Iceland review - 2002, Qupperneq 38

36 ICELAND REVIEW
Nothing must go wrong...
In a moment of insane optimism, the Landsmót organisers decided to invite this famous
horsewoman to attend the 2002 show, try out an Icelandic horse for herself, and inspect
one of the main breeding districts in the country. No one thought for a moment that
she’d accept. So it came as something of a shock when the royal assent was received,
and now the organisers are a bundle of nerves. Ever since the first Landsmót in 1950
the show has been the high point of the Icelandic equestrian year – and the low point
of Icelandic organisational skills. Judicial cock-ups, poorly prepared participants, wet
courses, catering shortages, blocked toilets, traffic jams and no-holds-barred partying:
all these elements were considered an inextricable part of Icelandic horse shows. Until
now. Now, nothing must go wrong. Hasn’t the British royal family had to suffer
enough?
Breathing the blue blood’s air. Princess Anne is in
the middle of the photo (wearing a black hat and
sunglasses), to her left hand is the President of
Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson and his fianceé,
Dorrit Moussaieff. Also can be recognised in the
crowd, Icelandic minister for Education, Sturla
Bödvarsson, and Gudni Ágústson, minister for
Agriculture.
LEFT: Fine weather guaranteed everyone under
the sun a good time during the six days of horse
competition, racing, and agricultural festivities at
Skagafjördur.
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