Eiren Crawford Dressage

Welcome to crawforddressage!

After leaving America in February 2008 to work, learn, and train in Germany I realised I needed a way to keep friends, family, & clients up to date with what's happening in my fantastic life. So here is my project, crawforddressage.com. Crawford because it's my last name, dressage because it's what I love. I left "Eiren" out of the address because people can't seem to spell it if they hear it and if they only see "Eiren" I get called Irene, Ileen, Eern, etc., (sounds just like Erin, really). So, Crawforddressage it is.

Welcome and enjoy.

Here I will try to keep everyone updated with my adventures in Europe. I feel like I'm living a dream come true as I'm working for and learning from some of the best trainers in the world, and discovering life in a new country. I love to share my experiences with people who are interested.

CLINIC DATES: Coming back to BC in June! If you are interested in working together please contact me for more info. Get in touch fast, these clinics get full!

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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Day of Awesome!

Things here are great. Morten just got home after two weeks away and I'm SO GLAD he's back! It's fun to have extra riding when he's gone but it sure takes its toll. And of course it's great to have his eyes on the work again.

I finally feel like we're really back on track with the Orange Goodness. There have been a lot of ups & downs since her back treatment. I've felt like I'm doing the right thing but lacked confidence in my plan at times. And of course, this Grand Prix business is REALLY HARD!

Last week she came in from the field with a cut on her hock; it was just superficial, on the skin, but I still decided to take it easy Friday morning. So I put on the snaffle (which I generally hate on her) and spent a lot of time in the walk, making lots of transitions to halt, riding them how I wanted all my transition to be. Then after we pooped around at the trot & canter, I realized that I was having one of the best rides ever. All the transitions were soft, quick, and from my seat. She bent evenly both ways, her frame was uphill, steady, and held by her - not me. The whole feeling was harmony!

It was really cool and was a big aha! moment for me. It's so easy to say 'slow it down, take the pressure off and it comes faster,' but to actually do it? That's hard.

I've stayed in the snaffle (which I normally hate on her) this week, lunged Sunday and rode yesterday and today, and I'm SO EXCITED! I feel like the last two months of basics & boring have given us such a better foundation for the harder work. Far from perfect (is it ever?) but really getting fun.

After not seeing us for two weeks, Morten came in to the ring this morning just as we were doing on the spot perfect canter pirouettes, then he complimented our flying changes. We're still making mistakes in the one-times, but now we don't freak out, we just fix it and keep going. The passage was incredible today too. Morten told me to think about the front legs more today and by doing that the rhythm got better, she stayed super behind, and did she ever lift! It was the best she's ever felt.

Morten wants to look at the show schedule and get us entered in the "hard Intermediare I," which is easier than the Intermediare II. It asks for only 5 one-time changes and small piaffe & passage bits. This means we will have a goal to work towards; I'm looking forward to it :)

All of the horses were great today, so it made me look smart on Morten's first day back. Gotta love it when they all step up for you like that, I'll try to remember it the next time they embarrass me in front of the judges. It was funny, I was so, so tired this morning; the knowledge that Morten was back just made me think thank god, I don't have to work them all! and I was dragging my ass around for the first hour. But then Countess was a rock star, as was the Banana, and then the next and the next. And having Morten giving me pointers here and there, bringing everything from pretty darn good to great, well before I realized it I was back in high spirits and full of energy. I love days like this!

9:59 pm cest

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I just had to sneak this picture of Goose in...

I had a quick ride on him after the Let's Go's show and Tanja Arzberger caught some great shots!

Four year old stallion Instertanz...Or Pegasus?

Wow! Thanks Brenda Owen for these beautiful pictures of Instertanz & I at the show.

I'll make changes to this site on a regular basis, sharing news, views, experiences, photos...whatever I can think of. Check back often!

Cheers,

Eiren

I asked a complete stranger to video for me, and while I'm grateful she did I feel like I should have explained how the zoom works. But anyway, here is Countess doing a very great trot tour and me giving a lesson in how not to ride the canter tour. But for our second Grand Prix, I'm very happy and of course I love the Orange Goodness more than ever!

The Orange Goodness and I at home, May 16, 2013.

The Orange Goodness and I in our Grand Prix debut in Aalborg, Denmark, April 21, 2013.

Andreas and Akeem, making it look so easy!

Taking notes on your ride.

www.horseshow.com offers online coaching!

My brother and his bride!

I was so happy that I could "be there" for the celebration!

Holding my own little piece of history!

Grand Prix Freestyle, London Games.

A great and true graph.

Ingrid, Erin, and me with Flipper.

After our wonderful gallop along the river, NOT dressaging!

Be sure to get in touch so I know you're out there!