Breeding
Photo: Hanna Wetzel (Photo competition 2023)
In general, the FEIF Rules and Regulations for Breeding are aimed at the preservation and improvement of the Icelandic horse breed. All stallions and mares that are used in breeding should be free from genetic defects, and must be identified and registered according to FEIF rules. Breeding horses are ranked based on results from the FEIF/Icelandic breeding horse assessment system.
In Breeding, FEIF has clear goals to:
- define the FEIF breeding standards for the Icelandic horse
- define the FEIF breeding assessment system for all individual Icelandic horses
- establish rules for FEIF breeding shows
- decide on one set of basic rules for recording studbook entries and individual horse identification
- support national studbook keeping in FEIF member countries
- ensure the genetical value of the Icelandic horse
WorldFengur
WorldFengur is the global database developed in 2000 by the Icelandic Government in cooperation with FEIF. Only one year later, in 2001, WorldFengur was opened for public use at the World Championships in Austria. From the outset, this extensive database was developed to become the essential tool for breeders of the Icelandic horse and to be a key factor in achieving the breeding goal that was set internationally.
As the studbook of origin, it provides information on Icelandic horses in the membership countries of FEIF as well as horses born elsewhere in the world. Many registrars in 22 countries are responsible for registering horses into WorldFengur. Every FEIF member association gets free access to WorldFengur for all its individual members.
Photo: Alice Linnebach
IceFoal Platform
The FEIF foal and young horse evaluation system is based on the first system developed by the former FEIF Breeding judge Barbara Frische. It has been further developed based on genetic analyzes from by Dr. Þorvaldur Árnason as well as updates in the judges’ guidelines for breeding assessments.
Results from foal and young horses assessments organised according to FEIF Rules&Regulations can be entered on an official platform. More information is available in the R&R, https://www.feif.org/feif/documents/, chapter B11.
The assigned judge at each show will automatically have access to enter and publish the assessments to the site and the results will be available directly after they were published.
According to the decision of the Annual Breeding meeting, it is up to each country to use the foal and young horse assessment they decide on, but the goal is to have one system in all FEIF member countries at a certain moment.
Thank you to SIF Avel and their team to prepare this platform!
International Breeding Judges
FEIF trains and examines international breeding judges, ensuring the
greatest possible consistency at an international level.
In fact, all Icelandic horses evaluated at a breeding show must be judged by representatives of the 30 breeding judges worldwide, and these judges work together very closely.
A highly experienced breeding judge, who is approved by a FEIF member association and has passed the qualifying FEIF test for international breeding judges. The sole right to certificate FEIF International Breeding Judges lies with FEIF.
Photo: Inge Kringeland
FEIF Breeding Ringmasters
The ringmaster inspects and measures all horses prior to the conformation assessment. After the ridden assessment, the inspections of shoes, protective equipment and other equipment of the horse and rider lies with the ringmaster.
A check of horse’s equipment is mandatory for all horses in the show and shall take place after the first and second assessments. On behalf of the judges the chief judge can ask the ringmaster for an extra check of the equipment.
Ring masters at breeding shows need to be certified by FEIF. Certification can be attained by attending a seminar for ring masters which is organized by the FEIF Breeding Committee.
World Championships
World Championships are organised every two years (uneven years) in one of the member countries. At the breeding show the best horses from all FEIF member countries are presented.
Each country may enter a maximum of 2 horses per age group and a horse may only represent the country in which it was born.
Stallions and mares will be shown in separate classes in the following age groups: 5 years old, 6 years old and 7 years old or over. The assessments are entered into the WorldFengur database.
Photo: Neddens Tierfoto
WorldFengur
Go to the unique global database of Icelandic horses
Get in touch
Contact the Breeding Committee or the breeding leader of your country
Regulations
Get the latest documents from the Breeding department.
Upcoming breeding events
News from Breeding
Pilot Project: FIZO Confirmation Tour Across Germany
For many years, breeders in Iceland have benefited from regional opportunities to present their horses for assessment—now Germany is following suit. From April 6th to 11th, the IPZV (Icelandic Horse Association of Germany) organized a FIZO tour with seven stops across...
BLUP calculations will be updated around the 20th of April
The BLUP calculations will now include both breeding assessments as well as competition data from selected events. This has been discussed for many years and now finally this is ready, so this is a very valuable milestone in the development of the BLUP system. Read...
World Championships 2025 – Breeding Judges
The selection of the World Championships 2025 Breeding Judges is complete. The FEIF Breeding Committee and the FEIF Breeding Judges Committee agreed on the breeding judges for the World Championships 2025 in Birmenstorf, Switzerland. The following judges will be...