I am actually rather shy

from Eiðfaxi International - 01/2021

Landsmót

in a pinto mare that he bought from Gerðar in Austur-Landeyjar. At the time the mare was fiveyears-old and had had three foals already! I said yes to Sæli and got the mare to Reykjavík. In the beginning she showed no signs of being talented since she lacked muscles, only went around in a very pacy tölt and barely had any leg action. So I usually trained her early in the mornings so as few people as possible would see me riding her. This went on for weeks and I didn’t think she would grow at all. In March I am out riding Sæla and passing the riding hall in Víðidalur, which had newly been built. There were some kind of loud construction going on and it was like she suddenly woke up from a Sleeping Beauty sleep! She begins to stamp down in pure tölt with amazingly high leg action and it just gave me goosebumps to experience this change! I just sat there afraid to move and we kept on going for about two kilometers. Then I stopped, got off and walked back to the stables because I wanted to leave her happy and calm after this special experience of ours. This was a turning point in the training, and she started to show me all her amazing abilities from that point on. We had great times together, she is a huge part in my success as a rider and is unforgettable to me. Ársæll and I bred her son together, Sær frá Bakkakoti, sired by Orri frá Þúfu. Sær is quite the unique horse like his mother and has proven to be a successful stallion”.

The Horse School

After a few good years in Víðidalur Hafliði decided to change things up and move his horse business out of the urban area. The winter from 1997-1998 he had a training center in Langholt í Flóa, near the town Hveragerði. The following winter he moved again and took a part in a new project. „Örn Karlsson was building a great facility at Ingólfshvoll in Ölfus and following that people started to think about how that facilty could be used to make the equestrianism in Iceland better. It was then that the idea of a horse school came up, Hestaskólinn á Ingólfshvoli. We thought of The Horse School as an economic choice compared to Hólaskóli, Hólar University. The studies at Hólaskóli were certainly detailed but also time consuming and expensive. We had this idea of a three-month long course which we would compress the curriculum and give young people the chance to get to know all sides of equestrianism without having to commit to a school for many years. We had amazing professionals with great experience join our team. I can name a few like Atli Guðmundsson, Olil Amble, Þórður Þorgeirsson, Einar Öder Magnússon, advisor Ágúst Sigurðsson and veterinarian Páll Stefánsson. We had a lot of courage and registrations for the school exceeded our expectations.“ The winter from 1998-1999 was the first operating winter of The Horse School and Hafliði says that it went well despite having to deal with some difficulties in the beginning. In the fall of 1999 some students declared how dissatisfied they were with Hafliði‘s teaching strategies and harsh training of the young horses which were used for teaching. This got to the media and started up some pretty heated discussion. To sum it up a reconciliation was made in order for the school to be able to keep on operating. This reconciliation consisted of Hafliði withdrawing from day-to-day teaching for the most part. The School did unfortunately not manage to survive these accusations and was shut down in 2000. „If I had known beforehand how things would

evolve, I would have never been a part of the project, never! We brought this new idea to the table and it came clear early on that certain institutions and officials were against our idea from the beginning. Some people thought we were trying to exploit Hólaskóli and the teaching strategies there, but I always looked at The Horse School as a conventional alternative to Hólaskóli. I can say that the chairman of the Trainer’s Association at the time, Ólafur Hafsteinn Einarsson was completely opposed to the idea, therefore all chances of partnership were impossible. The dissatisfaction of the students was also completely blown out of proportion by the media and Jónas Kristjánsson the editor of DV had a lot to do with that. I will gladly admit that I made some mistakes in my job as principal but none that deserved such a harsh attack by the media. The case ended in front of the District Court where I was cleared of all charges but thedamage was done and The Horse Schools reputation was ruined. The idea of The Horse School was and still is great, of that I am convinced.”

Ármót

At the turn of the century Hafliði‘s life took yet another turn. The Horse School had perished and as they say: When one door closes another one opens. „Around this time I bought the land Ármót and that is a story to tell. I was traveling overseas judging horses and out of the blue I got a phone call from a girl, Josefine Evert, who had taken a riding class with me a long time ago. She asked if I could make a pitstop in Stockholm on my way home to Iceland and I decide to do so. I had no idea why she wanted me to make that pitstop but at the airport an older man welcomes me with the words „Hei Haffe, vil du kaffe?“ (Hey Haffi, want some coffee?). That man was Dan Evert. We talked and he brought up the errand, which was to find a mare for him in Iceland and pair her with a stallion. That was easily retrieved on my behalf. Shortly after that he wanted to buy another mare and that’s how it snowballed. Soon he proposed to me an idea that we should buy a land together in Iceland. I was hesitant at first, but he convinced me that it was better for everyone to have their own rather than having to rely on others. I start to look around for land and Dan completely trusts me with that. Location, size, housing, price? When I asked him his answer was always „It‘s up to you.“ A word had started to spread out that I was looking for a piece of land and Gunnar Jóhannsson contacts me and offers me Ármót, a land he had recently acquired at an auction. This was a land I had dreamt of having for a long time, but I never thought that dream would come true. It was big and hat lots of perks and at a great location. At this time, it was very neglected, all the houses, fences and fields were more or less ruined. I saw great potential in the land nonetheless and we Hafliði and the riders at Ármót, Leó Geir Arnarson, Martine Sverresvold and Sigursteinn Sumarliðason. Photo: Petra Lönnqvist/Hestafoto.

ÍBISHÓLL

Íbishóll is an Icelandic horse breeding farm in Skagafjörður. We get approximately 30 foals every year which we train and sell. We also sell some of the young horses before they are started under saddle. The farm Íbishóll is approximately 310 ha and situated close to Varmahlið in Skagafjörður, North West Iceland and is well suited for horse breeding. The horses have their summer grazing up in the mountains which we think is an important experience for them (especially the young ones) to make them strong and healthy and be able to behave like “wild” horses during summer at least! Our breeding goal is a fivegaited horse with a lot of controllable and fun spirit, but we also love good fourgaiters. We like horses that are roomy, supple and with big movements. The first famous horse breed from Íbishóll was Fengur (M: Gnótt frá Ytra-Skörðugili and F: Fafnir frá Fagranesi). Fengur won the Tölt competition at the World Championship in 1999 ridden by Johann Skúlason. The company Íbishóll ehf. is own and run by Magnús Bragi Magnússon and Elisabeth Jansen and we would much appreciate if you contact us by facebook (Ibisholl) or e-mail: ibisholl@simnet.is or just give us a call (+345) 8623788! Magnús and Elisabeth

ended up buying Ármót”. Following the buy, we began constructing and had to tear down most of the houses. We also had to clean the ditches and put-up new fences among other things.“ Hafliði says that he definitely wondered what mess he had gotten himself into. „I can vividly recall when Dan came to visit Ármót for the first time. At the time demolition was in full force and the land did not look like it would ever be suitable for horse farming. Inga, my wife at the time, asked Dan what he thought of the land and after some consideration he just said: „I think I know that Haffi knows what needs to be done.“ He did not have any longing to interfere with the construction himself. He trusted me 100% the whole time.“ The construction at Ármót started early in 2001. It was formally over two years later with an opening ceremony on January 18th in 2003. It is believed that around 5000 people visited Ármót that day. It is safe to say that Ármót was the best horse keeping facility in the country at the time. High ceilings, wide hallways, pens for well over a hundred horses. The biggest two horse pens were around 20 square meters, enormous residence and a riding hall to name a few.

The purchase of Ármót and all the construction there were extremely expensive. Hafliði says that the total cost was never formally calculated but it is clear that it was hundreds of million ISK. „When construction was in full force, I remember there were around sixty people working and I was paying about six or seven millions per week. It was so special and unbelievable really that Dan just transferred more and more millions to me without asking a question or making a comment about the construction. It was just unsolicited. The only thing he wanted to know when we talked was what the weather was like and whether the horses were doing OK! I made sure from the start to hire an accountant and a lawyer to keep track of finance. It wasn’t until years later, shortly after Dan passed away in, that I found out that he wasn‘t and had never been registered as an owner of Ármót. Until then I always thought we owned Ármót together. All these assets he had contributed were a so-called subordinated loan which meant I was the only registered owner and could refund that loan whenever I pleased without any interest or additional expenses. The trust he had for me was so much and I did everything in my power to stand up to that trust. I have often wondered why a man I did not know at all until I met him at the airport in Stockholm turned out so amazing for me. He only had one daughter, had never been married so I think he just thought of me as his son, however weird that may sound. He also showed great interest in Iceland, the nature and The Icelandic Sagas and really enjoyed visiting Ármót and the horses. We really cared for each other and I look at him as one of the greatest and most benefactors in my life.” Great friends! Hafliði and the amazing Portuguese riding instructor Julio Borba. Photo: private collection.

Ármót is a special place

The idea behind Ármót is built on two pillars, selling horses and tourism and the business has worked out well. „I am proud of my job at Ármót“ Hafliði says. „Both the fact that we completely gave it a new life after having been neglected and the fact that business has been great the last years. Tourism obviously offers a lot of opportunities such as horseback riding, angling, shooting, bird watching in the clean and pure nature all around. Ármót is a special place and I have immense faith in what can be done there and there are already some future plans of more development there. Up until now horse selling and breeding has been the base of the business. I have done very well in that field since I only sell good horses.

I have no interest in selling hundreds of horses a year, I would rather sell fewer good horses. I have never had to advertise my horses for sale, my reputation has been enough for me thus far. I have also been lucky with which stallions I choose for breeding, especially with Sær and Ás frá Ármóti. Sær has proved himself as a breeding horse many times and Ás has also been great. His offspring is gorgeous and easy to train, have a great temperament and solid gaits. In the beginning I had 25 mares in breeding but I have reduced that number to 13 and the idea is to reduce that number even more rather than increase it. It is the same idea as the horse sale, I want to focus on quality and put in more hours of work in each individual in order for the value to increase.”

National Team

It is not possible to look over Hafliði‘s life without going over his career with the National Team, both as a rider and a coach. His first World Championship was in Austria in 1987. He competed on Ísak frá Runnum. He also competedat the WC in Austria in 2001 and won the Tölt Horn for Team Iceland on the gorgeous horse Valíant frá Heggsstöðum. That win was the endpoint of Hafliði‘s competitive career. „I am the kind of guy that if I compete it is the first place or nothing. It has never been enough for me just to partake or ‘just’ getting through to the finals. The win with Valíant in Austria was a certain highlight in my competitive career and it is always a good thing to finish at the top. Sigurður Sæmundsson asked me and the late Einar Öder Magnússon to help him direct the national team. It was truly an honour to be asked to help the National Team and our collaboration was truly incredible because both Sigurður and A victory moment at the WC2001 in Austria. Hafliði had just won T1 riding Valíant frá Heggsstöðum. With them in the picture are Guðni Ágústsson minister af agriculture at the time and his wife Margrét Hauksdóttir. Photo: Eiðfaxi.

Einar were honourable men. When Sigurður quit coaching the National Team Einar took over and lead the National Team at the WC in 2009, me and Einar then lead the National Team together at the WC in 2011, then I entirely took over and was the team leader at the WC 2013 in Berlin.” Hafliði says that the years he spent with the National Team were both a fun and giving time but at the same time he realized more the politics that surround the National Team. „It is a big boiling pot of politics and not always good,” he says. „There is a lot of advocacy there for certain members who more than anything want the control in their hands and unfortunately the National Team’s interests isn’t always in the first place. I, for example, suggested that we would establish a National Group by searching for direct participation from the riding clubs to appoint the group. The team leader could then add to the group as he wanted. That, in my opinion, would have been a great benefactor for Icelandic equestrianism and it is a great recognition for riders to be picked for a team that way. This was not well liked at the time but when the new team leader took over it sounded like the greatest idea ever however weird that may sound. At the same time I don’t think we respected the Nordic Championship enough. It is like some people look at those tournaments as comfortable preparation tournaments for the WC but these tournaments are very strong and we should act like they are.“ The departure from the National Team was not how Hafliði had imagined.

„I had alot of fun with the National Team and considered my job there well done. I could have seen myself continuing to work for the National Team at least until the next World Championship but I did not get the support from the National Team Committee and that is how it ended. I think I know what went on behind the curtains and who were the main characters in that play. It is something those people have to have to themselves but I don’t feel bad towards any of them.”

The future

On February 7th 2020 Hafliði turned sixty. When you reach a milestone like that in your life you will look back and reflect on what you have done with it but at the same time you look forward to the future. „I will continue the business I have at Ármót as long as I enjoy it. I am never lazy when it comes to work if I do say so myself, I work 16-18 hours each day and enjoy myself in the farm work. I like to have everything around me in perfect condition if I use a teaspoon, I will wash it immediately and put it back when I am done. Tidiness is something I was born with and some people say I am a bit particular regarding this and I just enjoy it. But everything has it’s lifespan and I don’t plan on growing old at Ármót. I have considered selling, I even had a couple of very good offers a few years back, but they didn’t quite reach my appraisal. I am not going to stress over selling and when the right offer comes I will agree to it.” But what is the magic number Hafliði won’t refuse?„I am not afraid to say it. I estimate the value of Ármót at one billion ISK.” Hafliði‘s personal life hasn‘t always been perfect through the decades but he says he is satisfied and at a good place today. „I lived with Inga for over twenty years and together we have three grown children; Magnús, Hafþór and Hafrún and we even have three grandchildren. Inga is an amazing woman, and we are great friends and always have been. It probably wasn’t easy, living with me at that time, I was gone a lot regarding horses and hunting but she was very considerate and when we separated, it was all in great harmony. Today I am in a relationship with Helga Möller, stewardess and singer. We have been together for two years now. I remember Helga from when she was in the band Celsíus and played at the club back in the day. We were acquaintances but it wasn’t until New Years Eve in 2017 that I see her picture on Facebook and despite being a naturally shy guy I decide to leave a comment on her photo. She answers my comment almost immediately and we talk all through the night. I would say that our relationship is glorious and I hope she feels the same way.” Where will Hafliði be in ten years? „I have been extremely healthy all my life, haven’t even had a headache! There is actually a genetic heart disease in my family, so I am being monitored for that, but I have never felt anything related to that, thank God. I plan on being in full swing at seventy and I will definitely not be out of projects by that time. I still enjoy hunting a lot, maybe even more than I used to so I will have plenty to do. I might have reduced my business by then and moved from Ármót, maybe even set up a smaller facility with a few horses. Or I might even just buy a nice house in Portugal and become neighbours with my great friend Julio Borba! You never know where you are going to end up.”

Six memorable horses from Hafliði‘s career

Hrafn frá Holtsmúla Saigon (Sæþór) frá Bakkakoti Sæla frá Gerðum

Riding Hrafn was like riding a diffent breed. His strength and carriage was amazing! Strong gaits with so much speed and an excellent character. Hrafn is a milestone stallion in the breeding history of the Icelandic horse. I got many of his offspring to train and most of them were very good.

Photo: Eiríkur Jónsson Saigon was að horse I had in 1984-85 son of Ófeigur frá Flugumýri. Many of my colleagues may be surprised to see that name, but Saigon was a gæðingur, very clear and good gaits with good speed and high leg action.

Photo: Eiríkur Jónsson The queen herself, who has had the most impact on my career. She always draw attention, her radiation, extraordinary movements, amazing top line and head carriage, always positive and forward thinking. Our years together were like in a fairy tale, simple as that.

Photo: Eiríkur Jónsson

Næla frá Bakkakoti

Daughter of Sæla but in many parts unlike her mother. Her father was just some young stallion but she was incredible! Her character and courage was unbelievable. She would never blink in any condition, always forward.

Photo: Eiðfaxi

Sær frá Bakkakoti

Sær is a mix of two of the best horses in Iceland at that time, and that mix certainly worked out. We established a corporation around him when he was only three-days-old and his worth then was seven million ISK. Sær has excellent gaits and a solid character you can trust. A gæðingur that has put his mark on the breeding.

Photo: Eiríkur Jónsson

Valíant frá Heggsstöðum

One of the most beautiful creatures I have seen. Black, lots of mane and majestic with great big movements. You had to be dead not to be charmed looking at him. I think I won every single tölt tournament we took part in and a very sweet moment to get the Tölthorn in our final competition in 2001.

Photo: Eiríkur Jónsson

Jarl frá Árbæjarhjáleigu with offsprings

The Breeding Day

Eiðfaxi´s Breeding Day was held on the 9th of May at the show ground of Fákur riding club in Víðidalur Reykjavík. The weather really made a great day spectacular for riders, horses and guests. Eiðfaxi offered Live Stream from the event and the choice between English, German or Icelandic language. We were humble and happy to see how many subscribers logged on to our fairly priced event from more than twenty countries world wide. Many people also visited the show grounds, staying save remembering the 2m rule because of the COVID-19 pandemic and enjoyed beeing outside watching all the magnificent horses. Eiðfaxi wants to thank everyone who made this day memorable. These are the riders, breeders and horse owners and all the volunteers and staff, the Horses of Iceland project for collaborating with us when it came to marketing and Fákur as the generous hosts. The photos from The Breeding Day were taken by Gunnar Freyr for Horses of Iceland and Eiðfaxi.