OCET People
Lauren Kieffer
Lauren Kieffer was born and raised in Mr. Carmel, Illinois and began riding at
the age of six.
She competed in several local hunter/jumper and 4-H shows before pursuing
eventing at the age of 12, training at Susanna Lansdale
’s barn in Evansville, Indiana.
Lauren’s training with Karen and David O’Connor started in 2005 when her parents signed her up for the O’Connor Eventing Camp in Virginia. Before taking a position as a working student with the O’Connors, she competed her horse, Snooze Alarm, at the North American Young Rider
Championships CCI* and was part of the bronze-medal team.
In 2006, Lauren competed on the Area VIII CCI** team at the 2006 NAYRC, and also
won the Virginia CCI*.
Within the same year, she took 7th place at Jersey Fresh CCI**, and competed at
Maui Jim/Wayne CCI** taking 2nd and 4th.
The year 2007 was also rewarding when Lauren was placed on the USEF’s Developing Riders Training List. This program was designed by the United States Equestrian Team for the training
of future team prospects and requires the completion of a CCI** event as well
as written recommendation letters from two different CCI**** competitors.
2007 was the third year that Lauren qualified for the American Eventing
Championships, and she took first place on Walk on the Moon.
Lauren’s highlight of the year was when she and Tigger Too were presented with the 2007
Markham Trophy at the Jersey Fresh CCI***.
The trophy is given to the highest placed rider under the age of 21 at the USEF
CCI*** Spring Championship.
