History
Íshestar Riding Tours was founded in 1982 by three families. Of the founders Einar Bollason and his wife Sigrún Ingólfsdóttir are still share holders today and work with the company as director and cashier. Some descendants of the founding families work as tour guides during the summer months on the multi-day tours.
In 1992 and again in 1998 the company opened up for others to become share holders. Several Icelandic travel agencies invested in the company and the construction of the Íshestar Riding Centre in Hafnarfjörður began. Today the company belongs to Einar Bollason and his family, several individuals, some Icelandic travel agencies, an Icelandic tack store, VÍS insurance company and others.
During the first years of operation Íshestar offered mainly riding tours of 1 to 2 hours from Miðdalur Far
m at Laugarvatn, summer residence of the founders. In 1983 a ride along the highland trail Kjölur was operated for the first time, one year later the Golden Circle Tour was added. From 1990 on, new routes were added to the program and new farmers were made partners after operating as affiliates for a while.
To offer an equal standard on all tours Íshestar emphasises working with the same partners year after year. When a new riding route is developed the Íshestar director always leads the new tour when operated for the first time.
The Riding Centre in Hafnafjörður was opened year 2000 and enables Íshestar to operate a variety of day tours, training and riding lessons both for experienced and for less experienced riders, all year long.
Tour Search
Testimonials
Dear Ishestar Staff, we are just writing to say thank you very much for the Lava Tour session that we came to on December 6th. Although I had very little riding experience before, the staff was very kind and the horses were very patient and docile, and Tom and I both enjoyed the tour a great deal. Please say hello and thank you to the horses we rode, “Strákur” and “Orri”, when you next see them. Best Wishes and Happy Christmas, Helen and Tom
Helen and Tom Firth, Surrey England
