Hello, I'm Amy and I've been working with icelandic horses since 2006.

 

Growing up on a 8,000 acre farm in South Australia I was horse mad and got my first horses to train at 12 years old. My parents were fully into weird and exotic livestock so we grew up with angora goats, mixed breeds of cattle and sheep. In 1989 they picked up all 5 kids and moved to New Zealand to take on the task of quarantining 300 alpacas they'd just imported from Chile. So my teenage years were spent learning about these amazing animals, and 18 months later I flew back to Australia on a plane with Dad and 500 alpacas to settle in Victoria. Through the next few years the family moved to Camperdown. Amongst finishing school and starting uni I did alpaca quarantines on Cocos Keeling Islands and on farm at Camperdown. At 19 I left Australia to go back to New Zealand and eventually went off to travel the world. That lead me to living and working in the UK for 4.5 years helping to start the UK alpaca industry. 

​​

I met up with Icelandic Horses for the first time back in New Zealand in the early 2000's at the Vinbrux's Vindoholar Southern Icelandic Horses stud. A German couple with a brood of darling children, a self sufficient lifestyle and small herd of Icelandic Horses they had imported. The Vinbrux's were a big help to us as we made our way into the Icelandic horse world. Uncle Clyde had already been in contact with them for many years and they worked together to source more genetics for the NZ and Australia herds. 

​​

When Uncle Clyde passed away in 2005,  Dad had inherited the now 34 Icelandics. I chose to come back to Australia with my two very small children in tow and help my sister Thea work out how to get the Icelandic Horse promoted and established in Australia. ​​​We have since juggled the joys of motherhood, being single parents, working multiple roles within our families businesses ( Shaw RIver Buffalo Cheese) and breeding, training, and everything else that goes with being the first and up until the last couple of years the biggest Icelandic stud in Australia. 

​

We've helped other Icelandic horse studs in Australia to source riding horses and breeding stock, and with education to get set up. 

​​

My sister Thea and I were founding members of the IHAA - Icelandic Horse Association of Australia and have held various roles on the committee over the years, including many stints as the President. I was also a founding member of the IHBRANZ (the New Zealand Icelandic Association). Haldane Icelandic horses have run clinics, open days, exhibited 6 times at Equitana and promoted the breed all over Australia. 

​​​​

As we entered the world of Icelandic Horses the internet was starting out and there were very few resources for helping us to take on, train and ride our herd. Armed with one video, and one small book we learnt what we could then developed amazing international connections to help us learn more over time. Fast forward to today the possibilities for learning about and training Icelandic horses are endless. 

​​

Our family no longer milk water buffalo and make cheese. I own and run the herd of 60+ icelandic horses primarily on my own with support from family, our lovely vets and other farm contractors as needed. An absolute farm girl at heart and jack of all trades I do all the horse husbandry, most of the young horse training and farrier work alongside the farm tasks. So you're just as likely to see me out on the tractor as having deep conversations with the horses. On a wet day or the evenings I'll be somewhere in the office doing websites, social media and planning the priorities for the herd. ​

​​​

As an Equine Interactive Experience Practitioner I love helping people to learn new skills, deeper their connection with horses and to find joy in being in nature. The Icelandic Horse with their beautiful temperament are the perfect companions in these Equine Experiences. 

​​​​​

Above all I love to help people find their perfect horse and enjoy matching rider with horse. I will always do my best to make sure that you are set up for success. 

​​​

Because we started our journey into Icelandic Horses so long ago we also had to find saddles etc that would fit them. Way before the era of online shopping I started to import saddles and gear for ourselves and then our clients as they bought horses. So if you're after Icelandic Horse tack and resources I have available books, saddles, bridles and clothing in my "Viking Rider" store Click here for more info. 

​​​​

Please feel free to contact me to find out more about our horses, book one of our experiences or for general enquiries. email me at info@icelandichorses.com.au or ph/text0431815880