Education
Erik Andersen, Trainer/Instructor of the Year 2024
Trainer/Instructor of the Year
FEIF recognizes the importance of instructors and trainers in our community. These talented, dedicated individuals are essential to growing the Icelandic horse breed in terms of both popularity and utility all within the scope of FEIF’s mission. FEIF established an “Trainer/Instructor of the Year” award in 2016 to acknowledge the outstanding teachers and trainers in the community.
Each year, FEIF invites the member countries to nominate one individual as their trainer/instructor for the year. The countries are free to choose any criteria to select their candidate. However, the candidates must all be listed in FEIF Horse Trainers and Riding Instructors list. All the candidates are listed on the FEIF Facebook page and the community is asked to choose their favorite.
The winner is announced at the annual FEIF Conference the following year. Winners receive a free entrance ticket to either Landsmót or the World Championships depending on the year and a trophy.
Combined Sport Judges/Trainers/Instructore seminar 2025
Join us in Denmark from March 7th – 9th, 2025, Aarhus/Vilhelmsborg, Denmark for an exciting seminar weekend!
In an international context, horse welfare in sport is increasingly scrutinized by society, with demands for modern standards and objective assessments of horse behaviour to align with societal expectations. Presentations and discussion topics of the seminar will include conflict behaviour in Icelandic horses and show how behaviours such as head shaking, and mouth opening can indicate welfare issues. Another focus is on the correct use of tack and equipment, emphasizing the importance of fit and the rider’s role in horse movement, illustrated through practical, research-based demonstrations.
Russell MacKechnie-Guire, Associate Professor in Biomechanics (Research), HE Equine, Hartpury University
Through theoretical lectures and practical analyses Russel will take us on a journey of knowledge about the importance of saddle and bridle fit, as well as riders’ position, for equine locomotion and horses’ wellbeing.
Mette Uldahl, Doctor of Veterinary medicine. Certificate in Equine Diseases. Areas of interest: ethics and transformation in relation to horse welfare and horse sport. Chief Consultant Horse and Animal Welfare at Animal Protection Denmark. Former FEI National Head Vet for Denmark.
In continuation of the focus on social license to operate Mette, based on the concept of the positively accepting riding horse, will share her international perspectives on welfare in horse sport and training.
Janne Winther Christensen, Associate professor, Department of Animal and Veterinary Science, Aarhus University, Senior vice president of the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES), Department of Animal and Veterinary Science
Data from a brand-new follow up study on the relation between the horses’ behavioral expressions, oral lesions, bit and bridle type and competition scores will be presented to later be included as highly relevant data in the joint discussions.
Photo: Anna Lena Phillips, photo competition 2023
Within FEIF, education is organised at a national level. Each national association manages its own educational system for the learning of riding and horsemanship for Icelandic horses. The FEIF Education Department aims to standardize national educational matters at an international level. Training pathways for riding instructors are different for individual membership countries. These requirements vary based on national requirements, culture and history.
Some countries use a modular system for trainers, while other countries require would-be trainers to attend college, or even university-based training courses.
The FEIF Education Department has created a system which allows the seamless recognition of qualifications and skills for instructors across all member associations, by using a list of competencies at various levels that is expected as a minimum standard.
The Matrix
Each level of the FEIF Education Matrix is defined by a set of minimum competencies shared by all countries that an instructor and trainer is expected to demonstrate. The Education Matrix maps four levels of instructor competencies. These share a comparable set of skills without having followed a joint syllabus or programme.
- Level 1 Instructors are able to teach beginners and leisure riders in basic riding skills and gaited riding with a strong emphasis on horsemanship, keeping, handling and riding the Icelandic horse.
- Level 2 Instructors are able to teach leisure riders, as well as competition riding up to intermediate level. This qualification may – but does not always – include proven competencies in the training of young horses.
- Level 3 Instructors are able to teach at all levels, in different types of sport and breeding events. This qualification includes proven competencies in the training of young horses at an advanced level.
- Level 4 instructors are international experts, able to teach and train other instructors, trainers and judges as well as horses and riders at all levels.
Trainer of the Year
See who was trainer of the year in the past years
Get in touch
Contact the Education Committee or find an education leader
Information
Get the latest documents from the Education department.
News from Education
FEIF Sport Judges & Education Seminar 2025
Last weekend the Dansk Islandshesteforening, hosted the FEIF Sport Judge & Education Seminar, bringing together equestrian professionals from around the world. This key event provided valuable educational opportunities for both judges and trainers in the...
FEIF Trainer of the Year 2024: Erik Andersen
There were nominations from 9 countries and a total of 475 persons answering the survey (which is much more than the last years) and Erik Andersen (Norway) received most votes. Erik Andersen is a highly respected FEIF Level 4 instructor who has played a pivotal role...
Annual Education meeting 2025
In a very productive meeting, representatives of 10 FEIF member associations discussed a number of topics with a diverging scope together with the FEIF education committee. Updates were given on developments with regard to both the structure of education of...