Eiren Crawford has been a rider all her life, trying out almost everything from hunter/jumpers to cutting horses. Early on dressage caught her attention and since the age of 14 Eiren has been dedicating her life to the pursuit of excellence in this discipline.

In 2002 Eiren moved to the USA to advance her education as a working student for Danish Olympian, Lars Petersen. During this 1 ½ years she was able to gain incredible experience riding green and trained horses, developing timing and feel, and was able to compete successfully in the Florida circuit. After working for Lars, Eiren ventured out on her own, working regularly with US National Young Horse Trainer Scott Hassler. Many excellent show results followed, from

 Dressage at Devon to Wellington, Florida. Eiren’s success with young horses opened the door to participate in the Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium, every year since it began in 2005, where trainers such as Ulf Muller, Ingo Pape, Michael Klimke, and Anne Gribbons work with Scott Hassler to discuss and demonstrate different techniques and methods to successfully guide a young dressage horse to his full potential. Not limited to young horses, Eiren earned her gold medal award for scores at Prix St. George in 2007 with the stallion Davignport. Together they brought home many wins, including FEI division champions, also “BLM” Finals 3rd place, and a special award from Betsy Steiner for “Most Elegant Rider.”

Meanwhile Eiren also had the opportunities to work with such riders as Heike Kemmer, Catherine Haddad, and Carola Koppelmann.

In February 2008 Eiren moved to Germany and began working for Ingrid Klimke. The name Klimke needs no introduction to Equestrian sport and Ingrid’s success in both Eventing and Dressage is no accident.  Her methodical training system brings out the best in horses, both physically and mentally, and Ingrid is an outstanding communicator and coach. At Ingrid’s stable Eiren also worked regularly with Ingrid’s in-hand specialist developing the piaffe and passage in the dressage horses, as well as the legendary Mr. Paul Stecken, a former international judge and coach to Dr. Reiner Klimke and other international riders.

After returning from a successful Olympic Games in Hong Kong, Ingrid offered Eiren the position of Rider at her stable, giving her the opportunity to work with a range of horses, from 3 year old prospects to horses schooling the Grand Prix, as well as the eventing and jumping horses. This also gave Eiren the chance to begin competing in Germany!

In May 2009, the opportunity to be a rider at the sales and training barn of Grand Prix rider and trainer Hermann Goesmeier presented itself, and with Ingrid's blessing Eiren took the job. In this new position, Eiren rode on average 8-10 horses each day, still from green horses to seasoned Grand Prix competitors. Hermann's excellent help and insight provided new tools for both training and teaching, once again raising the bar for the rider's expectations of herself and her horses.

In the spring of 2010, Eiren took over the training of the dressage stallions at Gestuet Letter Berg, while still working at Goesmeier's. The job at Letter Berg allowed her to work with Ingrid in lessons again, and gave Eiren great experience promoting the young stallions, claiming several wins and top placings with them.

December presented yet another new opportunity, the chance to work as a rider for Morten Thomsen. So, Eiren packed up her life after almost three years in Germany and moved north to Denmark. Morten has a long list of accomplishments on his resume, and spends much of his time traveling to teach top international riders. His unique approach to working the horses in-hand is an exciting thing to learn, making this difficult work like a game to the horses.  As well as continuing education, this job offers the chance to satisfy Eiren's other great desire: the chance to improve as a competition rider. With several horses available, Eiren will have the chance to compete from the Four Year Old classes to FEI division. It continues to be a dream come true!