Rider Biographies

Lauren Shannon

Country: Great Britain

Age: 24

Lauren is originally from England, but emigrated to the United States with her family when she was three. She lived in Park City, Utah, where she rode from a young age, but struggled to pursue eventing due to the distances required to get to events.

In 2001, Lauren met eventing husband and wife duo, Mark and Tanya Kyle, who were teaching a clinic in Utah. They suggested she move to the UK. Lauren first came to England in 2003 and shortly after, found her last year’s Burghley ride, Quixotic.

Lauren started to study business at Loughborough University, but stopped in 2006 to continue studying through the open university so that she could devote more time to horses. Lauren was in a bad car accident about this time and broke her pelvis in two places. Less than a year later she was selected for the British Young Rider team in Pardubice, where her team won gold.

Lauren began riding this year’s Burghley runner, Zero Flight, in 2004 and the pair finished in 12th place last year.

Notable achievements

• 2011 – Badminton CCI**** 17th Quixotic
• 2010 – Strzegom CCI*** 4th Zero Flight
• 2010 – Bramham CCI*** 5th Quixotic
• 2010 – Belton CIC*** 7th Zero Flight
• 2009 – Burnham Market CIC** 6th Quixotic
• 2007 – Weston Park U21 CCI** 3rd Quixotic
• 2007 – Blair Castle YR Europeans 19th team gold Quixotic
• 2006 – Pardubice YR Europeans 17th , team gold Quixotic