In Episode 13 of The Fifth Gait Podcast, we sit down with one of the most influential voices in the Icelandic horse world: Þorgeir Guðlaugsson. Known as an international sport judge, writer, educator, innovator, and respected Icelandic horse historian, Þorgeir brings decades of insight into the development of Icelandic horse sport, judging methodology, training philosophy, and the future of our community.

From his childhood on a farm with over 200 horses, learning from his legendary grandfather, to becoming one of the most recognized judges across Europe and the United States, Þorgeir shares extraordinary stories, lessons, and perspectives that every rider, trainer, breeder, and judge can learn from.

We explore:

• How Þorgeir’s early experiences shaped his philosophy on horsemanship

• The psychology of horse training and maintaining the horse’s spirit

• Becoming an international sport judge — and why he never wanted to quit

• Objectivity vs. subjectivity in sport judging

• Biomechanics, gait analysis, and the future of measurement-based judging

• Why Icelandic horse welfare is leading the equestrian world

• The strengths and flaws in today’s competition system — and how to improve it

• The forgotten history of Icelandic horses in America (1880s–1920s!)

• What riders misunderstand most about judging

• The future of five-gait competition and pace tests

• The importance of community, cooperation, and preserving our sport

This is one of the deepest, most insightful conversations we’ve had on the podcast — packed with wisdom, history, and forward-thinking ideas that will challenge the way you look at Icelandic horses, training, and competition.

If you are passionate about the Icelandic horse, this episode is simply unmissable.

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