Helga Thoroddsen was born in Reykjavík in the year 1959. At the age seven she moved with her parents to northern Iceand and spent like many children at that time her summers at a nearby farm and the horses became a focal point in her life and have stayed that way ever since. Horses and horsemanship has therfore been a larger part of life for Helga since early childhood. Helga is married to Gunnar Ríkharðsson and the have 2 sons, Andri born in 1983 and Helgi born in 1985. Jobs and interests throughout life have been quite versatile but today life revolves around running a horsefarm in Þingeyrar with her husband including the many tasks of horsefarming such as breeding, training, teaching as well as working part time for the University College in Hólar  the Icelandic equestrian school. In the past years she has been the project leader for Knapamerki, a program dedicated to the education of riders and horsepeople. Helga has a broad and versatile experience in teaching and creative project work both in the field of horses as well as arts and crafts.

Education and jobs:

• Teachers certificate, B.Ed. from the Icelandic University of Education 1985
• Masters degree, M.Sc. in textile design from Colorado State University 1989
• Búfræðingur frá Hólaskóla 1995
• Riding instructor from Hólar University College 2001
• Teacher at: Icelandic University of Education, The Icelandic College of Arts, Primary School in Selfoss, Primary School in Húnavellir and Hólar University College
  
• Founder and project leader in Þingborg Wool Centre 1990-1995
• Head of board Handverk and Hönnun 1991-1995
• Farmer, Riding Instructor and Trainer in Þingeyrar since 1995
  
• Teacher, author and project leader at Hólar University College since 2001
• On the board of the Horse Breeders Association since 2001.

                                                        13 years old on the first riding horse