Australia will have a team representing our nation at the 2025 Icelandic Horse World Championships (WC) in Switzerland for the first time!
Team Coach: Anna Eschner
Team Manager: Susanna Wand (manager of the German Team at the last 4 WC).
In February we held the first squad viewing and Training at Megalong Icelandic Horses with our Team Coach Anna Eschner.
In the A Squad (actively training with Anna online) are: Anne-Claire Meijer, Birgit Kossmann, Laura Hall-Smith, Michelle Glorie and Sara Sjoquist.
In the B Squad (reserve Squad) are: Eira Backan, Joelle Del Rio and Lucy Casella
Further members of the training team: Evie Oliver, Sigrid Barrah
Next review of the A and B squad after the online competition in November 2024.
Contact Person for Team matters and Sponsorship requests within Australia: Anja Giese email: anja.giese@outlook.com
For more information and the complete journey of our Team, follow the link to the official Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557796934650
The Icelandic Horse WC are held every two years by the FEIF in one of the European members’ countries. In 2025 Switzerland will be the location of the most important competition in the Icelandic Horse World.
https://www.wc2025.ch/en official website for the WC 2025
About 22 nations will compete in various competitions to win one 24 WC titles. Up to 13,000 spectators are expected for the weekend of the big Finals.
The Icelandic Horse community is one big family that thrives from including all their members in this big event. The FEIF and its members make it possible, that even the “small” countries from far away can participate by providing them with horses to use in the competitions. This is the only way Australia can be part of this amazing event.
To make sure, that we are well prepared and sending the best and most dedicated riders across the Globe to represent our country, we have come up with a selection system and a strict training program for all applicants. All riders do monthly sessions via zoom or video with Anna, do additional team trainings online, for example with international Sports Judge Lutz Lesener, watch endless competitions via the Eyja Livestream and even travel overseas to ride some competitions. We don’t have compeitions on oval and pace tracks in Australia yet, so it is very important that the riders gain experience overseas before heading into the big stadium next year.
The riders have to fund their own way, that’s why everyone of them is on the hunt for sponsorships and organise fundraising events. The first big fundraising day will be held in Warrnambool, Victoria on Ocbtober 27 2024 which includes a big raffle with amazing raffles to be won and many fun demonstrations.
Another fundraising to be held at Megalong Icelandics, NSW on November 23rd2024
We thank our sponsors for their generous support!