Catching up with Erin Orford

 

Derriere Equestrian ambassador and UKCC Level 2 Dressage coach, Erin Orford, is one of Britain’s most determined and inspirational dressage riders. Here, she shares her experiences of 2020:

“It’s been such a strange year for so many of us!” Erin explains, with a nod to the COVID pandemic and its effects on equestrian enthusiasts. “An Olympic Games has never been postponed before, but it is right that the decision was made for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics to happen in the summer of 2021 instead. It was arguably the only decision that could have been made, as health always comes first; but if you had told me in February that that's what would happen, I’d never have believed it. It just reminds you that nothing is guaranteed, and emphasises how important it is to enjoy what you are doing on a day to day basis, because the goal-posts can be moved without any warning!” she continues.

Erin started 2020 with every week planned out until the end of the year; so to go from that feeling of organisation to having nothing in the diary during lockdown was definitely a bizarre feeling for her. “Particularly as summer is usually the busiest period, as we build up to selection for whatever championship is happening,” Erin muses. “For myself and the team at home, after a successful start to the season, it did feel galling that our year was effectively cancelled. However, in the great scheme of things, we had a lot to be grateful for, so we just had to adapt, adjust and make the best of the situation, like everyone!”

Appreciating the simpler things

Erin says she has been able to work remotely from home in her day job, but that with the sudden reduction of riding opportunities in the earlier months of 2020, and the absence of a swimming pool at that time, she had to work hard to maintain her fitness levels! “The situation with COVID-19 has however provided me with the opportunity to step back, appreciate the smaller things, and enjoy being ‘present’,” she continues.

“I think lockdown forced us to all slow down, to take everything day by day, and to appreciate the simpler things that we often take for granted. I personally enjoyed having the time to work on the basics with my horses, and enjoy riding them without the pressure of having things perfect, in time for competitions,” Erin adds.

“It has been nice to get back in the arena, and back doing some teaching; we’ve had our Para Championships at Solihull, and the recent Keysoe International, so it’s given us the chance to get some arena time before the winter. I am now looking forward to continuing my training with an eye on Tokyo 2021, continuing to help my lovely clients with their riding, and enjoying my horses over winter,” Erin states.

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Erin Orford rides for Britain in Para-dressage, and has also competed up to Advanced Medium at Regional level. Erin was a Gold and Bronze medallist at the 2017 FEI European Championships. as well as a silver medallist the following year at the World Equestrian Games, both with Dior. She now has her sights set on the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics and beyond.

To find out more about Erin and her team visit her website, Erin Orford Dressage.