Valhalla Icelandic Horses ~ About: Testimonials



The ground shook. I became involved with the Icelandic horse through my wife Ann. She is an actress and was in an Icelandic play at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. Yes, they write plays in Iceland, too. It was called “Day of Hope.” It was the most popular play in Iceland at the time. As I recall it was about alcoholism, incest, rape and fishermen. But it made such an impression, Ann said we should go to Iceland one day. About ten or so years later, Ann was on the internet and saw tours of Iceland. On horseback! I was reluctant. The only horse I had ridden was “Big Mike” at a fourth grade birthday party. The tour guide suggested we take “a couple” of lessons before we went on the horseback trek. We were assured that the Icelandic horse is gentle, friendly, and hard to spook. Also the “tolt” gait was very gentle on the posterior (all of which are true!). We started taking lessons with English saddle on warm bloods. We fell in love. We ended up riding three or four times a week. We leased horses. We went to horse events…
One of the events, low and behold, was an Icelandic horse show. We saw these magical, beautiful, and spirited creatures in the ring going through their paces. We had no idea of the power of these fellows until they tolted by. The ground shook. We were so excited about our trip. Maybe we would meet someone who would let us ride an Icelandic before the trip. Enter Steinar and Stina. Both were brilliant riders with lots of competition experience in Iceland. Also Steinar’s father, Diddi, was considered by many, including the Guinness Book of Records, to be the greatest Icelandic horse rider of all time. With his warm smile and good sense of humor Steinar invited us out for a lesson. That was it. Two years, two trips to Iceland, and three Icelandic horses of our own later…we are here to stay. Valhalla has the greatest horses, with the greatest care, and the greatest teacher anywhere. Lessons with Steinar are always challenging and rewarding. They have made us confident riders who are able to handle any situation on the trail, in the ring, or in a show. More on the Icelandic trek to follow.... *Stephen*
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		Loving every minute of it...! I wouldn't have called myself overly timid or tense as a rider, but I certainly tend to worry about doing everything "right," which sure doesn't help! After coming back to riding after 40 years and loving every minute of it (why didn't they have Icelandic horses in the United States you could know about back then!!), I recognize Steinar is a profound teacher/trainer. Not only does he have the expertise to work with the horses in a positive way with unmatched skill, his gentle but firm manner, and challenging lessons coupled with his belief in you as a rider allows you to accomplish things you can only dream about. Stina's mastery of everything to do with horses and barns (and a first-class rider and teacher in her own right) makes Valhalla the most confidence-building environment one could imagine. We feel very fortunate to have this pair close to home and in our "horse lives." Every so often in life you just know that this is a moment in time you are lucky to be where you are and doing what you are doing. Riding Icelandic horses at Valhalla is one of those! *Ann*
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I am now hooked. I started riding in May 2005 and bought two horses: "Drift & Lokkur" three months later in Iceland while attending a clinic conducted by Steinar's father, Diddi. We bought our third horse "Bodni" from Steinar and Stina in April and have been enjoying our riding experience ever since. This horse experience came to our lives in a very strange manner. My wife (Eileen) started riding dressage for the first time in the beginning of 2004. I recall that she never came home with a smile and I just couldn't wait for her to quit. For selfish reasons, I just didn't want her to come home and tell me that she wanted to buy a horse. In March 2005, she started lessons with Steinar and after a few weeks really started smiling. Eileen encouraged me to try riding. After my first lesson with Steinar, we went to shop for riding gear, I sold my Go-Kart, and gave up racing. I am now hooked. *Willy*
The Icelandic horse is the perfect breed for Willy & me... While in Iceland, Steinar and Stina guided us to purchase the appropriate horses for our personality and riding style. Their experience in matching the horse and rider is unbelievable. The Icelandic horse is the perfect breed for Willy and me who wanted to have not only a thoroughly challenging riding experience but also a nurturing relationship similar to that with our dog. *Eileen*
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The Icelandic horse is versatile! I learned to ride because I wanted to be able to see my Brittany compete at field trials. These dogs cover miles hunting birds … and riding horses (or walking…yeah, sure) is the only permitted way on course to see the display of controlled independence and the style and intensity on point of these hunting dogs. So this was the reason for buying my horse, Gođi. In 2003 when I was looking for a trainer that was close by in Riverside, I found Stina and it turned out that Gođi was one of Stina’s favorite lesson horses at a previous job and they were reunited. With Stina working with me, my riding skills improved. I have advanced from only watching the field trial competitions to actually competing with my own dog. Gođi takes me around the hilly courses, hurrying to my dog when she finds a bird, he stands still while I look for the bird in the bushes and doesn’t
even move when he hears the gun shot … and when all is done, he will stand still for my dog to jump up on his back for a ride back into camp. Two years ago, Steinar and Stina decided to move to Lake View Terrace and their new facility. I was sad to see them move but their love of the horses is so contagious that I have been regularly commuting from Riverside (160 mile round trip) to continue my relationship with them and the Icelandic horses. My enjoyment of the Icelandic horse lead to a trip to Iceland and with Steinar and Stina’s encouragement and guidance purchased and imported Thengill. Now under Steinar’s tutelage, I am riding at Icelandic Competitions and practicing in an Icelandic Horse Drill team for fun. These horses have surely broadened my life by adding so many new enjoyments. Myra-Dawn
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		Looking for the right horse. I wanted a gelding (no more mares!) that was under 10 years old, definitely under 16 hands (14 is really a good size as I get older), gaited (a must) with a great personality. Color and breed did not matter so long as the horse was a perfect match. I dragged Sheri all over looking at other horses, all the while Myra-Dawn and Sheri are begging me to come out to Valhalla. “No”, I put them off; “I’m not looking for a special, fancy horse, just a good gaited horse with a great personality (that’s not as tall as my huge Quarter horse)”. So, Sheri asks me to go with her one day (after vetoing a rather spooky Peruvian) to meet Myra-Dawn and see her new R.V. We drive to Hansen Dam and lo and behold we are going to go riding, “Surprise”. I’m coming straight from work, not dressed for horses, no helmet, but before I know it I’ve met the most helpful, wonderful people and I’m in helmet on a beautiful little mare. I discover Steinar is one of the most patient people I have ever met, so generous with his time and skills with a heart for his horses and a passion for helping others enjoy them as well. Halfway through the ride, Sheri switches mounts with me as she explains that the beautiful little pinto she is riding is the one for sale that she and Myra-Dawn have been telling me about. Well…by the time we arrived back at Valhalla, Heaven is exactly what I felt I found. Neisti is now my new best friend. He is the most magnificent and brilliant horse (yes, I am biased and now I believe Steinar and Stina were telling the truth when they said the Icelandic is the World’s Best Horse!!!). He has now taken me to field trials, where
we ride with many other horse, around hunting dogs, tie the horses out on “stake-outs” (he’s so smart, he figured this one out in only two tangles –definitely another story) and dealt well with shot guns (ever want to challenge your balance…have someone shoot a shotgun 4 feet from your horse – woo-who). He has ridden at about ½ the County and State parks in our area in all conditions and he successfully completed his first training session with L.A. County Parks and Recs Mounted Patrol Unit (the Llama is another story – I think they fell in love!). Not only is Neisti the most enjoyable horse I have ever ridden, he is challenging and smart enough to keep me on my toes. He loves unconditionally and has a heart as big as a house. He is just as gentle as he is quick. My undying gratitude goes to Steinar for his availability to answer questions and his patience in teaching me how to ride and work with my perfect horse. Many thanks to Stina for all the help in outfitting my little horse (no, my 86” Quarter horse blanket did not fit; it wrapped around twice!) and advice on clippers and the use thereof (everyone is laughing at me now, because I have a “snow” horse that I shaved and now must blanket in the unusually cold weather we are having – ha-ha). With Stina’s guidance, we now have the right size blanket and a greater understanding of how to treat and groom my little guy. I look forward to many years, riding with many of you, thundering down the trail on my perfect horse…one of Steinar and Stina’s World’s Best Icelandic Horses! Heather
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Want Fun? Try Icelandic!

So here I am, getting ready for my first Icelandic horse riding experience. I knew I was excited and looking forward to a different kind of a ride, but I had no idea just how much fun I was about to have. What a blast! This is one powerful horse, with a tremendous amount of energy-on-tap. I've ridden since I was a young girl, on all breeds and speeds of horses: gaited and non-gaited. But the Icelandic horse is a gaited breed like no other.

I have great respect for both Steinar and Stina in how they care for both their horses as well as their clients. They are hard working and dedicated to their craft as both trainers and as business people. I can also see that it is this very dedication that is making their business a success.

Thank you Steinar and Stina for traveling from your beautiful country of Iceland and making your home here in Southern California at Hansen Dam Equestrian Center. You provide many of us with great enjoyment riding your very special Icelandic horses. I look SO forward to my next ride, and the ride after that, and the ride after...well, you get the idea. So, as the Home page of this website says..."Come take a test drive"!

Your Friend and Web designer,
Robin


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