A DREAM I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW I HAD

I have loved horses my entire life, but I didn’t take proper riding lessons until last year. By the way, I’m in my mid-50s. When I first signed up for lessons, I wanted a summer hobby I loved as much as my winter hobby, skiing. But it soon turned into a year-round obsession, and my goal became reaching an intermediate level so I could go on horseback riding tours all over the world, just like I do with skiing.

So, I set my sights on my first horse tour to Iceland. I mean, what better way to see the beautiful country of Iceland than on Icelandic horses?

I signed up.

Mind you, this tour was for intermediate-to-advanced riders. I was not there yet, and I also needed to learn to ride in an English saddle.

With help from Susan, Julia, and Nikki at Cornerstone Ranch, I began preparing for an August 2026 Iceland Landmannalaugar Adventure horse tour that would include six days of riding and sleeping in a farmhouse and mountain hut—with instructions to bring a sleeping bag.

If I was going to do this, I was going to go big!

I took weekly group lessons to get ready, then added private lessons and other weekend group lessons when I could to get even more experience. A horseback riding friend loaned me her English saddle, and another friend loaned me her martingale. We fit the saddle to Captain, as he was the closest horse to the size of an Icelandic horse, although still quite a bit bigger.

Susan, Nikki, and Julia had me practicing riding with stirrups, without stirrups, in half-seat, doing agility exercises, going over small obstacles, forming lines with other horses, and really working on my balance.

Some of the best things that happened to me while training were actually the moments when something went wrong. I would get off balance and was taught how to regain my balance without stopping the horse. I would lose my stirrups and learned how to get my feet back into them while continuing to ride. If I was riding a horse who was more forward and sensitive—aka Murphy—I had to learn how to slow him down without simply pulling on the reins.

I also learned how to put on and take off an English saddle because I knew I’d need to do this myself in Iceland. The final skill I needed to master before leaving was cantering in an English saddle, which I accomplished toward the end of my training. Nikki also took me out of the ring and around the property so I could get used to riding on uneven surfaces.

I was ready.

I arrived in Iceland and was taken to a quaint ranch out in the countryside, surrounded by almost 100 Icelandic horses. It was picturesque, to say the least. The people who ran the tour and the women who joined us were all wonderful.

On Day 1, we were assigned horses, saddles, saddle pads, and nosebands. We saddled up—and thank God I knew how!—mounted our horses from the ground, and went on our first ride around the property.

I felt comfortable and balanced on my horse.

Icelandic horses have a special gait called the tölt. It can be very fast, but it is also incredibly comfortable and much smoother than a trot.

One day down, and I thought I was going to be just fine.

Then came Day 2.

We were going to be riding for five to six hours with a herd of horses.

What?!

I asked to ride toward the back because if you are in the front, you need to make sure the herd does not overtake you—and you definitely don’t want to end up in the middle of the herd. Being surrounded by a moving herd of nearly 100 horses would put both you and your horse in a potentially dangerous situation, with horses moving closely around you on all sides. Horses are herd animals who want to be guided more by the herd than the rider. So, I stayed in the back. When you are riding behind the herd, you also need to make sure your own horse doesn’t speed ahead and get into it. I made sure to stay behind our fearless leaders, Sarah, Magnus, and Doddi.

Off we went through lava fields, over mountains, through valleys, rivers, and streams. The terrain changed constantly from one area to another.

Iceland was magnificent.

I could not believe I was actually doing this. It was a dream that I didn’t even know I had—or even knew existed.

From the back, I could see almost 100 horses in front of me galloping through the Icelandic countryside. These Icelandic horses were incredible, tölting, cantering, and galloping across the landscape.

I was in heaven.

And I was riding just fine.

My balance was great because of everything I had learned in my lessons at Cornerstone Ranch. If I became unbalanced, I used the tips and techniques they had taught me. If I lost a stirrup—which I did once—I knew exactly what to do. I got my foot back into it with no problem while the horse was galloping!

Two days into the trip, an Icelandic woman told me that the tour operators had initially been concerned about my riding ability because I had only been riding for a year. However, after seeing me ride and what I could do, she told me they were very pleased with how well I was handling the tour.

I was so happy to hear this.

At the end of the adventure, I even received a certificate for completing the tour.

This was one of the best experiences of my life. Iceland and Icelandic horses are magical. Tourists would pull over, get out of their cars, and take pictures of us as we passed. I’m sure we were quite a sight to see!

Below is a video that will give you an idea of what this incredible tour was like. If you would like to experience the adventure for yourself, you can learn more about the Landmannalaugar Adventure through Íshestar: Íshestar Landmannalaugar Adventure.

I loved the experience so much that I have already booked my next horseback riding adventure in Scotland, where I will participate in the historic Common Ridings. My next goal is to become stronger and more secure riding in two-point position, while continuing to improve my balance, riding skills, and communication with the horse.

I do not doubt that Nikki, Susan, and Julia will help me get there.

I went to Cornerstone Ranch looking for a summer hobby. I never imagined that a little more than a year later I would find myself riding across Iceland with nearly 100 horses in front of me—or that I would come home and immediately start training for Scotland.

Sometimes the best dreams are the ones you don’t even know you have until you find them.

Thank you to Cornerstone Ranch—and especially Susan, Julia, and Nikki—for helping me turn a new hobby into an adventure I will never forget. And thank you to Íshestar for giving me a once-in-a-lifetime experience.