Learn more about the "Islandpferde-Reiter- und Züchterverband e.V."
IPZV e.V. – A short portrait
IPZV e.V. – A short portrait
Islandpferde-Reiter- und Züchterverband e.V. – a long name and a young history are behind “IPZV e.V.”. Nevertheless, both name and history have and had an impact on Germany’s horse scene. Not only do the Icelandic horse’s friends love this breed, but breeders and riders of many big horse and pony breeds have come to respect the horses from the North Atlantic island.
The Germans’ affection for the four-legged Icelandic horses awoke in the late 1950s. A few horse lovers quickly took a liking to the somewhat different (compared to local standards) “arrivals” form the island.
In 1958, the number of Icelandic horses in Germany got so high, that it was worth founding an association, and over the years the IPZV e.V. developed. Today, around 60 years later, the IPZV e.V. Germany is the association with the most members of all European and overseas Icelandic horse associations.
The association, which is currently led by President Peter Nagel, has over 26,000 members organized into twelve state associations and their 170 local associations (with a tendency of growth). These members enjoy around 60,000 Icelandic horses.
Efforts to achieve a high level in our riding and treatment of the Icelandic horse have been successful! We therefore hold many trophies in competition with other nations (the international organization FEIF currently has 22 member countries) such as the numerous wins at European and World Championships as well as at the FEIF Youth Cup. In addition, the efforts of German breeders to breed horses for high-performance sport as well as for leisure rides can also be described as successful.
The trend towards the Icelandic horse is still unbroken. Year after year, up to a thousand lovers of this breed join local associations or the federal association.
Check out the IPZV e.V. website here.
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Pictures & text: IPZV e.V., Adobe Stock
A land of fire and ice, with more sheep than inhabitants, characterized by a unique nature! This is just a brief description of such a diverse country. While a volcano may erupt on one side of the country, you can hike a glacier, admire the Northern Lights, or take a bath in a hot spring on the other side of the country - at the same time.
This not only speaks for diversity, but also for spontaneity, which is also reflected in the changeable weather in Iceland. A popular Icelandic saying is "If you do not like the current weather, just wait for five minutes".
In contrast to this inconsistency, one thing is constant and that is the enthusiasm for Icelandic horses! The Vikings brought horses to the island in the 9th century.
To find out more about Iceland, you can find travelogues, reports, or interesting facts here in the UNDRA Journal!