MATTHEW CRAWFORD |
Matthew had been brought up around horses on his father's own stud farm, and learned to ride from an early age. While he didn't start formally competing until he was nineteen, he still entered many local competitions, and began to develop a taste for the thrill of eventing. Like the rest of his family, and the many generations before them, Matthew had an uncanny love for foxhounds and, when he decided to "fly the nest" and move to the USA, his beloved dogs went with him. He purchased the farms after having fallen in love with the location and the property, and saw it as a welcomed challenge to restore the place and establish his own equestrian centre and stud farm.
DETAILSAGE: 27
BORN: Reading, UK NICKNAME(S): Matt, Mattie, Blondie, Dipstick JOB: Owner and manager of Linden Farms, trainer, competitor and breeder SPECIALISM: Hunting, eventing, dog training PERSONALITY: Matthew is generally a friendly, good-humoured person who sometimes fails to take things seriously. Despite this he is a hard worker, and can be trusted to get a task done if he's put up to it. He relishes a challenge and is easily motivated, and very proud of both his own achievements and those of his friends and family. He can be very stubborn, and often fails to take the blame for things that are his fault, but normally can patch things up with others before they turn against him or things become sour. |
RUTH CRAWFORD |
Ruth started taking weekend riding lessons from the age of seven, merely as a hobby. Over time, however, her interest progressed and developed, and she began to take her riding more seriously. By the age of fourteen she was competing at junior state events, and then went on to adult events, all the while training to become a riding instructor. It was during an event in Pennsylvania that she met Matthew. After getting into a lengthy conversation about their equestrian plans they exchanged numbers, and from there on the relationship developed. They now run Linden Farms Equestrian Centre together.
DETAILSAGE: 24
BORN: Portsmouth, RI NICKNAME(S): Ru, Ruthie JOB: Co-Owner of LF, trainer, competitor SPECIALISM: Dressage, showjumping PERSONALITY: Ruth is a bubbly character with a lot of patience - no wonder she is so good with both animals and children alike! She can often be a little gullible, and tends to only see the good in people, but thanks to this she has a wide circle of friends who she is fiercely loyal to. She can be a little clumsy and awkward at times, but she is clever and determined, and everyone at Linden knows that when Ru sets her mind to something, nothing can stop her. Her personal motto is "never give up, and you shall succeed", which she applies to almost everything she does, in particular her riding. |
KELLY ANDERSON |
Kelly grew up in Rutland County, Vermont, and had no experience with horses whatsoever until the age of fifteen. She came on slowly, but stuck to her riding lessons, and her determination (and extra jobs to earn money to pay for lessons!) paid off when her local riding centre sponsored her to compete in 3-day-eventing on their competition horses. Again, her progress was slow in the competition world, but gradually as she began to grow in confidence and began to become more successful, more opportunities opened up for her - one of which being the chance to become Linden Farms' second main competition rider. She accepted and, with the well-wishes of her family backing her, moved to Pennsylvania to start this new chapter in her life.
DETAILSAGE: 21
BORN: Florence, VT NICKNAME(S): Kells JOB: Competitor SPECIALISM: XC, showjumping PERSONALITY: Kelly is a bit of an introvert, particularly when it comes to being around strangers. It takes her a while to warm up to somebody, but once they gain her trust she will gladly talk them about anything, and will always jump at the opportunity to help them. Kelly doesn't talk much, believing actions speak louder than words, and often if someone has helped her out or done her a favour she'll leave them "surprise thank you gifts" instead of thanking them in person. Despite her lack of confidence around strangers, she is very ambitious, and if confronting someone she's never met before is what she needs to do to advance then so be it - she'll do it. |
THEO ANDERSON |
Theo, like his older sister Kelly, had little to none experience around horses until his sister took up riding. Sitting on a horse's back and popping jumps wasn't for Theo, but he enjoyed spending time around the horses nonetheless, and helped out at his local stables with the Pony Club, mucking out, and general stable chores. After his sister moved to work at Linden Farms, he asked her to put in a word for him. The Crawfords were more than happy to take him on as a stablehand, particularly as he showed such keen interest and skill with horses on the ground. He's become a valued member of the team, and has been affectionately dubbed the "baby of the bunch".
DETAILSAGE: 18
BORN: Florence, VT NICKNAME(S): Kiddo, Laddie JOB: Stablehand SPECIALISM: Handling, training PERSONALITY: Theo is a prankster. Unlike his older sister he is very outgoing and charismatic, and easily makes friends. He can be quite loud, and is the life and soul of a party, but also knows when to knuckle down and work hard. Theo is very good with horses, though is not a particularly rider, and knows how to get the best out of each animal. He is very enthusiastic, and more often that not will find a training method that clicks with each horse to ensure they progress to achieving at their highest level. |
Dr. ROBERT TYRELL |
Dr. Robert Tyrell is Linden Farms' resident vet, who specialises in Equine medicine, but is also qualified to work with smaller animals too, such as the centre's dogs. Having graduated from Glasgow University in 1998, Robert began his career working with racehorses and competition horses, then in 2005 made the move to America and began work in small practises. In 2010 he saw the advert put out by Linden Farms saying they were looking for a resident vet, and applied. He's been part of the team here ever since!
DETAILSAGE: 39
BORN: Falkirk, Scotland NICKNAME(S): Doc JOB: Veterinarian SPECIALISM: Surgery, clinical check ups - specifically equine PERSONALITY: Dr. Robert is one of those men who, no matter how well you know them, you can never tell if they are joking or not. He has an odd sense of humour, something no-one has yet gotten used, but is great fun to be around nevertheless. Away from his surgery, he is light-hearted and quick to mess around, but whilst doing his job he is very serious, very dedicated and very determined. It's clear the priority in his life is his work and the animals he cares for. |