Canadian Icelandic Horse Federation

About Us

~OBJECTIVE~ 

The Federation shall have for its objectives:

• The encouragement, development and regulation of the Icelandic horse in Canada.
• To keep record of breeding and registration of Icelandic horses under the Canadian National Livestock Record system.
• To promote the awareness and secure the integrity of purebred Icelandic horses.
• To promote, encourage and assist in livestock exhibitions and fairs, and offer grants and contribute prizes for such purposes which shall be limited to registered Icelandic horses.

HISTORY

The C.I.H.F. was founded July 5, 1979 in Calgary, Alberta. Gunnar Bjarnasson represented Iceland at the meeting and was appointed Honorary President of the C.I.H.F., a position he held with each European member organization. Canadian National Livestock Records (now known as the Canadian Liverstock records Corporation or CLRC) officially recognized our organization July 26, 1983. Effective January 1999 there were 1320 purebred Icelandic horses registered through CLRC, which maintains the registries of most purebred livestock breeds in Canada. The Canadian Icelandic Horse Federation joined F.E.I.F. the Federation of European Friends of the Icelandic Horse in 1984 and has participated at World Championships since 1985.

~Our Board of Directors~

Executive Positions

President:  Christopher Jones
      Vice President: Erhard Marenbach

Secretary: Susan Bunge
Treasurer: Maria Badyk  

Directors 

One of the fresh directors for the board this year. I have served on the board before as a director and look forward to working with the current board. Obviously, there are a number of new challenges for the board to deal with and some issues that appear to recycle themselves, albeit in a fresh coat of paint so as to appear new. For a large portion of my life the Icelandic horse has been there too. They continue to be my major stress buster. I always enjoy sharing my affinity for the horses with people that are interested in them and try to convey to those willing to listen the special connection that is there for the taking. I will strive to participate in the shaping of the future of the CIHF  through honest, open and impartial discussions about issues that matter to our members.

 I was born in Gimli, Manitoba in 1950.  My involvement with horses began in 1963 and I became involved with Icelandic Horses in 1987.  It started first as a cultural thing.  My father felt with all the Icelandic people in Manitoba we should have Icelandic Horses here.  In 1988 we imported 14.  Presently we have 30 horses of various ages and annually have 3 or 4 foals.  This is my second time on the board.  I was president for a number of years and then took a break.  Elected again last year.  My main interest for the winter is now speed skating.

I am completing my third year on the Board of Directors and my first year as President. I am very proud of our accomplishments as an organization in the last year and look forward to many more in the future.

Together with my wife, Nathaly and daughter, Chanel we have been involved with Icelandic horses for 12 years now. We run a small breeding and training facility in Abbotsford, BC. Tuskast Icelandics is home to Bjort fra Vindsdalur, the highest evaluated Iceland horse born in Canada. Bjort was bred by Arnold Faber, started by Lisi Ohm and Trained by Chanel, who also presented and rode her to First Prize. We also own the Stallion, Tindur fra Fitsjamyri who has successfully recovered from a compound fracture to his cannon bone.

 This is my first year on the Board of Directors and I have to say I am very excited to have the opportunity to do so. I love to problem solve and brainstorm with the group finding the best and fairest solutions for everyone involved. I have been riding and training horses for almost 27 years now and 14 of those years riding and training icelandic horses professionally. Before the Icelandic horses I was an avid show jumper but one ride on a furry icelandic gelding changed everything and I've never looked back. I have since then trained many horses in Canada, USA and Iceland. In 2006 I lived in Iceland for 3 years working with numerous trainers of FT status. I learned and absorbed many different styles of training and from that created my own unique way of getting the best out of any horse using trust, understanding, and positive reinforcement. I wish to help educate the public much more about this wonderful breed and I try my hardest to help anyone that has questions or concerns about their horses. My husband Kyle and I have a lovely farm in the foothills of Alberta called Wild Rose Icelandic Horse Farm. Here in our picturesque valley, we breed a select number of horses, teach lessons, and have horses in training and for sale. I am currently working steadily with Maria Badyk to promote in all disciplines of which the Icelandic Horse can excel. And slowly we are building up a group of Icelandic riders and owners here in Alberta. I am also enjoying writing training articles for the newsletter, helping in any way I can and I love to be as involved as much as possible. I want to see the education of the breed rise here in Canada, support our pleasure riders and help Canada get to a higher level in competition and breeding shows. I will be working hard to see things move forward.     

I became a director on board of the CIHF in 2004 and since then I have been Breed Leader. In the past I also served as the president of the CIHF.I would like to continue my work, as I feel we made good progress for the CIHF in the recent past.

I was actively involved in the following projects:

•   WorldFengur Membership for Canada

•   Canada joins the Education Matrix of the FEIF in 2009

•   Investment of CIHF funds to gain interest

•   Guidelines for National Shows

•   Guidelines for sponsoring

•   I participated for the CIHF in FEIF conferences to gain   new ideas and get Canada noticed on International Level.

  Together with my wife Iris, we own Tolt Away Icelandic Horse Farm, located in Enderby, British Columbia. We promote our wonderful horses where ever we can and try to get more people involved.

My wife is the registrar for Icelandic Horses in WF. We are both very enthusiastic in our work for the Icelandic Horse and the Icelandic Horse Community in Canada.

I was born in Toronto and came to live in Calgary at an early age.  My interest in horses began at age six and continued during childhood with my involvement in gymkana events, barrel racing and all the other cultural events that every good Southern Alberta "cowgirl" takes part in while growing up.

I rode mostly quarter horses during that time and did have some Arabians. During my adult years I have been interested in training my own young horses(I have two quarter horses), in reining horses and in trail riding in the mountains.  In 2004 I was looking  for a new breed that could take me into my older years.  I was looking for a breed that was easy to get on, had the spirit that I had always loved in a horse and that would maintain their health into their older years.  I researched the Icelandic breed for 18 months, looked at Icelandics at other farms and then, to my good fortune, met two wonderful people-Arnold and Toos Faber.

I have three Icelandics from their breedings now and am continually amazed at the versitility, spirit beauty, and nature of the Icelandic horse. I toured Iceland with Arnold and friends in July of 2010 and plan a return visit in 2011 for a horse trek adventure.

Looking to retire in a few years and  to further dedicate my time to the Icelandics.  The photos are of me and my horse Katur herding cattle down from summer grazing to winter pasture.

I recently completed a survey for FEIF the governing body for the Icelandic horse. The final question was "Any additional information you want to provide?" After re-reading my response, I realised that it is exactly what I want to keep pursuing as a member of the CIHF board..

My response:-Canada is a vast country. Our biggest challenge IS bringing people together. In Canada we have to find ways that we can have a main source of information, education etc. From this source we have to encourage individuals who are physically able to come together, at the same time promoting the main source of information gathering and sharing through membership in the CIHF. For some individuals even coming together with other Icelandic horse owners is impossible. The CIHF is here for every member. It is my personal goal to encourage every member to share and communicate thoughts, concerns, experiences, pride , questions even negative concerns. In short, TO BE INVOLVED and know you will be heard.

Two years with the board has been a learning experience especially in the role as secretary. I am very happy to continue as a member of the board. For new members, Steve and I have property in Woodlawn ON. We have Eight horses on the property five of which are Icelandic. I have taken the recent judging seminar for renewal and try to stay in touch with anything Icelandic happening within driving distance. This includes travel to the States. I Maintain my riding abilities in an effort to at least stay neutral with a hope that I might improve. I also take every opportunity to promote the Icelandic horse. No one escapes once they ask their first question!

 Committees