The Breeding Committee recognizes the accomplishments of Icelandic horse breeders in the United states.
The Anne Elwell Breeding Award
The Anne Elwell Breeding Award is given annually to the breeder of the highest evaluated ridden stallion or gelding bred in the United States of America. The recipient is given a commemorative trophy.
Before 2017 the Anne Elwell Breeding Award was presented to the highest evaluated horse — stallion or mare. From 2017 onward the Breeding Committee decided to award stallions and mares separately. The mares are eligible to win the Caryn Cantella Breeding Award. In 2020, the Breeding Committee decided to also recognize geldings as eligible for the Anne Elwell Breeding Award.
Stallions and mares who won the pre-2017 Anne Elwell Award are added to the ongoing list.
Anne Elwell is one of the founding members of the USIHC and served as its first breeding leader. Her tireless efforts to support the USIHC and to further quality breeding in the United States are commemorated by this award.
2022
Viðar from Five-Gait Farm
Breeder: Lucy Nold
Owner: Erin Royce
ID: US2017105220
S: Vindur from Dalalif
D: Unnur frá Sólvangi
Conformation: 7.86
Ridden Abilities: 7.09
Total: 7.86
2019
Zophonías from Vinland
Breeder: Martina Gates
Owner: Martina Gates
ID: US2012104637
S: Stígandi frá Leysingjastöðum II
D: Gnótt frá Holtsmúla 1
Conformation: 8.2
Ridden Abilities: 8.15
Total: 8.17
2018
Vindur from Dalalif
Breeder: Anne-Marie Martin
Owner: Lucy Nold
ID: US2010104354
S: Hrafn frá Garðabæ
D: Gola frá Höfðabrekku
Conformation: 8.37
Ridden Abilities: 8.01
Total: 8.16
2015
Photo: Claudia Achilles
Marel from Creekside Farm
Breeder: Barbara Frische
F: Bjartur von Hof Osterkamp
M: Lára vom Neuenfelde
Conformation: 8.30
Ridden Abilities: 7.99
Total: 8.11
2014
Photo: Shaila Sigsgaard
Piltur from Winterhorse Park
Breeder: Barb & Dan Riva
S: Fjalar frá Bjargshóli
D: Perla frá Stóru-Ásgeirsá
Conformation: 8.37
Ridden Abilities: 7.47
Total: 7.83
2013
Photo: Andrea Barber
Revía from Vinland
Breeder: Martina Gates
S: Stígandi frá Leysingjastöðum II
D: Osk from Helms Hill Farm
Conformation: 8.08
Ridden Abilities: 8.14
Total: 8.12
2012
Photo: Andrea Barber
Sprettur from Destiny Farm
Breeder: Pamela Ann Merlo
S: Þröstur frá Innri-Skeljabrekku
D: Sara frá Lækjarbotnum
Conformation: 8.13
Ridden Abilities: 8.07
Total: 8.09
2010
Photo: Andrea Barber
Hamur from Mill Farm
Breeder: Icelandic Sports, Ltd.
S: Fjalar frá Hafsteinsstöðum
D: Harpa frá Hrafnhólum
Conformation: 8.16
Ridden Abilities: 7.79
Total: 7.94
The Caryn Cantella Breeding Award
The Caryn Cantella Breeding award is given annually to the breeder of the highest evaluated ridden mare bred in the United States of America. The winner of the award gets a commemorative trophy to keep.
Before 2017 the Caryn Cantella Award was presented to the highest evaluated young horse. From 2017 onward the Breeding Committee decided to discontinue the practice of awarding prizes to young horses evaluated using the Linear Evaluation System. The Committee’s position is only fully evaluated (ridden) horses should be eligible for awards.
The Cantella Award has been redesigned to recognize the highest evaluated mare instead of the young horses. Fully evaluated (ridden) stallions are eligible to win the Anne Elwell Breeding Award.
Caryn Cantella is one of the founding members of the United States Icelandic Horse Congress (USIHC) and served as its first Registrar. Her tireless efforts to insure the integrity of the USIHC registry and the purity of the breed in the United States coupled with her long dedication to the USIHC are commemorated by this award.
2023
Eldrottning from Beat 'n Branch
Breeder: Sherry and Ron Hoover
Owner: Sherry and Ron Hoover
Color: Chestnut no white markings
ID: US2016205158
S: Hjörtur frá Holtsmúla 1
D: Glóð frá Brimilsvöllum
Conformation: 7.86
Ridden Abilities: 7.4 (7.56 w/o pace)
Total: 7.56 (7.67 w/o pace)
2019
Baldursbrá from Winterhorse Park
Breeder: Barbara A. and Daniel J. Riva
Owner: Lori Cretney
ID: US2010204419
S: Þröstur frá Innri-Skeljabrekku
D: Flís frá Víðivöllum fremri
Conformation: 8.06
Ridden Abilities: 7.67
Total: 7.83
2018
Kvika from Four Winds Farm
Breeder: Lori Leo
Owner: Ronald and Sherry Hoover
ID: US2010204585
S: Þóroddur frá Þóroddsstöðum
D: Kamilla frá Efri-Rauðalæk
Conformation: 8.28
Ridden Abilities: 8.08
Total: 8.16
2016
Álfagaldur from Aslans's Country
Breeder: Kydee K. Sheetz
Owner: Kydee K. Sheetz
ID: US2016105113
F: Álfadans frá Ingólfshvoli
M: Gáta von Birkenlund
Conformation: 82.76
Character: 95.38
Gaits & Movement: 77.33
Total: 82.57
2015
Photo: Charlotte Reilly
Ástarljós from Pegasus Flughestar
Breeder: Kathryn Ruth Love
Owner: Kathryn Ruth Love
Color: Dark bay with mealy muzzle no white markings
ID: US2013204810
F: Pegasus frá Skyggni
Ff: Hrafn frá Holtsmúla
M: Salka frá Frostastöðum
Mf: Kveikur frá Miðsitju
Conformation: 67.41
Character: 87.69
Gaits & Movement: 68.73
Total: 72.13
2014
Photo: Charlotte Reilly
Pipar from Winterhorse Park
Breeder: Barb & Dan Riva
Owner: Barb & Dan Riva
Color: Black no markings
ID: US2014104926
F: Fjalar frá Bjargshóli
Ff: Glaður frá Sauðárkróki
M: Pólstjarnafrom Circle City Icelandics
Mf: Pegasus frá Skyggni
Conformation: 81.65
Character: 91.00
Gaits & Movement: 75.16
Total: 80.28
Eligibility for Breeding Awards
The stallion, gelding or mare must have been born in the United States of America and be currently registered with a registry recognized by the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations (FEIF).
The horse must have been fully evaluated at a FEIF recognized breeding show in the calendar year that the award represents.
The winning stallion or mare must have the highest overall score of any stallion or mare born in the United States and evaluated in the same year.
The winner must be a current member in good standing of a FEIF recognized breed association.
The Anne Elwell Breeding Award is given annually to the breeder of the highest evaluated ridden stallion or gelding bred in the United States of America. The recipient is given a commemorative trophy.
The Caryn Cantella Breeding award is given annually to the breeder of the highest evaluated ridden mare bred in the United States of America. The winner of the award gets a commemorative trophy to keep.
