Over the last weekend of January, representatives all disciplines of the international Icelandic horse community met in Budapest for the annual FEIF conference. In several meetings, the chairpersons from 12 FEIF member associations met  to discuss a wide number of topics, ranging from the possible introduction of human (rider and officials) doping tests at specified events, via current horse welfare concerns –  also in the context of assisted reproduction technologies – to FEIF  finances. As a result it was agreed to form a working group with a focus on fair and sustainable membership fees of FEIF Associations, and another one exploring practical pathways of how best to to take the issue of human doping tests  for the future.

The event was hosted by the Hungarian Icelandic horse Association ‘Magyar, Izlandi Lovas Egyesület’ which became a FEIF member in 2020. The hospitality and generosity of our Hungarian hosts was exemplary and delegates were treated to a unique programme (with an Icelandic focus) by a uniquely Hungarian horse theatre and dinner cruise on the Danube to soak in the sights of the magnificent city.
Most of all, the opportunity of delegates from most of the 22 national Icelandic horse associations to meet face to face to get to know each other better and to share very different starting point and perspectives on sometime difficult issues, strengthens the determination of all national associations to continue grow together in their shared passion of the Icelandic horses.