Chia de Gracia products as part of preparation
20-year-old Marleena Mönkäre got into horses and riding early on, guided by her veterinarian mother. At the age of six, she started at a riding school, but somehow it didn't feel right.
"Riding in a riding school's outdoor arena and indoor arena wasn't my thing. Riding out in nature and surefooted Icelandic horses are what I like. One of the best things about Icelandic horses is also their versatility," Marleena says.
But Marleena did not end up only trail riding. Marleena's Svarta-Skotta is a 15-year-old, temperamental five-gait mare, with whom Marleena competes in gait riding in pace classes.
A national team representative pair
The duo has competed nationally since 2013 and has belonged to Finland's gait riding national team since 2018. In addition, the pair represented Finland in the Nordic Championships in 2018 and in the World Championships in 2019. The most significant achievements include 13 Finnish Championship medals, a 5th place and two 8th places at the World Championships, as well as two 6th places and an 8th place at the Nordic Championships. In addition, she has been awarded three times as Finland's Young Pace Rider of the Year and twice internationally with the "Good and Harmonious Riding" award. Beyond these, she was selected as the Sportsperson of the Year 2019 in her home municipality of Pieksämäki.
"I fell in love with Icelandic horses because of their character and qualities. Their social and warm-hearted nature appealed to me," Marleena explains her choice.
But what all is included in Icelandic horse competition disciplines, and how are they judged?
"Icelandic horse gait riding differs from other equestrian competition disciplines, but it is most comparable to dressage. In gait riding, you compete on a 250-meter oval track, and some disciplines are on a straight track, like the pace disciplines where I compete," Marleena explains.
The ABC of gait riding
Gait riding is divided into two different competition directions: Sport and Gæðingakeppni competitions. In the Sport format, the purity, suppleness, and presence of the gaits are judged, as well as the precision of transitions and the harmonious cooperation of the pair. Gæðingakeppni originates from Iceland and aims to find the best gaited horse. In judging, in addition to the gaits, the horse's forward drive and willingness to cooperate are considered, as well as the rider's influence on the horse.
In pace classes, the goal is pure pace rhythm and quality, and as high a speed as possible. The horse must be in pace at a certain point, and time decides. In the pace class PP1, in addition to time, transitions and the quality of the pace are also judged. As a gait, pace is a fast, two-beat gait where the pair of legs on the same side touches the ground at the same time. Between strides there is a clear suspension phase, during which none of the horse's legs touch the ground.
"Training the basic fitness of Icelandic horses does not differ much from training other horses. However, training is discipline-specific and individual. What kind of horse you have greatly affects the training methods used, the amount, and the duration. What discipline you ride your Icelandic horse in also affects training. For example, a rider competing in oval track classes needs to train different qualities in their horse than a rider competing in pace classes. The rider must also take care of their own physical and mental fitness and coaching," Marleena reminds.
The year 2021 is the pair's last year in the young riders class, and therefore it is also an important year in setting goals. The goals for the current year are the Finnish Championships and the World Championships held in Denmark in August.
"The main goal, of course, is to aim for the best condition of the year at the World Championships, but also to have other good and balanced performances throughout the entire competition season."
A bit from here, another from there: you have to be careful with an Icelandic horse's feeding
Icelandic horses have adapted to Iceland's harsh conditions, which is why they do not tolerate large amounts of grains and concentrates, and they can gain weight easily.
"An Icelandic horse's gut has developed to use its feed efficiently. Investing in good quality feed and hay, and in precise feeding, is worth it regardless of the horse's breed," Marleena notes.
"The foundation of feeding my horses has always been as simple and high-quality as possible. High-quality hay and fresh drinking water are the most important of all. A competition horse also needs to get enough energy from the nutrition it eats, which is why, in addition to hay, I feed an oat-free muesli complete feed morning and evening. Minerals, trace elements, and vitamins are also part of our horses' everyday nutrition, not forgetting an electrolyte that contains salts after exertion and in warm weather. As complementary feeds, we use Finnish and 100% natural Chia de Gracia products in our horses' feeding."
CdG products supporting the goals
Our horses have for a longer time already been eating CdG products such as chia seeds, Pony Booster, MSM powder, and the Electrolyte Up product.
"Chia seeds are a good source of omega fatty acids in our horses' nutrition. Chia contains little sugar and starch, which is why the product suits Icelandic horses well, because they do not tolerate large amounts of grains and carbohydrates. Chia is also a good product for preventing stomach symptoms. Pony Booster is one of my favorites, and it ensures our horses' intake of minerals and trace elements, as well as vitamins. Thanks to it, my horse stays energetic. MSM supports the wellbeing of our horses' muscles, joints, tendons, and skin. Especially with competition horses I feel it is important, because the above are under heavy strain. MSM also maintains the joints and tendons of our first horse, 27-year-old Emma. The Electrolyte Up product is an important electrolyte for maintaining electrolyte and fluid balance after heavy physical performances, both in everyday life and in competitions. A new acquaintance and one of my favorites among CdG products is Mash the Pony. It ensures sufficient fluid intake for our horses and increases willingness to drink due to its delicious taste. Especially on competition trips, the product has proven excellent," Marleena lists.
Svarta-Skotta can be quite picky with feeds, so not just anything will do. With CdG products, the feeds have been made more palatable.
"Quality is an important principle in feeding my horses, so natural CdG products without additives meet that criterion. The nutrient-rich quality of CdG products has ensured the intake of necessary minerals and trace elements, vitamins, fats, carbohydrates, and protein. Thanks to these, our horses' energy levels stay high and the horses do not become underconditioned," Marleena summarizes.
