Partners in life and in the lives of the horses they train, Steinar and Stina Sigurbjörnsson combine the best of Classical Icelandic schooling with a definate understanding of the needs of the American rider. Just like the horses he trains, Steinar comes from pure Icelandic stock: he is the son of Icelandic Master Horseman Sigurbjörn “Diddi” Barðarson.  And just like his mounts, Steinar can do it all. 

Steinar brings with him not only his lifetime knowledge of training, riding, and instructing, but also, because of the responsibility to keep this breed pure, handles all of the breeding and importation of his Icelandics. Steinar is very hands on, often shoeing his horses himself, and always leading the rides on trails.

As a young adult, Steinar trained under the guidance of Birgir Gunnarson in Germany. From Iceland, Steinar then trained and taught in Germany, Holland, Montana, Idaho and California before deciding to settle with his wife Stina at Valhalla Icelandic Horses located at Hansen Dam Equestrian Center in Lake View Terrace, California.

Steinar and Stina’s greatest joy is to introduce this amazing breed to new students and to watch as they become completely enamored by them. Their unique blend of knowledge and teaching styles enables Steinar and Stina to effectively teach and train the beginning horse and rider as well as the Icelandic World Championship Competitor.