lauren billys shady

get to know

passion for the horse & the sport

Lauren grew up riding in Woodlake, California at Mountain View Corrals as an eight year old. Her first horse was found in the local classifieds, the “Thrifty Nickel”, and taught her the ropes of lower level competition. At Mountain View Corrals, she grew a deep love for riding with her best friends. Her rich past of fun-loving horseback riding changed as she became more acquainted with the possibilities of international competition.

With the acquisition of Ballingowan Ginger, working student positions on the East Coast, and more serious training with coaches in California, Lauren’s skills grew and the opportunity to compete at the upper levels as a true competitor became a reality.

The thrill of competition and becoming a better horseman led her to teaching and starting her own training business while in college and pursuing a double major in Enology and Chemistry. 


The collision of passion for horses with the love for competition has brought her to this point in her career. 

Today she is the business owner and operator of Lauren Billys Eventing and is a seasoned competitor with multiple wins in the sport of Three-Day Eventing.

In 2011, she competed at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. She holds a spot on the 2013 and 2014 leaderboard as one of the top riders in the United States. In 2015, Lauren again competed in the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, finishing in 18th Place with her partner Castle Larchfield Purdy.

 In 2016, Lauren proudly represented Puerto Rico and successfully completed with her partner Castle Larchfield Purdy, the Rio Olympic Games. Lauren also received the great honor of being named the 2015 Puerto Rican Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year!

Most recently, Lauren achieved a gold medal at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games.


career highlights

castillo farm

ownership opportunities

career highlights

lauren's

impressive

career

2023: Gold  medal, Central American and Caribbean Games
2023: 2nd Place, Tryon International Three Day CCI2-L
2023: 1st Place, Twin Rivers Spring International NH
2023: 3rd Place, Galway Downs International CCI2-S
2023: 2nd Place, Galway Downs International NH
2023: 1st Place, Twin Rivers Winter H.T. OBN
2023: 1st Place, Ram Tap H.T. OI
2023: 1st Place, Ram Tap H.T. OBN


2023

2021: Olympic Games - Tokyo CCI4-L

2022: 1st Place, Ram Tap H.T. OI
2022: 1st Place, Woodside Fall H.T. OI
2022: 3rd Place, Ram Tap H.T. OI
2022: 3rd Place, Ram Tap H.T. OP


2022

2021: 2nd Place, Woodside International H.T. CCI3-S
2021: 1st Place, Woodside International H.T. OBN
2021: 2nd Place, Twin Rivers Fall International OBN


2021: 2nd Place, Twin Rivers Summer H.T. OI
2021: 2nd Place, The Spring Event at Woodside A
2021: 1st Place, The Spring Event at Woodside OI
2021: 1st Place, Galway Downs Spring H.T. OI
2021: 1st Place, Galway Downs International CCI2-S
2021: 2nd Place, Twin Rivers Winter H.T. OP
2021: Fresno County Horse Park H.T. ON



2021

2019: 1st Place, Twin Rivers CCI4*-S
2019: 5th & 12th Place, Twin Rivers CCI2*-L



2019

2018: 1st Place, Woodside Advanced



2018

2016

2016: Rio Olympic Games Olympian Representing Puerto Rico

competition highlights

2015: Pan American Games Competitor 


2015

2011: Pan American Games Competitor 


2011

Awards & Notable moments

2015

Puerto Rican Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year
Area VI 3rd Ranked Advanced Rider
Area VI 3rd Ranked Advanced Horse, Castle Larchfield Purdy


2014 & 2015

Ranked in the Top 200 Riders in the World based on FEI Rankings



2014: Rebecca Broussard Travel Grant to attend Rebecca Farms CIC3*
2014: Chef d’Equip for the Area VI Young Rider program



2014

2013, 2014 & 2015

 Ranked in the Top 50 Riders in the United States based on USEA Rankings


2010 - present

Puerto Rican Equestrian Team


a day in the life with lauren 

Lauren has dedicated her life and career to the sport and her horses. On a typical training day, Lauren may ride 12-15 horses at her home base in Carmel Valley, California. She oversees every aspect of their care, which is crucial to her wholistic approach to training. When she isn’t traveling, she loves teaching clinics for developing riders. Lauren is supported by a phenomenal team helping her in the barn and her husband, Jeff. 

competition horses

At Castillo Farm 

training at

castillo farm

based in carmel valley, california

Our home base at Castillo Farm is designed to set our horses up for success while in training, with our bright and airy barn, grooming and tack up stalls, ample turn out, large arena with a dressage ring and separate jump area, and top notch care.