Help Dimma and Caeli Represent Team USA in 2025

Dimma and Caeli are headed for the 2025 World Championships -- but we need your help to get there!

Two years ago I had the privilege of representing the United States on the world stage in Oirschot, Netherlands. It was an honor to show the growth and potential of the US Icelandic Horse community as someone who has grown up surrounded by the people here who dedicate so much to developing that community. Watching the community at home support our journey at every step meant the world to me, a truly unmatched feeling.

That journey to the Netherlands inspired me to continue my education and further my skills by traveling to Iceland multiple times per year to work with 2023 Team USA coach Sigvaldi Larus Gudmundsson. There I met Dimma, a sassy dancing queen of a mare who acts like she owns the stage everywhere she goes, and whose natural talent and heart quickly wrapped me around her hoof. I soon found that these trips and training sessions not only deepened my connection to Dimma, but also made me a better rider and instructor at home. With every trip I felt like I returned with knowledge and skills I could take back to share with my community. Which leads me to the fun part...

Dimma and I have been selected as part of the US team for the 2025 World Championships in Birmenstorf, Switzerland! We will be one of four horse and rider combinations representing the United States this year in a strong field, full of exceptional riders from around the world. This is another chance for us to demonstrate the love, dedication and development of the United States in Icelandic Horse sports!

While we're thrilled to have this opportunity again, the costs for this trip are high. The most costly part is flying Dimma from Iceland to Switzerland and then onwards to Oregon, as we're one of only two combinations crossing the Atlantic. But other costs accrue too, such as lodging, flights for me, coaching fees and more. That is why we are appealing to our community to help get us there and home again! With your support, we can show just how far the United States Icelandic Horse community has come.

About the Rider: Caeli runs an Icelandic Horse facility, Alfadans Equestrian Arts, in Newberg, OR alongside fellow trainer Alex Venable. Caeli was the third American to ever attend Holar University College’s Bachelor’s program in Riding and Riding Instruction, as well as one of only three Americans with a Level 3 training and certification from FEIF and a membership in Félag Tamningamenna, the Icelandic Horse trainer’s association. Caeli ‘s soft riding and training has earned her many Feather Prize distinctions, as well as high marks in Holar University’s program, where she graduated with the highest combined score of riding and academics in her class, as well with the honor of first class with distinction.

In 2022 she received the top spot in the world for number of nominations for Good and Harmonious Riding out of 140 nominated riders pulled from 2700 riders at World Ranking Events. Additionally, Caeli was nominated for FEIF Trainer of the Year in 2019 and 2022. She was also the highest Nationally Ranked rider in Four and Five Gait competition in 2022. This will be her third time representing the United States at the World Championships.