The local riding clubs Grani and Þjálfi invited everybody who'd like to join to come to Lake Mývatn and take part in the annual riding tour on ice the day before Mývatn Open, the competition on ice. The weatherforecast was good, so we decided to join and invited Hjördís to come with us. Just before we started, we got a SMS from Hrund if she'd be allowed to join us. Luckily somebody else cancelled the trip so there was room in Gísli's trailer. Off we went with Magnús, List, Embla and Ögn. When we arrived, there were already quite many riders, so we started to get ourselves ready. Hjördís chose Embla again and it was their first time on ice. I'd estimate it was about 50-60 riders who joined, some locals, some from Akureyri and Skagafjörður and some on a wintertrip to Iceland. 
First we tried the competitiontrack for the next day and the ice was just perfect, a little bit of snow frozen to the surface, which makes it less slippery and easier for the horses. Then off we went on the trail on the lake. A local farmer made a track with his tractor, a very nice and sceneric way through lava rocks, pseudocraters and small islands. Embla was a bit scared with the cracking in the beginning, making Hjördís feel uncomfortable, but they worked on it and in the end they were even cantering and pacing on the track. 
At the end of the track Selhótel offered delicious sandwiches and hot chocolate, what a treat! Whilst the biggest part of the group took the same trackway back, we said goodbye and took a shortcut as we had to set up the fence for the competition the day after. Hjördís and Hrund went with Gísli whilst we took care of getting everything ready.
Perfect ride and if you'd like to get an impression, check out the pics here.