A little over a year ago, on March 26, 2015, Lauren Michelle Kelly, lost her valiant battle with cystic fibrosis (CF). She was 23 years-old. Lauren was well known and loved in the horse industry and inspired many by her attitude and drive. Lauren’s mother, Debbie Orban Kelly, is continuing her legacy and has taken over the reins to continue Lauren’s passion of showing horses.
“I have found that I feel very close to her when I ride,” Debbie told us about her daughter, who in 2010 was named the AjPHA (American Junior Paint Horse Association) Youth Member of the Year. “It is almost as though she is perched on my shoulder instructing me, scolding me and encouraging me. When I started going to shows with friends, we saw numerous ‘signs’ such as found pennies in motel rooms, feathers, and saw glorious rainbows. We all felt that Lauren was happy that I was getting involved and picking up where she left off with the horses. Sounds silly, but if you ask all of our horse show friends, they will tell you about all the signs.”
Debbie is now showing, aptly named, You Only Live Once. She and “Goose” made their debut in the Amateur Walk Trot Hunter Under Saddle a few weeks ago (pictured right). “I started showing again because Lauren wanted me to keep the horses. Lauren and I felt very close to our horse show family, and this same horse show family has surrounded me with love and support.”
In the late 70s, Debbie showed in the all-around paint events with Cotton Eyed Tom and Golden Skip under the guidance of Mike and Connie Sheppard. “As a child, I read every horse book I could get and begged my parents for a horse. I received my first horse as a college graduation present. He was a little green-broke quarter horse and taught me so much,” Debbie recalls.
Today, Debbie is excited to be back in the saddle. “Showing is therapeutic for me. I am competing against myself. Each time I go in the show pen, I plan to ride and show better than the previous attempt. My focus is on me and my horse. I am filled with joy when I ride, and I am not dwelling on the loss of my daughter.”
Debbie says that her horse show family has helped her the most. She says that it started just a few months after Lauren’s passing last summer with watching the Giesman girls, Hannah Maher, and Ranna Orsan. “Hannah shows in Lauren’s English saddle and is convinced that ‘Laur’ rides with her. They have all encouraged me to get back in the show pen. When I scratch my head and say that I am foolish for doing this, they smack me down and push me harder. It is exactly what I need to hear,” Debbie shares.
“I am convinced that my daughter (pictured right with Debbie) is cheering for me,” Debbie says. “When I told John Kayser (her trainer) that I wanted to ride English, he was skeptical. ‘That’s a lot of hard work!’ he said. I agreed, but felt driven to do it. The hunter under saddle was Laur’s favorite class. When he saw me ride hunter under saddle, he, too, was encouraged. John said, ‘Your mother and Lauren are looking at you, cheering you on! They are saying, ‘You go, girl.’ I believe my daughter would be very proud, but also believe she would be pushing me to do better at each show.”
Debbie says that the hardest part of showing is the physical demand on her body. “I rode for a long time the day before the show, and just walking hurt the next day. We take things for granted when we are young. My favorite part was going back in the show pen on the second day and really making an effort to show and improve my ride. Laur would be pushing me onward and forward. If that girl could succeed when she had so many challenges, I can succeed in my goal of getting a little better at each show. A lot of people get nervous when they hit the show pen. I am filled with a sense of wonder and joy. What a thrill and privilege it is to ride and show.”
Debbie says, “Lauren believed that no dream was impossible. She was upset with others who did not strive to be all they could be. She really wanted to win a World Championship, and, if she had survived a lung transplant, I am convinced she would have succeeded. Her message to everyone is to be the best you can be. Work hard and give it your all; that was how she lived her life.”
And that’s what Debbie continues to do in in her every day life and show pen. “Every day is a little emotional for me. Lauren is always in my thoughts and it is important to honor her memory through my efforts.”
