> one lesson I had seemed to have a lot of focus on > classical equitation skills.
Dressage and classical equitation is very new to the Icelanders. It takes many many years to learn it, never mind to teach it! I just do not think they are there, yet, and your money may be better spent with a more qualified instructor. Go to several different instructors in several different disciplines. Build up a data base of information and experience to draw from. Horsemen and people who know horses do not take lessons from Icelanders; it's mostly the new and inexperienced people who take lessons from them. I would also say that I believe that ego is involved in this choice, as it makes someone feel special to take lessons from someone who is *different*. Not that they know or realize the person is different because he's in left field; it's sort of like saying, "well, you know, I have an Icelandic Horse, so "I" have to go to a *special* trainer (unlike you who has an ordinary horse and an ordinary trainer), so I'm special". Judy http://icehorses.net http://clickryder.com
