About Lauren

Just like many young girls, Lauren dreamed of riding from a young age. For years, Lauren Gildea ( Weitz ) begged her mom to sign her up for lessons, but financially was a bit of a struggle. At age 9, Lauren got a job delivering news papers around her old neighborhood. Each week she would save her earnings. After a few months of having the paper route and understanding the commitment, Lauren's mom signed her up for lessons at Flying Change Stables, in Chelmsford Mass. For many years, Lauren took weekly lessons, learning ins and out of horse care! But, that wasn't enough. Lauren started volunteering and helping out around the barn in exchange for more ride time, which turned into her first lease!

Lauren continued to have her paper route through her sophomore year of college, it helped pay for her leases and lessons through out the year. In 2012, Lauren bought her first horse Simone, a 18 year old OTTB mare. With Simone, Lauren quickly learned the ups and downs of owning a horse. About 6 months after purchasing Simone, she developed Chronic Lymphagitis, which left her hind leg permanently swollen. Lauren worked hard, rehabbing Simone, it help keep her leg at mobil as possible, despite the appearance, Simone was sound and happy to be back in full work!

In 2015 Lauren purchased her second horse, Ziggy "Heavy on the Roses", at the time a 14y/o OTTB. Through out the years Ziggy and Lauren have ventured many places and have ad many accomplishments. Ziggy helped Lauren progress through eventing and had many successes at Novice and schooling some training obstacles. As Ziggy got into his later teens, he began to struggle with the pressure from jumping at competitions.
Lauren and Ziggy did a true 180, and figured why not work and primarily focus on dressage. Lauren had heard about the medal program through the USDF, and thought it would be cool to get her first level scores and maybe try second level. Never in Lauren's wildest dreams did she think Ziggy and her would make it to 4th level Dressage. In 2020 Lauren earned her Bronze Medal aboard Ziggy.

This year, Lauren and Ziggy will be continuing working forwards their Bronze Bar (musical freestyle at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level)