The parties who signed the agreement were Svandís Svavarsdóttir, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Pétur Óskarsson, Director of Business Iceland, Sveinn Steinarsson, Chairman of the Horse Breeders Association (FHB), Guðni Halldórsson, Chairman of the Equestrian Association of Iceland (LH), and Hrafnhildur Helga Guðmundsdóttir on behalf of the Icelandic Horse Trainers Association.
Horses of Iceland is co-funded by the horse industry and the Icelandic Government. The state will spend up to 25 million ISK per year, or the same amount the horse industry will invest. Parties involved in breeding Icelandic horses, producing horse-related products, or providing services associated with the Icelandic horse and anyone interested in offering financial support; organizations, suppliers, and institutions are welcome to participate in the marketing project.
Horses of Iceland is a strategic marketing plan developed by stakeholders in the Icelandic horse community to increase awareness and strengthen recognition of the Icelandic horse in international markets, and Business Iceland manages operations. The project launched in 2016, so acquiring a new long-term contract is a turning point for Horses of Iceland. This is a fantastic opportunity for the Icelandic equestrian community, and now is the time for industry partners to participate in the project and its financing.
Jelena Ohm, Project Manager of Horses of Iceland at Business Iceland: ‘It is very gratifying to ensure continued marketing work for the benefit of the Icelandic horse and stakeholders in the industry. There has been a lot of progress in the work and increased interest in this amazing horse. But there is still work to be done and plenty of opportunities to enter new markets.’
Svandís Svavarsdóttir, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries: ‘It is clear that the coordinated marketing work that Horses of Iceland has been doing for the past four years has been successful, so it is both gratifying and important to continue to support it.’
Those who are interested in participating in the project are advised to contact Jelena Ohm, Project Manager of Horses of Iceland, jelena@islandsstofa.is, or simply fill out this partnership agreement.