The equestrian centre Fákasel opened in Ölfus in February this year. The centre, which also features a sleek and modern restaurant and designer shop, is situated midways between the neighbouring towns of Hveragerði and Selfoss on the south coast of Iceland. Its aim is to showcase the Icelandic horse’s talent and beauty.
For centuries Icelanders would refer to the Icelandic horse as “þarfasti þjónninn”, or “the most useful servant” as it made living in this rugged land somewhat easier. Fákasel pays tribute to this former “most useful servant” in the country’s very first equestrian theatre, with daily performances for the public.
The horse is most certainly the star of the show.
Guðmar Þór Pétursson, assistant managing director of Fákasel and the show‘s director, told Channel 2 News that although a lot of work has been put into the centre’s design and exterior, the Icelandic horse is the main attraction.
“The horse is most certainly the star of the show,” Pétursson said.
What makes the Icelandic horse unique is that it can display two gaits additional to the typical walk, trot and gallop. The first being a four-beat ambling gait called tölt, and the second being a pace called skeið, or flying pace. The latter gate is fast and smooth with some horses being able to reach up to 48 kilometres per hour (30 miles per hour). These two additional gaits will be featured in the show which also intertwines Iceland‘s history and the country’s folklore.
Iceland’s first “equestrian theatre” is open for business. Icelandic horses are the stars of the show, says director of equestrian show. The centre also features a restaurant and designer shop.
The equestrian centre Fákasel opened in Ölfus in February this year. The centre, which also features a sleek and modern restaurant and designer shop, is situated midways between the neighbouring towns of Hveragerði and Selfoss on the south coast of Iceland. Its aim is to showcase the Icelandic horse’s talent and beauty.
For centuries Icelanders would refer to the Icelandic horse as “þarfasti þjónninn”, or “the most useful servant” as it made living in this rugged land somewhat easier. Fákasel pays tribute to this former “most useful servant” in the country’s very first equestrian theatre, with daily performances for the public.
The horse is most certainly the star of the show.
Guðmar Þór Pétursson, assistant managing director of Fákasel and the show‘s director, told Channel 2 News that although a lot of work has been put into the centre’s design and exterior, the Icelandic horse is the main attraction.
“The horse is most certainly the star of the show,” Pétursson said.
What makes the Icelandic horse unique is that it can display two gaits additional to the typical walk, trot and gallop. The first being a four-beat ambling gait called tölt, and the second being a pace called skeið, or flying pace. The latter gate is fast and smooth with some horses being able to reach up to 48 kilometres per hour (30 miles per hour). These two additional gaits will be featured in the show which also intertwines Iceland‘s history and the country’s folklore.
