Biography

American Olympic rider Lauren Kieffer (35) last competed at Badminton in 2018 gaining her second completion of the event with Veronica. In 2022 with Badminton entry Vermiculus she won team silver at the World Games in Pratoni (19^th) and was 4^th at Luhmuhlen 5*. The pair has completed Lexington 5* on three occasions.

With former ride Veronica, Lauren was a member of the American team for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Lauren is based out of High Acre Stables in The Plains, VA in the summer and in Ocala, Florida in the winter.

Lauren grew up in Mt Carmel, Southern Illinois and began riding at the age of six when she was given a birthday gift of riding lessons. She began competing in local hunter/jumper classes and at the age of 12 Lauren began training at Susannah Lansdale’s eventing yard and competed her own horses, as well as others in training, throughout high school.

In 2005 at the age of 18 she gained the opportunity to work for Karen and David O’Connor and in 2010 made a successful four-star debut at Lexington (Snooze Alarm). After spending six years with the O’Connor Equestrian Team, Lauren made the transition to working as the resident rider at Stonehall Farm for Mrs Jacqueline Mars, a long-time owner. Lauren works with Mrs Mars’ breeding program producing top young eventing prospects and competing the up-and-coming horses.

In 2013 she took over the ride on Veronica from Karen O’Connor who was recovering from a serious fall. Later that year the pair was a member of the USA nation’s cup team at Boekelo and in 2014 was second at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4*. In 2015 with Veronica she won team gold at the Pan American Games and competed at Bramham, her first event in England, staying on for Blenheim and Osberton.  In 2017 after second place at Lexington with Veronica she was the USEF National CCI4* champion for the second time and the pair was selected for the Olympic Games.

At the end of 2019 Lauren married Irish course builder Samuel Nicholson. Outside of horses Lauren enjoys cooking, gardening and walking the dogs.

Vermiculus owned by Jacqueline Mars is a 16-year-old Anglo Arab gelding. Bred by Mrs Lawson Williams he is by the Arab sire Serazim out of the thoroughbred mare Wake Me Gently by Unpredictable and is a full brother (10-years younger) to Veronicas former ride Snooze Alarm who was her first 5* horse and gave Veronica her first ride round Kentucky. He was acquired from the breeder as a three-year-old. He has completed six 5* events and contested two World Games. In 2018 he was 9th at Burghley