Our guests (the horses from Houlls Horses & Hounds in Burra) are staying until tomorrow so we made the most of the fine weather and took them and their riders out to see our local countryside.

It is lovely to have other competent folk to ride with, especially on Icelandic horses.

There were six of us in total.

(I have missed my orange riding companion and I think his rider, Flossie, has missed her little orange horse).

We had some lovely tölts and trots.

I dropped back, much to Haakon’s fury, so that I could photograph everyone going up the canter track.

It was a bit of a there-and-back-again kind of ride as it is just still too wet to go up into the hill.  Maybe our visitors will come back when it has dried up a bit and then we can show them the view from the top of the hill.

On the way home I kept Haakon back again.

This of course made him then last, which he was furious about.  Haakon is never last.

And so Haakon sneakily made his way past everyone.

And yes, he did get home first never breaking into anything faster than his industrious walk.

We will be sad to say goodbye to our new friends.

And it was lovely having Esja home for a brief visit.

I am exhausted but I will do my very best or at least let the photos speak for me.

To be very honest, I never actually thought Egill Þórarinsson would come to Shetland for a training weekend but he did, and it was fantastic, beyond words.  Thank you Bjørn for asking him.

All ten riders and their horses did fantastically well under Egill’s tuition. They worked hard and achieved much.  Every standard was catered for – both horse and rider.  Everyone came out inspired to try harder and to do more with their horse.

The highlight of my weekend was seeing so many beautiful Icelandic horses at Thordale with their happy, willing and enthusiastic riders.  I sincerely hope this is the beginning of something regular.  It was lovely to see.  Everyone helped, inspired and supported each other.  We were a real working team with the same goal.

And so to bed. Zzzzz,,,,,,,

(I may have eaten my weight in egg mayo sarnies again, BeAnne is so exhausted (I had to send her indoors to warm up and sleep) while Lambie is not talking to me since he has spent two days in his little field (wifi and radio).

So, best training weekend ever in Shetland and here’s to many more!  Thanks you guys!

Egill Þórarinsson is here, at Thordale, training 10 riders and their Icelandic horses all weekend.

Today, having arrived fresh off the boat, he waded straight in.  Egill asked everyone to ride their horse and then, having watched them together, the rider dismounted and he got on and tried the horse for himself.  Then, mostly, everyone rode their horse again with instruction.  Tomorrow there will be individual lessons.  The weather was miserable outside so we were all thankful for the indoor school.

There was a strict timetable – five horses before lunch, and five after with a small break for coffee/tea and we introduced Egill to the Scottish staple, Tunnocks caramel wafers, as well.  Bjørn was on hand to translate and assist.

We all watched.

There was lots of chatting over horses.

We provided comfortable seating with occasional armrest.

I may have eaten my weight in egg mayonaise sandiwiches….

And then, again, in apple cake (eplekake)

Why am I not riding?  Because my back is not up to it at the moment.  Flossie and Daisy are participating, though, so that is all that matters for me.  I am happy enough eating egg mayonnaise sandwiches interpersed with taking the odd photo!

This weekend is very exciting.

One of Iceland’s most famous Icelandic horse riders, trainers (an instructor at Holar University) and breeders (his stud – Minni-Reykjum) is visiting Shetland for a two day clinic at Thordale – Egill Þórarinsson.

Yes, we have been cleaning everything.

There are ten riders and their horses in training this weekend and we have five Icelandic horses living at Clothie, which is wonderful to see.

I popped up to Clothie this afternoon for a visit and to make some introductions.

The black horse is Orri from Longhill.

Then there is the beautiful Afla frá Skálmholtshrauni (don’t ask me pronounce that one).

Then there is Hörður fra Stall Ellingseter (again, don’t ask).

Esja frá Víðinesi is home and it is lovely to see our little girl again – she knows her old Mum and her surroundings.

Kristall fra Stutteri Borg is an orange sossage – we had a lovely conversation! He thinks like Klæengur.  So similar, it was scary.  He had some training at Thordale a few years back.

And so everyone is together at Clothie.

And Flossie (my youngest is home) from Oxford.  Someone was very pleased to see her (actually, we all her – my life is perfect now).

So, roll on the weekend.  Egill Þórarinsson, international Icelandic horse trainer, is on his way to tell us how it shall be!  Very excited.

I have made 48 muffins (minus 4, because we had to try them) plus muchos soup. 

Yesterday, I helped my friend and trainer, Bjørn of Bergli Stud. I was at a loose end – Daisy wanted me out of the area (she was cleaning up Thordale in readiness for an Icelandic Horse Clinic this weekend) and I needed a diversion (BeAnne was having biopsies for lumps tomorrow).

So we drove off to see some Shetland pony stallions in Burra (another island, luckily attached by bridge).

While Bjørn trimmed hooves and dished out wormer, I pottered about unhelpfully with my camera!

This is my little gorgeous Waffle’s Sire.

Wulfert v.d. groote woerd – the very epitome of dude!

Now, that is some mane.

I adore Wulfert.

I must admit, however, that I see absolutely nothing of him in Waffle – he is all his Mum, which is not a bad thing, but he is not his Pa.

Wulfert is a very independent – I-don’t-need-no-one – kinda dude who is lovely to talk to.

A magical boy.

Next up was Merkisayre Tactic.  In there, I promise, is a very smart miniature Shetland pony stallion.

No, really, there is.

I think I see a hint of one now.

My bad – just ears then.  Tactic is wonderful.  When he moves, he is jaw-droppinginly awesome.

Last up was Alex.

Alex v.d. Voshoek, to be precise.

The luscious Alex is the stuff of fairy tales.

And he knows it.

We all adore Alex.  He is ridiculously good looking!

🐶 🐕 🐶 🐕 🐶 🐕 🐶 🐕 🐶 🐕 🐶 🐕 🐶 🐕 🐶 🐕 🐶 🐕 🐶 🐕 🐶

Update:  BeAnne had her biopsies this morning.  She is back home now, feeling groggy but coming out of her anaesthetic.  Our vet thinks they look like benign lipomas (phew) but they are being sent to histology.  Worry doesn’t even go there.  While she was away, I cleaned the house to keep myself occupied.  The house is now immaculate!