I must have been 4-5 years old, when I first remember to know about Iceland. Probably even before, like I explained with the Hekla eruption, but I doubt it I was aware that was Iceland. At this young age, I was not aware of any geographical knowledge, more than that people in other places spoke weird language. For me even our northern province of Friesland was another country. And driving there by a long dam made me sure about it. Though I thought Friesland was part of England. This was for Dutch children basic geography. Much other countries we wouldn't know. But I always had this imaginary views of volcanic lands, with horses and snow. Fierce and cold, very colorfull but also so warming. I did not know any better of where this was, it was my world, my mind, the place that is my home.
I went with my parents and two brothers on holiday to Austria. Basicly the first holiday out of country I can remember (even if I know and am aware we have been to France and Belgium, I assume this was the first time we went for a longer holiday since I was born).
My mom let me choose a magazine. I clearly remember when and how this was. Amazing, I can point out the very point of the store. I only wanted the Penny, a Dutch young girls horse magazine. I screamed mad, I only wanted to have this one. It had an Icelandic Horse on cover. A chestnut one, with huge manes and a silk like skin. Grazing the fields of Iceland, fields that looked so familiar to me. I fell in love with this horse.
But I knew one of my neighbours daughters had such an Icelandic Horse named Skugga. I never thought odd of this name, it more sounded familiar to me. Nor did I look strange and the way this tiny horse looked and mostly walked. I was fascinated by it.
I read this magazine over and over again. It had a comic story about Icelandic Horses too, which thrilled my horsey heart of course. For the next years I begged and drooled to be allowed taking riding lessons. I spend ages with the smaller horses some farmers put out on an abandonned soccerfield (probably Icelandic Horse (3 gaited) or Shetland pony) illegally trying to ride them and groom them. It was my only way to be with horses, riding was too expensive.
I did have a subscription to Penny of course, and soon enough my room was decorated with horses all over. But my favorite was this silverdapple Icelandic Horse, with the Icelandic scenery in the background, running with its feet arched in flying tolt, his manes dancing in the wind. Unlike the other posters, this one always had a best spot on the wall.
As I gained more wisdom, well I talk about 2-3 years later, I had my first presentation at school. I insisted to do this on Iceland. My teacher thought it was much too complex for an 8 years old. And when I made a report, I was accused of not writing my own words. Which wasnt true. I was very devoted on my study on Iceland, read all the books, even those for adults (with lots of pictures) and knew all about volcanos in no time. As well as general geography of Iceland, the animals and of course the horses. I can imagine this was too intelligent for my age. But it was just my focus on this country that got a firm hold on me.
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| This actually my first ever moment on a horse, I imagined it to be Icelandic (but well it is a cross Shetland Pony of course) I know it is at such terrible pony mill walk (large) circles all day moment. Luckily it stopped, but well these ponies were not maltreated, got plenty of breaks and grazing. But it is just boring work for them. |
At this time I also made a statement I wanted to have a horse. An Icelandic Horse. With my mother I went to an anual horsefair. Of course the Dutch Icelandic Horse Studbook was there too. With horses available to ride. Of course I was in line. And a black pretty stallion like horse was presented to me. They told me to be carefull, he was very sensitive. And I had not much riding experience. How was that going to work? While mounting him, the saddle swifted making him nervous. In the end I softly fell into the saddle, and that feeling... that exact feeling of the moment never ever left my memory.
There was this weird kind of energetic exchange between me and this horse. So tiny he was, I felt like taking the sky when I mounted him. He grew unseen, giving an incredible boost of energy. I cannot explain it. But for what I would say, I felt Iceland underneath. The power, the heat, the sturdiness, the wild, the rough energy. But when the horse started to walk and eventualy tolt a bit, I felt like flying. This is amazing. And believe me, except with my horse in Portugal (who was a black stallion), I never ever experienced this with any horse ever since. And, I can only feel understood by those who know/own/ride Icelandic Horses themself in this feeling. They all say the same about this 'weird but funny' feeling when you sit on an Icelandic Horse. It is like a volcanic eruption, the energy that connects and a feeling you lift up and fly away. I know this description sounds odd but there are people who know what I mean. You get on a small, appearantly way too small pony, but you ride on a sturdy big draughthorse. As you see, it is a feeling that cannot be put into words that easily.
The next years until february 2012 were focussed mainly on horses, always gaited horses. I did my study at the Dutch Equestrian School, but I was quite against all the formalities there. I had absolutely nothing with the riding (at least not dressage/jumping) and felt too bonded with breeds that were not accepted (if you can't ride high level dressage and the horse has no famous sire, you are a zero). I still long to own a Tennessee Walking Horse, Morgan Horse and a Lusitano. But I must say in honesty, I think my next horse(s) will be Icelandic. For a reason that is. I came across a horsejob in Iceland, but I was too young to make a change to go live there. But also my wish to go live in such nordic country that only an Icelandic horse can survive the cold winters on rough food. I fear the other breeds I like need to be kept inside or underneath lots of blankets and need much more food to keep warm. They are the horses from warm climates. During the years I also started to look different to the horses and how we treat them. I could not live anymore with the idea we put them in solitair stables, denying them 24/7 contact with other horses. I came across someone who hated Icelandic Horses and called them 'afgrijslanders'. IJslander is Dutch for the breed. But afgrijslander would mean something like
horrificlander. Just because people don't understand the spirit of the breed. While in my opinion these horses are the purest in character. They are not the numb horses that do whatever YOU want. And thinking of that, made me realise an Icelandic Horse (or well not just one, I cannot bear it to have just one horse) could be the missing link in my life. And that is maybe why the spirit of this tiny black Icelandic Horse remained so alive.
Iceland has never been off my mind. But it is a very expensive destination to go to. It was always on my list, but obviously never in reach for me. Until last year I asked myself why would I not just go for it. It is a country that screams to be visited. And just that moment I saw a cheap deal to visit Iceland, within my financial limits. Only I could not make it to go at those dates. Just had my holidays etc. I decided to look again the next year.
Not long ago I found the notes I made for my Icelandic essay, and the little booklet in which I had to keep track of my grades at highschool. Its cover? Icelandic horses... Tiny things make me smile.
After visiting Finnish Lapland, I found out that my heart beats for Scandinavian countries. At this moment I was curious if it could be that Finland would have knocked off Iceland from the number 1 of favorite places. I felt floating on pink clouds and sick of misery for many weeks after returning home. I could only know by going to Iceland. Soon. The urge to go was uncontrollable, I even felt like cheating on Iceland to go flirt with Finland. Am I crazy? Maybe a bit yes. Everything felt so perfect there in Finland. But I was sad to not have seen the northern lights. And besides being beautifull, Finnish countryside is by far not as spectaculair as Iceland with its geysirs, volcanos, mudswamps, glaciers and thermal pools. And northern lights. While it is supposed to be the best season in many many years for auroras I was not with luck in Lapland. We were lucky to be there in the one week without activity. Just between two major solar storms, coloring the sky the day before arrival (of which I luckily have seen the very last glows) and the day after departure.
I now felt very strong I wanted to go to Iceland. Within a week after returning home from Lapland the feeling got uncontrolable killing me softly in my need to go there. Iceland was calling, no... screaming out to me. There is a reason why I have to go there. And I can only know by going. And I booked, jumping out of joy. 5 days for a decent price. And so excited! I had to make a personal sacrifice to do so, but it will be worth it.
And now it is only 14 days away. The excitement is building up. Such a long wanted desire almost coming true. The best thing is that Iceland in the end allows to import pets now, which has been close to impossible for a long time (except horses, which still are and hopefully will be forbidden). And there are plenty horsejobs available. I of course go riding and hope I can get an answer or more information on this jobs. If I am right I go ride at a place who frequently asks international temporary and permanent staff members. It all depends on how the proces is to have my cats immigrated. If one thing is for sure, I won't go without my cats.... but the 4 weeks quarantaine needs to be within my limits of acceptance. And we all know, islands and especially Iceland are usully very extremely fuzzy about importing anything that lives. I understand that, of course but it is a hard task for me. For if I didnt have cats, Iceland probably would have been my new home already.
Well... lets see! I live my life in full excitement for a while. Sooo curious to this mystical and mysterious land.
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