Since then, his journey has been an adventure—living in the United States, meeting his wife and business partner, Christina Guzik, and sharing their love for horses. Today, they run Hestaland together, offering guests the chance to experience Icelandic horseback riding in West Iceland, surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of Borgarbyggð.
What’s your first memory of horses?
Even though I was only about five or six years old, I clearly remember the moment when I rode a horse by myself for the first time. Up until then, I wasn’t too eager to ride, because I was kind of scared of the horses and convinced that I couldn’t control them on my own. But one day, my dad put me on a horse and led it next to him on a ride. On the way back to the stables, my dad decided to let go of the reins, and after a while, I realized I was riding the horse all by myself! After that, there was no going back—I was hooked.
“By the time I was eight, I was already training all the horses in the stable.”
What happened after that fateful ride?
I started competing two or three years after that experience. By the time I was eight, I was already training all the horses in the stable, and by the time I was fifteen, I had 12 to 14 horses in training. My whole life revolved around horses. I even got time off from school to go to horse shows abroad with my parents, who were selling horses, and I soon started working with them. This turned into a real passion, and by the time I was 20, I had moved to the United States on my own to work with Icelandic horses.
How did you end up exporting the Icelandic horse to the United States?
Our family had been selling horses to Europe, and at that time it wasn’t common to sell Icelandic horses to the U.S. It happened by accident that we sold a horse to a man living in Alaska—that was our first connection to America. After that, our family began attending horse shows in the U.S. and exported horses there for a few years.
Once I got my driver’s license, my older brother Hákon and I came up with the idea to buy a truck and horse trailer in Canada and go on a road trip in the U.S. with Icelandic horses. My mom and dad talked to our school principal, got us time off, and we brothers set off on a month-long trip down to Florida with ten Icelandic horses in tow. It was an incredible adventure. We stopped in New York, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, and ended at a show in Florida. We sold horses along the way, advertising in newspapers. It was a lot of work, but an amazing experience. Things went very well in the U.S., and I ended up getting a green card and moving there permanently in 2006.
Shortly after I was running a farm with 60-70 horses, managing sales and marketing for the Icelandic horse, and training horses while offering riding lessons. I also started a performance team called the “Knights of Iceland,” which showcases Icelandic horses at big shows in the U.S. The show involves fire, music, costumes, and even singing, making it a real spectacle. It was so much fun to create, and we’re still going strong with it. I moved back to Iceland in 2013 but continue to travel back and forth for riding instruction.
Christina and their two small kids are an integral part of all of Guðmars’ work at Hestaland.
Your wife, Christina, is American. How did you meet?
I was living in Kentucky and had to fly to Chicago to teach for a few days. On the flight back to Kentucky, we met by total chance. It was a 45-minute flight, just a quick hop. I always forgot to check in on time, so I ended up being the last one on the plane and didn’t have an assigned seat. I got on board, looked around, and the only seats left were the middle seats. Then I saw this beautiful woman and decided to sit next to her. We ended up talking the entire flight. She lived in Chicago but was going to a wedding in Kentucky. When we landed, I gave her my business card and the next day, she sent me an email asking if I was single!
Today, we live together in Iceland, have two children, and work together to develop and expand Hestaland. She manages staff, sales, marketing, and organizes tours, while I take care of the farm, barn staff, horses, riding tours, and everything related to the land. Since she’s come into the business full-time, Hestaland has grown and thrived. Not to mention our amazing team, including my eldest son, who is also working with me.
Why move back to Iceland and start Hestaland?
After running a successful business in the U.S. and gaining years of experience in the horse industry, I had a dream of owning a farm in Iceland where I could breed horses, run a small tourism business, and offer horseback riding tours. Then, in 2011, this farm in West Iceland came up for sale. The buildings were a bit rundown, but the location was unbelievable. The nature and the view were unique, with a panoramic view of the mountains. With the purchase of the farm, we acquired a house, riding arena, and stables. We started building right away, and it’s been nonstop work ever since. We built a guesthouse, stable facilities, and a home addition. It’s been a continuous process, but by 2018, we had fully moved to the farm.
If I want to go horseback riding, what do you offer at Hestaland?
Our offerings include short trail rides, full-day tours, and multi-day rides, during which we explore Iceland’s wilderness. We also welcome groups to visit the stables, learn about the Icelandic horse, and watch live demonstrations of its different gaits. Week-long workshops are available for serious riders. We also offer other exciting tours and retreats with optional horseback riding like “Sagas and Vikings,” “Writing and Riding,” “Knitting and Riding, and “Equine Photography and Riding.”
But, at the core, I’m focused on creating unforgettable experiences for people. I want to help people create unique memories that include a connection to nature and the horse. When people go on their first horseback ride, they realize how strong the Icelandic horse is. They are magnificent creatures, and what I find so beautiful is that, in the eyes of the horse, all are equal.
As a professional, I put a lot of emphasis on ensuring our horses are good-quality, well-trained, and well-cared for. We only use high-quality saddles and tack, and I don’t want the riding groups to be too large—10 people max. I always recommend private tours to experienced individuals, so that the beginners don’t slow down those who want to go faster. Everyone gets a quick lesson and training on their horse before their ride, and the educational aspect is a key part of what we do.
HandPicked by Picky locals
What makes the Icelandic horse special?
First to mention, it’s their history. The Icelandic horse is one of the oldest and purest breeds in the world. It arrived here with the Vikings and has been in isolation for over a thousand years. We maintain that purity with strict laws on horse imports. Once a horse leaves Iceland, it can never come back. This unique history and disease-free environment make the Icelandic horse truly special.
There’s also only one horse breed in Iceland, while most countries have many breeds. That makes the Icelandic horse very versatile. Over the centuries, we’ve used it for all kinds of tasks, from children’s rides to racing and as pack horses. This versatility is unique.
It’s also incredible that we don’t have to vaccinate our horses because of diseases, unlike in other countries, like the U.S., where you always need health certificates to travel with horses. I always had to get a vet to check the horses before going to shows. Here in Iceland, we can take our horses anywhere without needing any paperwork. This makes the horse community here really special. There are lots of horse neighborhoods in Iceland, and everyone can travel between them, making the community around the Icelandic horse one-of-a-kind in the world.
The Icelandic horse is also relatively small and sturdy, but extremely strong. It’s the only horse breed in the world ridden on five different gaits, including the tolt, which is a four-beat smooth gait that makes the Icelandic horse so comfortable to ride for long distances.
And lastly, their temperament is just incredible. They’re smart, and gentle, and make fantastic family horses.
“It’s just you, the horse, and the wild. There’s no clock, no distractions, just nature.”
What do you find most rewarding about working with the Icelandic horse in Iceland?
The culture of horse trekking in Iceland is like nothing else. Nowhere else can you go on long rides through the wilderness with a herd of 50-70 horses. The connection to nature is much deeper here than almost anywhere else. Everything elsewhere feels so man-made now. Here, it’s just you, the horse, and the wild. There’s no clock, no distractions, just nature. It’s a connection to yourself, in a way. It’s hard to describe the feeling. People have to experience it for themselves to understand what I’m talking about. And those who come back again and again are looking for that connection.
What are you doing to make your operation more sustainable?
On our longer trips, we ensure that we leave no trace behind by recycling everything. We don’t use plastic cups—we only use reusable lunch boxes, coffee mugs, and water bottles. Our aim is to buy as much local food as possible. We buy from farmers in the area and get our fish straight from the boat. This way, the ingredients are fresher; the food tastes better, and we’re supporting our local community, which we think is important.
