Iceland

Icelandic horses are in a category of their own, and the smooth four-beat trot or “tölt” is a treasured gait that is celebrated at the national horse ...

Riding pants should be tight and seamless (thicker yoga pants work well for an hour or two in the saddle), while hiking or Chelsea-style boots need a thick sole for navigating rocky terrain. National carrier Icelandair not only helps export Icelandic horses around the world but travelers can book riding experiences alongside their flights, including a two-hour tour of [Laxnes](https://www.icelandair.com/en-ie/vacations/tours/laxnes-horseriding/), where trolls are said to bathe at Tröllafoss waterfall after midnight on a full moon. Famous for their positive spirit and willingness to work with people, Icelandic horses grow up in the wild, which many believe helps to form their resilient and respectful temperament. Whether coming during the summer months (April through September) or winter (some tour operators offer rides between October and April when chances of seeing the northern lights are higher), pack warm clothes for layering. “I’m one of those girls who came here because of the horses and never left,” she laughs. “The horses are versatile with a friendly character and good temperament. Their character is so unique, but when you come from Iceland, you take it for granted because we only have one breed, and we feel this is just how a horse should behave.” This year crowds braved unpredictable July weather (wet and windy with temperatures hovering around 50 Fahrenheit, many sported waterproof overalls) to catch the action from an outdoor oval track in Hella, South Iceland. They feature in local mythology, too–it’s said horseshoe-shaped canyon Ásbyrgi was created by Sleipnir (an eight-footed horse ridden by Odin), while their smooth four-beat trot or “tölt” is also called “the gait of the gods.” Brought to the island by Norse settlers in the 9th century, over 1,000 years of selective breeding has created the modern Icelandic horse. First held in 1950 at Thingvellir National Park, today, rotating locations across Iceland bid to host the week-long equestrian show. [Landsmót](https://www.landsmot.is/en).