The USIHC Lifetime Achievement Medals are awarded to individuals and horses who achieve certain success benchmarks throughout their competition career in sport.
Similar to established programs in dressage and working equitation, the Lifetime Achievement Medals recognize and reward overall progress and consistent dedication over the course of a participant's competitive journey. The awards are meant to reward dedication, growth and partnership between Icelandic Horses and their riders on the Sport Track.
- Only one horse has been awarded medals in all four discipline tracks: Sprettur from Destiny Farms
- Five individuals have been awarded medals in all four discipline tracks: Charlotte Reilly, with three Pewter medals and one Bronze, Terral Hill with two Silvers and two Golds, Carrie Brandt with Gold medals in all four tracks, Caeli Cavanagh with three Gold medals and one Platinum, and Ásta Covert with one Gold, one Platinum and two Diamond level medals
- Only five medals have been awarded at the Diamond level, one to Gígur frá Ketilsstöðum, two to Dynjandi frá Dalvík and two to Ásta Covert for excellence in Tolt classes with speed changes and Four Gait
- The youngest medal earner in two discipline tracks was Anna Bella Covert, at age 8 where she qualified for tolt and four gait Pewter medals.
- Emelia Stewart, qualified for a Pewter medal in Loose Rein at age 10.
- The youngest medal earner in Five Gait is Finja Meyer Hoyt, qualifying for a Bronze medal at the age of 14.
- Nine American bred horses have earned medals, Vindur from Dalalif, Rindill from Swallowland, Ari from Nordurstjarna, Angilja from Circle R Farms, Gulltoppa from Morningstar Farms, Sprettur from Destiny Farm, Ali from Dalalif, Prins from Arctic Arrow and Markús from Sun Crest Farm. Markus and Vindur are the only American bred horses with Gold medals, which were both earned in Tolt.
In order to achieve a Diamond Level Lifetime Achievement Award horse or rider must earn a total of 6 scores above a 7.5 in Open Individual Four Gait, Tolt or Loose Rein Tolt (V1, T1, T2) or above 7.0 in Open Individual Five Gait (F1).
Sponsored by
Harmony Icelandics
In order to achieve a Platinum Level Lifetime Achievement Award horse or rider must earn a total of 6 scores above a 7.0 in Open Individual Four Gait, Tolt or Loose Rein Tolt (V1, T1, T2) or above 6.5 in Open Individual Five Gait (F1).
Sponsored by
Flying C Ranch
In order to achieve a Gold Level Lifetime Achievement Award horse or rider must earn a total of 6 scores above a 6.5 in Open Individual Four Gait, Tolt or Loose Rein Tolt (V1,T1,T2) or above 6.0 in Open Individual Five Gait (F1).
Sponsored by
Montaire Icelandic Horses
In order to achieve a Silver Level Lifetime Achievement Award horse or rider must earn a total of 6 scores above a 6.0 in Four Gait, Tolt or Loose Rein Tolt or above 5.5 in Five Gait. These scores can be earned in Open Group Level classes or any classes of a higher difficulty level.
Sponsored by
Taktur Icelandics
In order to achieve a Bronze Level Lifetime Achievement Award horse or rider must earn a total of 6 scores above a 5.5 in Four Gait, Tolt or Loose Rein Tolt or above 5.0 in Five Gait. These scores can be earned in Intermediate Level classes or any classes of a higher difficulty level.
Sponsored by
Sensation Ride Saddles
In order to achieve a Pewter Level Lifetime Achievement Award horse or rider must earn a total of 6 scores above a 5.0 in Four Gait, Tolt or Loose Rein Tolt or above 4.5 in Five Gait. These scores can be earned in Novice or Youth Level classes or any classes of a higher difficulty level.
Sponsored by
Alfadans Equestrian Arts
For all medals, eligible horses/riders must have six qualifying preliminary round scores. If a contributing competition has fewer than three judges, the same judge or exact same judge combination cannot contribute to more than three qualifying scores, except in cases when that judge or combination of judges are part of a team of four or five judges. Scores must be from U.S. shows or from international competitions where horse or rider competed as a representative of the United States, such as the FEIF Youth Cup and the World Championships.
As of 2026, those with eligible scores will be contacted by one of our board members to receive their award. A huge thank you goes to our award sponsors for being able to make this happen!
