Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Lauren is the oldest daughter of two-time Canadian Olympian Jay Hayes and lifelong horsewoman Shawn Hayes (nee Carpenter). It didn’t take long to get Lauren on a horse - she was riding by the time she was two and in the show ring by the age of five.
As a junior competitor, Lauren took as many ‘catch rides’ as possible on the show jumping circuit to develop her ability to ride different types of horses. The method worked, as she enjoyed a stellar junior career before twice representing Canada at the North American Young Riders’ Championships riding Avalanche and bringing home a team silver medal in 2001. Today, Lauren is an accomplished grand prix competitor who has been racking up victories with Golden Boy as well as Icon NR, bred by her family at North Ridge.
Show jumping is a true family affair for Lauren. Her two younger sisters, Ainsley and Regan, were also active competitors in the sport. For 20 years, the Hayes family organized the iconic Collingwood Horse Show, renowned for its great sport and gracious hospitality. The family has also managed events in Ocala, Florida, as well as show jumping tournaments in Ottawa and Orangeville, both in Ontario.
Lauren finished high school as an honour roll student in French immersion before graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON, with a bachelor of arts in psychology. She has two daughters, Sloan and Estee.
