Red and blue colors blended with Copenhagen dressed for autumn. What a sight it was, when 4o Icelandic horses Sunday 21st of October rode in a parade from Christiansborg Palace towards the North Atlantic Brygge on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Danish Icelandic Horse Association and the Icelandic Embassy’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of Iceland’s sovereignty.
The event, called “Icelandic horses in the City”, became a success beyond every expectation. A total estimate is that approximately 2,500 people participated in the lovely weather – perfect for outdoor celebration.
In front of the parade rode the Icelandic and Danish ministers of Nordic collaboration: Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson og Eva Kjer Hansen. They met with a myriad of Icelandic horses and happy riders enjoying the facilities of the Royal Stables at Christiansborg Palace. Crown Equerry at The Royal Mews, Niels Randløv expressed his fascination with the calm Icelandic horses standing peacefully side by side – taking a nap with their eyes half closed, waiting for the parade to start. Niels Randløv also opened the old historic riding house for warming up, which was a nice gesture, and it seemed that the historical surroundings made a great impression on the riders.
The riders, who were all dressed in Icelandic lopapeysa, seemed to experience the horseback-ride of their life through Copenhagen. They waved and smiled to everyone passing by, who in many cases stopped and filmed the large row of horses.
Around 1400 spectators welcomed the riders at Nordatlantes Brygge, where among others, Kristinn Hugason was invited to do a special lecture of “Horses of Iceland through 100 years”. Besides that, families could meet Icelandic horses and taste traditional Icelandic traditional pancakes served at the Embassy!
The initiative was made in close collaboration between the Dansk Icelandic Horse Association, The Icelandic Embassy of Copenhagen, Dansk-Islandsk Samfund, Nordatlantens Brygge and Horses of Iceland.
Icelandic horses in the city of Copenhagen
