As a gold and silver medallist at the 2008 Paralympics and earning silver and bronze at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, Lauren Barwick is one of Canada’s most decorated equestrian athletes. But the Langley, BC, native who resides in Florida is also one of the most versatile athletes in the sport and the dressage ring isn’t the only place where she shines. A few years ago she decided to give the sport of para-reining a try and in typical fashion, quickly rose to the top ranks of elite competition. In 2015, she was the para-reining champion at the WPR AQHA World Show, and in 2016, the individual silver medallist at the World Para-Reining International Championships. She captured team gold at the 2017 World Para-Reining International Championships, the same year her daughter, Viola, was born.
Lauren, who was inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in 2015 and has garnered honours including the 2004 George Jacobson Canadian Equestrian of the Year, 2008 BC Horse Council Athlete of the Year, and 2014 Equine Canada Athlete of the Year, has her sights set firmly on the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, hoping to qualify with either Sandrino or Engelbrecht.
Lauren served on the Equestrian Canada Para-Equestrian board starting in 2003, but resigned in 2017. She continues to help para-athletes overcome the special challenges they face with their indomitable spirit to excel through her work as a motivational speaker and coach (as well as teaching able-bodied students). She even appeared on an episode of CBC’s popular television show Heartland that publicized the sport of para-dressage to a broad new audience.
As for the future, “I hope to be able to mentor and help many people bridge the gap with horsemanship and performance riding. I want to work more with para riders, develop a business out of Florida and back in my home province of British Columbia. Support my daughter in riding – provided she chooses to be an equestrian! It’s fun to transfer the bits of knowledge I’ve picked up over the years.”
Foreseeable Future
“For 2020, I’m campaigning to Tokyo. I think this will be my last Games for a while. I’m not saying I’m going to retire, but will take a break to focus on my business and my family. I’d like to breed my top mare Off to Paris and develop our stables for people to come and visit.”
Memorable Moment
“I wish I could come up with a moment better than winning a gold medal in Beijing, but that really is it. It wasn’t that I won a gold medal; it was that I was going to withdraw after the silver medal since my horse had achieved such greatness against all odds of being extremely sick in transport and my friends told me to go out and just have fun. I had no expectations of her or me, just to go out and dance. That’s when we won gold.”
