Certified Trainers

Going back in time...

Until a few years ago, the only way to get certified as an Icelandic horse instructor and trainer was to go to Europe and to get certified going through a European program . a rather costly, time consuming and difficult option for most of us especially considering the need to speak the local language.

Historically, The main certifying countries for trainers working in the US were Iceland and Germany.

FEIF and its role in the trainer education

FEIF (International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations) aims for an international acknowledgement of comparable qualifications and invited its member countries to sign an agreement accordingly. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA originally signed the agreement.

At the same time, FEIF developed an education matrix to provide a guideline for minimum requirements for established trainer programs in member countries and help other countries form programs.

 

The Connection

Trainers and instructors certified in all participating FEIF member countries are listed on the FEIF web site. Each trainer or instructor is listed with the FEIF level equavalent to his national title. For example, an individual holding a German "Trainer C" certification from IPZV is listed on the FEIF site as "FEIF Level 1".

Certified Trainers and Instructors in the US

Throughout the US, there are a growing number of individuals who have been educated specifically in training the Icelandic Horse. As a service to our members, we would like to list all certified trainers within the US and provide a summary of the most common certification programs. Much of the information available on the Internet from these sources is not available in English. The USIHC has developed an overview of these trainer programs to help Icelandic Horse owners by providing this resource.

This information was prepared and reviewed in the spring of 2009. It is not intended to be an exhaustive comparison of the programs; but to serve as an overview of the relative levels of education offered:

Individuals who have completed the necessary requirements to be certified by one of these programs are listed below. The Congress does not endorse any of these individuals. This information is provided as a resource for Icelandic Horse owners in their search for trainers. You should interview any potential trainer to confirm the trainer's experience is appropriate for you and your horse. Please contact education@icelandics.org if you believe any of the following information is factually inaccurate.

Alex Montan Gray
850 Morning Sun Dr
Encinitas, CA 92024
858-250-9290
BSci in Horse Training and Riding Instruction, USIHC Sport Judge B, Gæðingakeppni Judge
Alexandra Dannenmann
Global Icelandic Horse Services LLC
10551 Deal Road
North Fort Myers, FL 33917
239-223-5403
FEIF International Sport Judge A, FEIF Trainer/Instructor of the year 2017
Alexandra Pregitzer
730 Phillips Drive
Oxford, MI 48371
(608) 436-1751
USIHC Sport Judge B
Alexandra Venable
Alfadans Equestrian Arts
34260 NE Old Parrett Mtn Rd
Newberg, Oregon 97132
831-334-0314
Ann-Christin Kloth
Gait Ways LLC
S75W36395 Wilton Road
Eagle, WI 53119
(262) 470-7103
Equine Specialist EAT/EAL (EAGALA) Certified Massage Therapist (Therasage)
Anna Draeger
Taktur Icelandics LLC
4209 Dana Rd
Crestwood, KY 40014
502-689-4696
BS in Equine Science MS in Agriculture Equissage Equine Sports Massage Therapy certified
Bernie Willis
Arctic Arrow Farm
7362 West Parks Hwy -246
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 357-4233
Tolt in Harmony
Caeli Cavanagh
Alfadans Equestrian Arts
34260 NE Old Parrett Mtn Rd
Newberg, OR 98650
8022995468
BSci in Horse Training and Riding Instruction, Top of World Ranking Good and Harmonious Riding List 2022
Carrie Lyons Brandt
Taktur Icelandic Horses
4209 Dana Rd
Crestwood , KY 40014
502-409-1924
BSci in Horse Training and Riding Instruction
Coralie Denmeade
Tamangur Icelandic Horses
5775 Best Road
Larkspur, CO 80118
719-209-2312
USIHC Sport Judge B
Florie Miller
Equinox Equine Bodywork LLC.
5103 Sunset Ridge Ct
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 309-3695
Certified Equine Massage Therapist
Jana Meyer
Lunar Hill Icelandics
33 Hall Rd
Chelsea, VT 05038
603-856-6697
USIHC Sport Judge B
Janet Mulder
AK Ice Farm LLC
Anchorage, AK
(907) 351-4473
Tölt in Harmony Instructor Level 1
Laura "Lala" Benson
Valkyrie Icelandic
16330 270th PL NE
Duvall, WA 98019
(650) 281-4108
Sigrun Brynjarsdottir
Solheimar Farm
387 Strafford Road
Tunbridge, VT 05077
(802) 889-9472
Centered Riding Instructor Level 2
Virginia Lauridsen
Harmony Icelandics, LLC
3263 Rustic Trail
Truro, IA 50257
515-556-3307
Will Covert
Flying C Ranch
3600 Roblar Ave.
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
(805) 688-1393
FEIF International Sport Judge A, World Champion in T2 1999, Certified Farrier

 

Continuing Education Requirements

Trainers holding a certificate are required to submit proof of continuing education in order to stay current.

Proof of participation in minimum one (1) educational pre-approved seminar every 2 years, by submitting the confirmation letter signed by the clinician (download here).

Non-fulfillment:

If a trainer is not able to provide proof of currency, their license will be suspended and they will be removed from the trainer section of the USIHC webpage. In order to reinstate their license, a trainer has to catch-up on the missing proof by attending a educational seminar within 2 years after the license has been suspended. In case a trainer does not provide any proof of currency within 2 years of license suspension, they will have to participate in a trainer licensing course again, to have another license issued.

Effective:

This requirement is effective as of April 1st, 2017 for existing trainers and 2 years from the certification date for new trainers.