News
April, 2026 – Exciting Guest Stallion Standing Summer 2026 - Valur frá Úlfsstöðum!
Valur is a first prize five-gaited stallion with an overall score of 8.42, highlighted by an exceptional 8.71 for rideability — including 9.0 for tölt, pace, and spirit. In Iceland, he proved himself in A-flokkur Gæðingakeppni, competing successfully at a high level in five-gait competition.
What we value most — and what truly sets Valur apart — is that these qualities translate directly to the real world. Here in the U.S., he has been enjoyed as a luxury trail horse, combining easy, high-quality gaits with an outstanding, rideable temperament.
- Sire: Gustur frá Hóli (8.57, Honor Prize for Offspring)
- SS: Gáski frá Hofsstöðum (8.32, Honor Prize for Offspring)
- Dam: Tign frá Úlfsstöðum (8.08)
- DS: Hugi frá Hafsteinsstöðum (8.31, Honor Prize for Offspring)
Valur brings together some of the most proven and respected riding-horse lines in Iceland. His sire, Gustur frá Hóli, is renowned for producing horses with excellent tölt and exceptional rideability, and is an Honor Prize sire. Through Gáski and Hugi, Valur is backed by multiple generations of consistently high-producing stallions known for quality gaits and performance.
On the dam’s side, Valur also carries influence from the Hornafjörður lines (via Ófeigur frá Hvanneyri) — adding strength, substance, and a touch of classic old-blood character that is becoming increasingly rare in modern breeding.
Why we’re excited about Valur at Sand Meadow:
- Proven rideability and character (not just scores on paper)
- Strong, well-established bloodlines known for producing quality riding horses
- Balanced five gaits with standout tölt and pace
- Genetics that complement a wide range of mares, especially those needing rideability, clarity in tölt, and overall usability
Valur will be available to a limited number of outside mares for the 2026 season. Please contact us for more information.
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March, 2018 - The Standard Blood Profile Project is Completed!
For the past four years, Andrea has worked tirelessly in orchestrating the USIHC's project with Cornell University to create a standard blood profile for the Icelandic breed. The project was a complete success, and the scientists identified several blood test values where Icelandic horses tend to differ from other breeds. Currently, a summary of the results of the project is available in the March 2018 issue of the USIHC's Icelandic Horse Quarterly magazine. This article should be provided to all veterinarians that treat Icelandic horses. In addition, in the future the scientist hope to publish a more technical academic article in an open source publication. This will be helpful to Icelandic horse owners and treating veterinarians around the world. We'd like to thank all the generous project participants and donors that made this important project possible. No doubt the results will be a significant help to the health and well-being of our beloved horses.
October, 2016 – Very Sad News
We are devastated to announce the loss of one of the original founders of Sand Meadow Farm - Víkingur frá Götu. In fact Víkingur was with us before there was even a Sand Meadow Farm. One of the reasons we bought a farm was to ensure that Víkingur would never have to leave us when it was time for him to retire - and he never did. For about 18 years Víkingur was our friend and teacher. He was an incredibly intelligent horse with a deep, sensitive soul. One of the very special ones.
January, 2016 – Sand Meadow Cares About Mendon Ponds Park
Andrea with Hergill frá Oddhóli, Steve with Lögg frá Laufhóli, and Debbie North with Þór from Anacapri
photo: Daily Messenger
Mendon Ponds Park lies only about five miles from Sand Meadow Farm. This beautiful county park is listed on the National Registry of Natural Landmarks for its many unique natural features. The diverse terrain at the park makes for incredible rides and during the riding season you can find Sand Meadow horses tolting down the park trails several days a week. So when we heard that the rules had suddenly been changed for allowing horses in the park we were quick to rally the support of the local equestrian community to protect the rights of riders in our beloved park. Thankfully, the rule changes proved to be a simple mistake and the original rules were quickly reinstated – so a happy ending for all. But the swift and passionate response from the equine community did not go unnoticed. In fact, the Daily Messenger printed a story about the issue, along with the above photo, on its cover. To read the full story CLICK HERE.
July, 2014 – Venus Receives An Excellent Young Horse Evaluation!
Venus from Sand Meadow at 3 months old
In conjunction with our Pleasure Riding Clinic, FEIF International Breeding Judge Barbara Frische was at Sand Meadow Farm to judge young horses. Unfortunately we were unlucky and had pouring rain for much of the day so no outside horses were able to come to the event. But we were still able to have one young Sand Meadow horse judged - Venus sired by first prize Hergill frá Oddhóli out of first prize Sædís frá Melabergi - who was born earlier this year. Barbara found Venus to be a very high-quality four gaited filly. In particular Venus received high marks for her long neck, cylindrical and light build, correct legs, hoof quality, reactions, and high neck carriage. She has good suppleness and beat in all her gaits and has the ability for high leg action. For conformation she scored 82.56%, for character 89.5%, and for gaits 70.56% - overall 77.97% - an excellent result for a four gaited horse. We are very excited to watch this filly develop as she has her mothers sweet and bright personality paired with her sire’s beautiful movements. We couldn’t ask for more.
January, 2014 – Loftsteinn is the #1 highest evaluated young horse of 2013 – with other Sand Meadow youngsters not far behind!
Loftsteinn's beautiful trophy
Based on the results of all the young horse evaluations performed by FEIF International Breeding Judge Barbara Frische in 2013 (approximately 60 horses), Loftsteinn from Sand Meadow was the highest evaluated young horse of the year – and winner of The Studbook's annual award for that honor. Barbara found him to be a “very good horse” with a “lot of tolt”, “brave, fun to go, and proud” with “good spirit”. But our good news didn’t stop there - Kleópatra was #2, Sokkadís was #5, Þoka was #9, and Magni #15. All in all an incredible showing for Sand Meadow Farm bred horses! We are thrilled to have all the time and effort we have put into our breeding program publically validated in this way. We couldn’t be more proud.
November, 2013 - Sand Meadow Horses Score Well in Young Horse Evaluations!
FEIF International Breeding Judge Barbara Frische visited Sand Meadow on November 3rd to officially evaluate our young horses. We are very proud to report that all five of our young horses scored above average. Barbara had a lot of praise for our breeding program and we were thrilled to have such a well-respected judge appreciate our efforts. Barbara also enjoyed riding several of our breeding horses. In particularly she had lots of fun on Kalman, who she described as a “Harley Davidson” - full of power and fun. Individual results from each of the young horses’ evaluations can be found up on their respective pages.