Erin Orford (22) is from High Wycombe in Bucks and is on the World Class Development Para Dressage Programme. Erin was inspired to take up Para Dressage after watching it at the Paralympic Games in Athens 2004 and now competes on the International circuit in Para Dressage and also contends able-bodied classes.

Erin is a bilateral amputee and is missing the radius in both arms, which means that she has shortened lower arms and only four fingers on each, however, this hasn’t stopped her from playing school team netball, basketball and table tennis, besides tackling the ski slopes.

The last 4 years Erin has combined riding with studying for her Business Management degree at Birmingham University. Having graduated (with a respectable 2.1), Erin is now working as a full time rider to enable her to focus entirely on her sport in the run up to London 2012 and beyond.

Her story so far…

Erin started riding at the age of two at the local RDA, which was based in Chesham, and it was when the family moved house, that Erin, on the suggestion of a friend, went to ride at the well known South Bucks RDA, and came across its resident instructor, Clive Milkins, who recognised that Erin had natural talent. 

Erin rides at Grade II level and in 2005 won a Para Equestrian Dressage talent spotting competition, and it was while competing at one of the regional finals, that Juliet Seal, who was judging at this competition noticed Erin.

Juliet who owns the coloured dressage horse, Painted Affair, had given him to the Para Dressage Training Trust (PDTT), who between them choose a talented Para Dressage for him to go out on loan to.  Michelle Crunkhorn had ridden him very successfully and he was now looking to give another Para Dressage rider the next step up the ladder.  Erin was put on a short list of suitable riders and to her delight, Erin was chosen to be Painted Affair’s next rider.

It was while competing at the Millfield Junior and Young Rider Para Dressage Internationals last year that Angela Weiss, who used to train Michelle Crunkhorn and Painted Affair, suggested to Erin that she ought to try for selection onto the World Class Development Programme.  Erin sent in her selection form and was duly invited to the final selection trials that took place at the Unicorn Centre in November in 2006, and was thrilled when it was announced that she had been successful.

With Painted Affair, Erin rode at her first senior International Para Dressage competition in Saint Lo, France, where she was second in all her Grade II classes over the three days of competition.  The combination also qualified for the final selection trials for the World Para Dressage Championships, has competed in the Grade II Freestyle class at Hickstead, and was very successful at the RDA National Championships.

Although Erin didn’t compete at the World Para Dressage Championships, she volunteered to ‘write’ for Chris Porterfield, who was one of the Championship judges, and it was while Erin was at the Championships that she met Diana Barley and her horse Nirvana, who later Erin acquired on loan.

Nirvana, a seventeen year old dressage horse who was trained to PSG level and is owned by Diana Barley, who owns Nirvana Spa, one of the UK’s largest, award-winning Day Spa centres.  Diana lent Nirvana to an Argentinian Grade III level rider at the World Para Dressage Championships (2007), and enjoyed the experience so much, that her wish was to give a British Para Equestrian Dressage rider the opportunity of riding and competing an experienced dressage horse, and contacted David Hamer, the Para Dressage co-ordinator for the World Class Development Programme, who recommended Erin.

Nirvana enabled Erin to gain valuable competition experience both Nationally and Internationally. Throughout their career together they have taken Para National and International titles and have qualified for the Summer and Winter Regional Championships at Advanced Medium. Since his retirement from International Competition, Nirvana’s reliable temperament enabled Erin to ride him in many demonstrations at prestigious events, including, Blenheim horse trials, Hickstead World Dressage Masters and FEI Dressage European Championships at Windsor.

Following the success with Nirvana, Diana continued her support and kindly allowed Erin to compete her younger horse Nirvana Pure Indulgence a 17hh, German Bred Gelding by Donnerhall, (aged 11) in 2008 who Diana still competes herself up to PSG. Since Erin has taken over the ride, they have achieved success and wins in both National and International Senior competitions. In 2008 at their first competition shortly after Erin took over the ride, they won the U21 and Overall Grade 2 Championship at Millfield, before achieving top 3 placings at the Senior International at Hartpury 2 weeks later. As their partnership evolved they have also had overseas success, beating European and World Medalists from Holland, Belgium and Canada.

In July 2010, Erin invested in her first horse, along with help from her parents and Nirvana Spa, who together purchased Nirvana Morroko a 16.2hh 7 yr old Dutch Gelding by Orame. Erin took him to a yard in Warwick so that she could school him everyday whilst she was at Uni. Erin said “he’s a very sensitive horse, but he has a kind temperament and good work ethic - he never stops!” In their first season together Nirvana Morroko became Grade 2 Winter National Champion, reserve Spring National Champion and reserve Summer National Champion. He also achieved top 3 placings at Hartpury Senior International, ahead of a strong class including the Canadian World Medalist and in local qualifiers received scores up to 79%. This year Erin was selected to represent England for the Central Region at the able-bodied Home International and he has qualified for the Elementary Open Music Regionals with 76.46%.

Erin has found that there is a great team spirit amongst the riders on the World Class Para Dressage Development Programme, and the training weekends are particularly helpful not only with the instruction and advice she receives but also from the support services that the Programme offers, such as sports psychology with Jennie Killilea.

The World Class Development Programme is proving a successful blueprint for training future Olympic and Paralympic riders, and Erin is very much working towards London 2012 and beyond. If she is successful in being part of the GB Paralympic Team, it will have taken eight years since being inspired at Athens 2004, and in those eight years Erin will have been an inspiration to many people as she has been throughout her life to her friends, family and anyone who comes into contact with her.