‘I’ll be more excited than nervous next time’: meet the junior European medallist making waves

Over this festive season, we are shining a light on up-and-coming talent across the equestrian disciplines. These are people you really need to keep an eye out for during the 2024 season…

Jennifer Donald's avatar
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Published In Features
Lauren Caroline and Gait L in action at the junior European Championships in 2022
Lauren Caroline and Gait L in action at the junior European Championships in 2022.
(Image credit: Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves)

Ever since she was a young girl, when she would ask her parents over and over again to go and feed apples to the ponies in the field in her village, Lauren Caroline has been bitten by the horsey bug. She forged a stellar career on ponies, winning team bronze at the 2023 junior European showjumping championships, and now the 18-year-old is hoping to make the same waves as she moves into young riders next year.

For the past two years in juniors, her star partner has been the 12-year-old Dutch-bred Gait L, and the dynamic duo have represented Great Britain at two European championships, on junior Nations Cup teams and just recently qualified for the prestigious Yeti Under 25 British Showjumping Championship at the London International, where they just picked up four faults in round one.

Jennifer Donald
Jennifer Donald
Showjumping and racing editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.