Youth Work
Photo: Hestamannafélagið Sörli
FEIF Youth Work started in 1986 when a first “international youth week” was arranged by FEIF and the Netherlands.
The goal of FEIF Youth Work is to bring together young people from different countries. All should share a passion for the Icelandic horse, and participants will learn a lot about the culture, traditions and the place of the horse in the host nation. The shared language at all FEIF Youth events is English.
FEIF Youth Events – Connecting the International Icelandic Horse Youth Community
The FEIF Youth Events bring together young Icelandic horse enthusiasts from all over the world. Through a variety of regularly held events – such as the FEIF Youth Cup, FEIF Youth Camp, and FEIF Young Leaders Event – we aim to strengthen the international youth community and foster friendship, cultural exchange, and leadership within the Icelandic horse world.
Each event offers unique opportunities to learn, ride, compete, and grow – both as a rider and as a person. Participants not only improve their horsemanship skills but also experience the spirit of teamwork and international cooperation that defines the FEIF Youth network.
Whether it’s sharing unforgettable moments at competitions, exploring new perspectives during workshops, or building lifelong friendships across borders – FEIF Youth Events are about connection, learning, and fun in a truly international environment.
The goal of FEIF Youth Work
The central goal of the FEIF Youth Work Department is to encourage young people from across FEIF member countries to meet, to engage with one another, and to build on their love for, and understanding of, the Icelandic horse.
We want to create an international platform, so young people can develop life skills, and grow as individuals.
Within transnational communities, learning takes place in the following areas:
- Taking good care of the horse, and the natural environment
- Responsibility for self and others, including the horse
- Supporting one another through good times and periods of stress
- Intercultural communication and understanding
- Lifelong friendships
- Tolerance of those with differing opinions
- Teamwork capability
- Development of personal skills
- Improved English language competence
Photos: Sophia Humpert (Photo competition 2022) and Martina Karl (Photo competition 2022)
Young Riders at World Championships
World Championships are organised every two years (uneven years) in one of the member countries.
Competitors, who in accordance with the FEIF General Rules are eligible, and who are at least 16 years old and not more than 21 years old in the calendar year, may compete in the World Championships. Countries may send up to 5 young rider/horse combinations. Since 2013, young riders have their own A-finals, and B-Finals were introduced in 2019 for classes in which the number of entrants is greater than 20 riders.
News from Youth Work
FEIF committee meetings 2025 in Frankfurt
The FEIF Committee meetings 2025 took place from October 17-18 in Frankfurt, Germany. The feedback from all committees was that the discussions were constructive, interesting, and fruitful. Below you will find a short summary of the discussions in the different...
Save the Date – FEIF YouthCup 2026 in Rieden GER
What is the FEIF YouthCup? The FEIF YouthCup (FYC) is a unique event that combines sport, education, and international friendship. Participants not only compete but also learn and build strong connections with riders from other countries. The event promotes team...
Do you want to become a Young committee member?
Are you between 18 – 26 years old and want to become active in international work related to the Icelandic horse? We are now accepting applications for this years young committee member seats. In FEIF our goal is to unite generations and further develop our sport for...
Youth Award
See the countries who were “FEIF Youth Country of the Year”.
Get in touch
Contact the Youth Committee or find the youth leader of your country.
Regulations
Get the latest documents from the Youth Work department.