From Middleburg to Normandy: Julie Ulrich’s Equestrian Legacy
Written by Shayda Windle
American Julie Ulrich has always been driven by her love for equestrian sports, as she spent much of her life competing in and establishing a successful career in hunters, dressage, and show jumping. Her specialty has always been show jumping, and it is in this discipline that she trains riders and horses. But after building a thriving career in Hunt Country, Ulrich felt a pull for something more — an experience that would challenge her limits. In 1994, she made the bold decision to leave everything familiar behind and journey to Normandy, France, embarking on what she describes as her “personal version of Outward Bound.” This leap into the unknown transformed her life in ways she had only dreamed of.
Ulrich chose to move to a place where she knew no one, didn’t speak the language, and owned no property. Her goal was simple yet profound: see how long it would take to build a career from scratch in a foreign land. Her journey, however, turned out to be more challenging than anticipated. France’s economy was struggling at the time, and unlike the ease with which she was able to become an instructor in the United States, she found difficulty in France where horseback lessons weren’t a common pastime for children. Adding to her challenges, Ulrich discovered just how male-dominated the equestrian industry was in France.
Despite the obstacles, Ulrich persevered. She drew inspiration from her lifelong friend, Jack le Goff, coach of the USA event team, who humorously warned, “You’ll be back in six months because you’ll never put up with the weather.” Thirty years later, Ulrich has proven him wrong, still based in France, where she rides and teaches passionately. However, an accident a year and a half ago changed the course of her career. It was a wake-up call that made her consider the legacy she wanted to leave behind.
“I realized that while I had countless photos and videos of my career, they were literally forgotten. To create something lasting, I needed to write a book,” she shares. Ulrich knew her story had to be unique in a market already filled with riding memoirs. Her idea? Alternate light-hearted stories of her personal journey with chapters on the technicalities of riding.
Her proposal was initially declined by Trafalgar, a prominent equestrian publisher based out of Vermont. But with some encouragement from friends, she returned with renewed determination, and Trafalgar ultimately agreed to bring her story to life. Ulrich’s book, “Packing My Bags: Two Sides to the Story of a Life with Horses,” is a heartfelt tribute to her journey and to the mentors who influenced her along the way. “I want to give back all the generosity people shared with me, and I hope this book is a way to do that,” she says.
Ulrich’s connection to Middleburg brings her back this December for a special book tour, kicking off at the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America on December 20. She invites the Middleburg community to join her for this signing, where she’ll share not only her book but also the story of a life redefined by courage, resilience, and her love of horses.
“Packing My Bags” is available through Trafalgar, Amazon, and local tack shops, offering a unique window into her world for anyone who shares her passion. ML
Featured photo courtesy of the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America.
Posted on: December 2, 2024