For Lauren Balcomb, her recent victory at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in the $130,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix CSI3* felt like more than just a strong result. It was a payoff for persistence, partnership and some time in the making.

“Yes, it is one of my biggest wins in a while,” Lauren said. “The week before, I was first in the Grand Prix qualifier and then fourth in the Grand Prix, but that class was tough. I was first to go in the jump-off and it just didn’t quite pan out. So this win really meant a lot.”

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At the heart of it all is Verdini D’Houtveld Z, or ‘Dini’, the horse Lauren has been building with since he was six.

“I’ve had Dini a long time now. He’s just an incredible horse,” she said. “I’d love for him to take me to a World Championships, and hopefully the Olympics. One step at a time.”

Above: Lauren Balcolm and Verdini D’Houtveld Z. Photo Credit: Andrew Ryback Photography.

That partnership, and the success that’s flowed from it, sits within a life Lauren and her partner, New Zealand Showjumper Sharn Wordley have built with intention and vision, one that now revolves around their farm in Ocala, Florida.

“Sharn had lived here before and I’d spent a winter here. At one point, we were living six months in Wellington and six months in Kentucky. We bought a farm in Kentucky and built an amazing equestrian facility, and when the World Equestrian Center was being built, we knew we had to be in Ocala,” Lauren explained. “We bought a house here, then a farm, and it just made sense. Especially with starting our young family.”

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That family now includes four-year-old Poppy and nearly-three-year-old Arlo, both of whom are already following in their parents’ footsteps.

“They’re keen on the horses big time,” Lauren laughed. “They do riding lessons every week and they love doing the leadline on Saturday nights. Poppy says her pony is Dini, and Arlo says his is dad’s horse Champ (Champion League).”

It’s a busy life, with top-level horses, coaching, kids, and new business ventures, including a property development project and the launch of Sharn’s business ‘Equine Design and Development Collective’, a full-service one-stop-shop company that builds arenas, farms, barns, landscaping and homes all the way down to the interior design.

“We’ve been investing in land and developing it. It’s all now ready to sell, which is exciting,” Lauren said. “And the business side of it really complements what we do.”

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As for what’s next, the calendar is full, and not just with horses. “We’re finishing the summer circuit at WEC, then the horses are taking a little break and we are heading to Fiji to see our families. After that, we are tossing up whether we go up to New York for a couple of weeks in September, then Tryon in October. From there it’s back to Ocala and then hopefully the four-star in Wellington.” she said.

With plenty of big plans ahead, Lauren’s momentum is real and we look forward to seeing what the future brings for this talented and dedicated Aussie athlete.

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