The Icelandic horse promoted at Equitana

Horses of Iceland participated in Europe’s largest horse trade fair, Equitana, in Essen, Germany, March 9^th–17^th. The biennial trade fair is regularly attended by around 200,000 people and is one of the most extensive projects Horses of Iceland will take part in this year.

The Icelandic horse was promoted at a large stand where visitors were invited to view a 360-degree video of the Icelandic horse outside in Icelandic nature and – through virtual reality – travel to its natural habitat. Few had tried a VR headset before and the initiative proved very popular.

The partners of Horses of Iceland were promoted at the stand as well, and Horses of Iceland showed a commercial about the Icelandic horse on a 90-meter screen in the exhibition area five times a day, throughout the week.

Close to 700 people put their names down on the Horses of Iceland news list in the hope of winning the grand prize at a sweepstake: A plane ticket with Icelandair worth up to ISK 70,000, an Icelandic horse tour with Íslandshestar (a HOI partner) and a week pass for Landsmót 2020.

At Equitana, the main goal is to reach owners and riders of other horse breeds and bring the qualities of the Icelandic horse to their attention.

Formal launch of Landsmót 2020 ticket sales

The ticket sale for Landsmót hestamanna – National Horse Festival 2020 was formally launched at the Horses of Iceland stand at Equitana on Saturday, March 16^th, with an address by Erlendur Árnason, the chairman of judges of “Gæðingakeppni”. Afterwards, he and Hlynur Snær Theodórsson played Icelandic songs. During the launch party, representatives of Vikingyr, a new brand for Icelandic lamb, served Icelandic food.

Landsmót is the biggest event for the Icelandic horse in the world, and Landsmót 2020 is a proud partner of Horses of Iceland. The event will occur July 6^th–12^th, 2020 at Hella in South Iceland. At Landsmót, a great atmosphere is promised, along with Iceland’s best horses, a variety of entertainment, quality Icelandic food and a wonderful experience focused on the Icelandic horse. Approximately 1,100 horses and 700 riders will compete at Landsmót and the event regularly attracts about 10,000 spectators. Tickets can be purchased on the Landsmót website.

See pictures below.