Lauren Graves

Full Name: Lauren Rebecca Graves

Age:  22

Birthplace:  Charlottesville, VA

Siblings:  Sister, Cristey, 21.

Marital Status:  Single

Kids:  None

Pets: My darling dog Riley. Horse Sid, pony Marcen.

School: Sweet Briar College, and University of South Carolina

How old were you when you started riding:  Nine

When did you know you wanted to be a pro:  Probably when I was around 16 and started doing lots of catch riding.

First Horse: Once In A Blue Moon (he shows in Long Stirrup now!) I bought him for $800 when I was 10 years old.

First horse show ribbon ever:  4th in Short Stirrup WTC with Tweedle Dee when I was 9

Biggest riding accomplishment to date:  Champion and Reserve at Upperville, Grand Champion at Middleburg. I got a 97 at the Queen City Classic last year on my horse Consider This.

Most embarrassing horse moment:  I was showing a horse that I had only ridden once before in the A/A's. It slammed on the brakes to the single oxer and I went straight over its head and went right through the rails of the jump. It was pretty funny because I managed to miss both poles, haha.

Nicest horse you've ever ridden: Front Row, USEF Horse of the Year in 2000 (I think) in the 1st year greens. Westward, the horse I was Reserve Champion at Upperville, and Grand Champion at Middleburg on. My horse, Consider This. I did the A/O's on him and I've jumped him 5'3... if he was faster he'd be a Grand Prix horse, not a hunter.

Best Advice anyone ever gave you pertaining to horses: The most important thing to while jumping around a course: don't change a thing.

Advice to young people interested in pursuing a career as a trainer: Work hard, keep an open mind, and always be prepared.

Favorite local horse show:  I haven't been to a lot around here yet, but the PHJA Mid-Year at Latta was nice.

Show you'd most like to ride in: Devon

I wish I could ride like: Myself, only better.

Favorite famous horse of all time: Red Panda

If I wasn't a trainer I would be: Either a chef, real estate, or something in economics.

In High School I was: Quiet. I was (and still am somewhat) very shy and never talked.

Favorite Movie:  Wedding Crashers, Risky Business, Batman Begins, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Favorite TV Show(s): Nip/Tuck, Sex and the City, Friends, Seinfeld

Favorite Restaurant:  In Charlottesville, VA: OXO, Zocalo, Bang. In Charlotte, NC: 131 Main (for the Ahi Tuna Burger!), and Ruth's Chris

Favorite Place I've visited: Cozumel, Mexico. Dominican Republic

Favorite band/singer:  Elton John, Billy Joel, Journey, The Eagles

I'm terrified of: Being late, big knives, failing

Something people would be surprised to know about me is:  The only time I ever get angry is when I'm driving.

Favorite thing I own:  My ball gown. It's royal blue taffeta.

Dream Vacation Spot:  Barbados

Where you are most likely to be found on a weekend off: Hah. Weekends off? On  my day off I usually just stay at home and either lay in bed or lay outside and read.

Favorite sport to watch:  NFL Football! And, of course, horse shows

Celebrity Crush: Matthew McConaughey, Jude Law, Jake Gyllenhaal

Jobs you had as a kid: Waitress at Vivace, a nice Italian restaurant. And I worked in my grandmother's bookstore for 2.5 years.

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