natural features, which include glaciers, hot springs, blue geysers, active volcanoes, red sulpher, snow-capped peaks, vast lava deserts, rivers, waterfalls and green valleys.

Iceland is the second largest island in Europe and stretches 500km east to west and 300km north to south. It is situated in the Atlantic Ocean northwest of Scotland, west of Norway and south east of Greenland. Over half the country is above 400m, with the highest point, Hvannadalshnukur, rising to 2119m. Only 21% of the island is considered arable and habitable. The bulk of Iceland’s population and agriculture is concentrated in the southwest between Reykjavik and Vik.

Icelandic Horses
The Vikings first brought horses to Iceland in year 874 – 930. Because of Iceland’s geographic isolation, the horse has been kept purebred in Iceland for over 1000 years. Life without horses would have been unthinkable. The horse carried inhabitants, who counted on their stamina and sense of direction, over wide lava fields and rough, mountain tracks and acted as a bridge crossing powerful glacial rivers.

In an often harsh environment, only the fittest individuals survived and the Icelandic horse is very healthy and tough. It is strong and sure-footed, has great temperament and stamina and a very good character. Icelandic horses are fully adult at seven years and can reach a very high age, being ridden until they are well into their twenties. Today there are some 80,000 horses in Iceland. Icelandic horses are bred as 5-gaiters with walk, trot and gallop, tolt and pace, of which tolt is the most popular. In tolt the horse moves its legs in the same sequence as in walk. With one foot
always in contact with the ground, the tolt is a very comfortable and pleasant gait that can reach high speeds.

Icelandic horses are about 13hh and can carry up to 22 stone. They are undemanding, hardy, strong and willing. This horse made it possible for people to travel across this difficult country, to carry goods from farms to the trading posts and back. The Icelandic horse is smaller than most of the continental breeds, but even the most demanding rider soon forgets this on the back of a well bred steed, which carries him thorough the Icelandic countryside at a smooth tolt of flying pace. This is a natural pace and has not been produced by training.

Iceland has a relatively mild and equable climate, despite its high altitude and its proximity to the Arctic. It is remarkable for the number of volcanoes, craters, glaciers and thermal springs. Reindeer were introduced in around 1770 and there are approximately 100 species of birds. Whales and seals live along the coasts, together with cod, halibut, haddock and herring, and many trout and salmon thrive in Iceland’s freshwater rivers and lakes.

The population of Iceland is around 260,000, with 90% living in cities and towns, notably the capital Reykjavik. Less than 1% of the land area is cultivated. Livestock rearing is a major occupation with considerable quantities of dairy products, wool, mutton, lamb and chicken eggs produced. Fishing and fish exports are the most important Icelandic industries.

Each days riding will be approximately 30km, and about 7 hours in the saddle (including breaks and refreshments for both horse and rider!) The routes will be both exciting and challenging for riders, fording glacial rivers on horseback being a regular feature of the event. Negotiating glacial rivers, riding along the seashore and climbing mountainous trails make for a varied and action packed event, requiring a good level of fitness from participants.Participants will also be responsible for caring for their horses throughout the ride and will ride two or three horses each day. Evening camps will be set up at suitable holding areas for the horses. Once horses are fed and watered, participants can feast on traditional Icelandic dishes and enjoy the beauty of near–daylight skies.

The BHS Icelandic Challenge 2006, in aid of BHS Welfare, is certainly going to be an unforgettable experience for all participants: herding a hundred plus Icelandic horses across the most challenging terrains and inspiring landscapes.