Meet Ulla Rasmussen

Facility Owner, Trainer and Instructor

Growing up in Denmark:

Ulla Rasmussen began her riding career at the tender young age of 5 and she’s been at it ever since. She found her way to the world of horses at an amusement park in Denmark where she went for a pony ride. Following that one ride, she began hounding her father for more, and formally began instruction when she was 6. By the time she was 9, she had access to riding and training horses as though they were her own. At a young age she discovered that she was good at working with unruly horses and problem horses, and bringing them around. To this day, it is a gift that Ulla continues to use, though she is equally talented with non-problem and talented horses as well.

Ulla grew up in the classical European tradition where riders start with basic dressage. It is this foundation of flat work – the ability to balance on the horse and control it – that is then followed by jumping and trail riding education. Over the years, Ulla has ridden to 4th level dressage, and jumped up to 3’6” courses. As a youth she also did some vaulting.

Beyond her lifetime with horses, Ulla likes animals and enjoys working with all kinds. She has her Masters degree in Mathematics and Chemistry.

Experienced with many breeds:

Since Ulla is from Denmark, she has a broad base of experience with warmbloods. She has also worked with Thoroughbreds, and owned one as a teenager. In addition, in her younger years she rode many of the pony breeds found in Europe. Since coming to this country, she has worked with many of the breeds also found in the United States. At her facility in New Hampshire, Carriage Hill Farm, she currently breeds Oldenburgs. Carriage Hill Farm has produced two premium fillies and best fillies of their inspections – a status given by the German Oldenburg Verband.

Current professional development:

Throughout her years in Denmark, Ulla rode with a number of Danish top trainers. In the US she has been riding with Pam Goodrich and Pierre St. Jacques.

As of Summer 2007 Ulla has two horses. One is a 14 year old gelding (Volume) that she has trained and showed to 4th level. Unfortunately he has been out of work for a while due to unexplained lameness, but is now slowly starting back in work. The other horse (Vidam) is 3 year old Hungerian Warmblood. Vidam is currently 17 hands and still growing, so they are taking their time to train, play and build up things before entring the show ring. It is Ulla's hope that Volume and Vidam will help her get the remaining scores for the USDF Bronze and Silver medals: two at 2nd level and two at Prix St. Georges.

Affiliations:

Ulla is a member of:

• United States Equestrian Federation
• United States Dressage Federation
• New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation
• North American Oldenburg Breeders Society (The German Oldenburg Verband)

Meet the CHF Team:

Jens Knudsen

Jens (Ulla's husband) is a full time software developer, spends his spare time riding his own horse and helps out with various tasks around the farm.

Staff and helpers

Helping out with daily chores around the barn (when they are not playing with horses) are Carolyn Hall, Carole Camden and Abby Geick.

The greeting crew

Julius, Baloo, Gizmo, Tiny and Mads are our non-equine animals (2 dogs and 3 cats) who all do their part in greeting people and add variety to the barn.