Lauren met “Cleo” as a first level horse several years ago, and was immediately attracted to her big gaits and bold, confident personality. She watched as Deanna Landwehr, Cleo’s owner and trainer, won level after level until her debut at the Prix St. Georges in Spring of 2006. When Deanna told Lauren that Cleo was for sale, she leapt at the chance to try her… and fell in love!

After a successful 2006 season, culminating in the Regional Championship at the I1 and Reserve at the PSG, Lauren and Cleo further developed their Small Tour work, and begun schooling the Grand Prix movements. Their 2007 season ended in a hattrick at the NEDA CDI***, winning all three classes with scores into the 70s.

They qualified for the 2008 USEF National Championships at I1, and were placed on the Developing List. In 2009, they moved up to Grand Prix, and qualified for the Brentina Cup National Championships, where they won the Young Rider Grand Prix test and placed fifth overall. In fall of 2009, Cleo sustained an injury that forced her into early retirement, but she produced foals by UB-40 and Rousseau that are leggy, personable and exceptional movers.

Cleo passed away in 2013.