Each issue, MSEDA will highlight a member who is active in the organization to give other members a peek into their horse-loving lives, as well as find out what they do when they are not in the barn or arena. Interested in being featured? Email Sarah at redhorseenterprise@gmail.com.
Photo by Megan Moore
A Normal, IL, transplant (yes it’s a real town!), Lauren Buhrmann came to college in the Bluegrass and simply never went home. Now working full-time for the Kentucky Horse Council, she is loving her horse-related job, bringing a horse up the levels from scratch and finding strength in unusual places.
MSEDA: Where are you from?
Lauren Buhrmann: Normal, IL. And yes it’s a very normal town.
MSEDA: How did you end up in Kentucky?
LB: I came down to go to college at Georgetown College and just never left.
MSEDA: When did you begin riding?
LB: I had my first official riding lesson when I was 6.
MSEDA: Did others in your family ride? How did you get the horsey gene?
LB: I have cousins and an aunt that ride, so I caught the bug a little bit from them.
MSEDA: Were your parents supportive of riding?
LB: In the beginning I’m not sure they realized what they were getting themselves into, but almost 20 years later, they love it! They’re the most supportive parents and the best pit crew at horse shows.
MSEDA: Did you have to give up other things to ride (sports, proms, etc.)?
LB: I didn’t have to per say, but I definitely did. I didn’t walk at my high school graduation because May-Daze Horse Trials were that weekend--but it was an easy choice to make.
MSEDA: When did you get your first horse?
LB: I got my first horse when I was 8.
MSEDA: How did you get him?
LB: He was my birthday present!
MSEDA: When did you begin competing?
LB: I think I did my first horse show right before I turned 7.
MSEDA: What horses do you own now?
LB: I just own one horse now, Webb (show name Currahee). He prefers to be an only child.
MSEDA: How did you get him?
LB: My trainer Megan Moore sourced him from Ireland for me.
MSEDA: How long have you been a MSEDA member?
LB: I’ve been a member since 2016.
MSEDA: What is your favorite event or horse show and why?
LB: I love Team Challenge! Getting to show on a team with your friends and dressing up is always a blast! And we always do a little potluck so there’s always GREAT food!
MSEDA: Who is one person you would not have met without the horses?
LB: All of my barn family.
MSEDA: What have the horses brought you that you are most thankful for?
LB: Humility. Horses keep you humble, as does eventing. You learn to take the highs with grace as they are not here to stay, and you learn to grow and better yourself from the blows.
MSEDA: What are your horse's favorite treats?
LB: Animal crackers.
MSEDA: Do you have any good luck rituals?
LB: Not really, I always feel that you make your own luck in this world. I do always give Webb a big pat before we go in the ring, though!
MSEDA: What do you do full time?
LB: I work for the Kentucky Horse Council. I love it! I get the best of both worlds: the stability of an office job, but with a horsey twist.
Photo by Joe Burhmann
MSEDA: What is your specialty?
LB: Organization. My OCD has its pluses sometimes.
MSEDA: How did you get into your role with the Kentucky Horse Council?
LB: One of my best friends worked in the same office suite for a different organization, so when she told me about the job opening, I applied.
MSEDA: How long have you been with the KHC?
LB: I’ve been here just over 2 years.
MSEDA: What are your favorite riding accomplishments?
LB: Winning the Area 8 Championships last year was an absolute dream come true! Almost a year later, I’m still slightly in shock! And completing our first Prelim in June was amazing!
MSEDA: What is your favorite memory with your horse?
LB: The whole process of getting to break Webb was out of this world. Getting to take all the baby steps together is so much fun, and makes doing all the big stuff now even more special.
MSEDA: What are your favorite equestrian brands?
LB: I love Horze breeches!
MSEDA: What are your horse's quirks?
LB: He’s scared of ribbons--big bad event horse! LOL
MSEDA: What is your goal this year?
LB: We accomplished one of our goals already: Doing our first Prelim. This fall we’ll do our first real dressage show!
MSEDA: Who do you ride with?
LB: Megan Moore at Team CEO Eventing.
Photo by JJ Sillman
MSEDA: What is one piece of advice you would give someone, related to anything?
LB: Enjoy life. It’s the only one we get. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day bustle, so just taking a moment to breathe and enjoy this wonderful life we have is huge.
MSEDA: What would be the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
LB: Pay down my debt--what a terribly boring adult answer.
MSEDA: What is your favorite book?
LB: Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose
MSEDA: Do you have other hobbies? What are they?
LB: I’ve taken up running this year. I also love reading.
MSEDA: What do you feel makes a horse person “successful?”
LB: Strength. Not just physical, but emotionally, mentally. It’s a hard world to make it in.
MSEDA: Describe your horse in 10 words.
LB: Chubby bunny cuddle buddy.
MSEDA: What is your favorite memory?
LB: Completing my first event! I was hooked after that.
MSEDA: Is there anything unusual about your horses now?
LB: He’s very touchy. With people and horses alike. It’s so sweet and I love that about him.
MSEDA: What are you passionate about other than horses?
LB: Yoga. I tried yoga on a whim with Megan and I loved it. I loved the journey and the strength it gives me both on and off the mat.
