Biography
Avalon Dressage is the culmination of a lifetime commitment to the art of dressage and a dedication to improving the relationship between horse and rider.
Lauren spent her youth in Santa Fe, NM riding horses. Lauren received her first horse when she was five years old. At the age of fourteen she became assistant teacher at the Kelly Kennedy School of Riding. Here she was introduced to the theories and practices of world-renowned author and teacher, Mary Wanless. Lauren’s love for the sport of dressage blossomed and her desire to become an excellent teacher was born. She later attended Teacher Training Clinics with Ms. Wanless and was a featured rider in her educational video series “Ride With Your Mind, A Video Masterclass”.
After spending a year studying hunt seat equitation at the prestigious Maryland school, Garrison Forest, Lauren returned to Santa Fe to pursue her studies in dressage. She became a working student and later assistant trainer to Joan Bolton. She successfully campaigned the international horse, “Epernay” in the FEI Young Rider Program.
Upon completion of University, Lauren established a successful training business in Santa Fe. She had many wins in the show ring and earned her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals. Her desire to continue growing as a rider and trainer facilitated her move to San Diego, CA to study with Olympian, Guenter Seidel.
In 2002, Lauren developed a successful training business of her own, working out of Arroyo Del Mar. A year later, Guenter Seidel hired Lauren as his assistant trainer. She was given the great honor of showing Guenter’s young horse, Princeton, for three years, achieving several scores in the 70’s from 1st level to 3rd level. While working with Guenter, Lauren also had the opportunity to study with dressage greats such as Dietrich von Hopfgarten and Christine Traurig.
In 2004, Lynn Green, of Carpe Diem Farms, entrusted eight of her Lusitano Stallions to Lauren. She campaigned the two top stallions, Nimbus Do Mirante and Quarteto Do Top at 2nd and 4th level respectively. Additionally, Lauren managed Southern California sales for Carpe Diem Farms.
In 2006, Lauren returned to Santa Fe, NM, as the head trainer and facility manager for Ashwin Stables. Currently, Lauren is actively showing, training and hosting clinics with top competitors such as Debbie McDonald and Christine Traurig. She is deeply committed to bringing classical dressage education back to the community that supported her career as a developing young rider. She is active in horse sales and purchase consultation, passionately pairing horse and rider.