Whether you’re an experienced competitor or a recreational rider, every ride shapes the horse beneath you. At Hestaland, we believe every rider is a trainer. Our Winter Workshops are designed for riders who want to deepen their understanding of horse training and develop the skills to ride with greater purpose, feel, and confidence.

This is not a traditional riding holiday, but a rare opportunity to step into the daily life of Hestaland’s professional training stable and experience what it is like to work as an assistant trainer for one week.

Created and led by internationally respected trainer Guðmar Pétursson, Hestaland’s training program is built on developing thoughtful, independent riders and trainers. Throughout the workshop, you’ll work alongside Guðmar and Hestaland trainers, gaining firsthand insight into the methods, decision-making, and philosophy behind a successful professional training stable.

You will be entrusted with two carefully selected project horses that match your experience level and training interests, whether that means developing a young horse, improving a stiff horse, or working with another suitable training project.

Rather than following a fixed lesson format, you’ll learn through a combination of daily instruction, independent practice, observation, and discussion. Every morning, each rider receives a daily riding lesson with Guðmar or Vibeke, after which you’ll continue training independently under their supervision. This approach encourages you to develop your own feel, judgment, and problem-solving skills while receiving expert guidance, feedback, and support throughout the process.

Outside of your own riding, you’ll become part of the rhythm of our professional training stable. Observe the daily work, ask questions, and take part in the daily routines of the stable. Winter is our busiest training season, giving you an authentic behind-the-scenes experience of a working Icelandic horse training operation.

This workshop is particularly well suited to curious, motivated, and independent riders who enjoy learning by doing. Our most successful assistant trainers are those who actively observe, ask thoughtful questions, and embrace the opportunity to think like trainers rather than simply follow instructions.

Many of our Winter Workshop participants are already members of Guðmar’s Patreon community, where hundreds of training videos explore the same methods and philosophy you’ll experience at Hestaland. Guests often use the videos to prepare before arriving, revisit concepts after returning home, and continue developing their training skills throughout the year.

Each participant receives:

• Two daily riding lessons (one on each project horse)
• Two carefully selected project horses, including tack
• Independent daily training sessions under professional supervision
• Six nights’ accommodation at Hestaland Guesthouse
• Daily lunch with the Hestaland training team (Monday-Friday of your workshop week)
• Full access to observe and participate in the daily life of our professional training stable

With only a small number of participants accepted for each workshop, the experience remains highly personal and allows for extensive one-on-one mentorship throughout the week.