Over the years, GoHorseShow has featured former AQHA and APHA champions and followed up on what they are doing now. In honor of the upcoming AQHYA World Show, we are featuring former AQHYA World Champions and checking in on what they have been up to since their glory days of showing in youth.
The first competitor is AQHYA World Champion, Lauren Halvorson of Lawton, Oklahoma. After a very successful career showing in halter and all-around events while in youth, Lauren continued riding at the collegiate level and was All-American on the National and Big 12 Champion Equestrian team at Oklahoma State University. She recently graduated with a master’s degree in Mass Communication and a bachelor’s degree in Sports Media from OSU.
The daughter of AQHA trainers and judges, Wayne and Rebecca Halvorson, Lauren grew up in the industry. Halvorson says that her favorite memory came at the 2003 AQHYA World Show with Cool Miss Tardee in the Aged Mares.
“That mare was very special to my family and I and it was my first win so that is always a special one,” Lauren says. “A funny story my mom always tells from that day is that the mare accidentally stepped on my foot in the pen, and with me only being about 13 years-old, I started to tear up a bit. My dad knew I had a good shot that day, so he told me to shake it off and it paid off.”
Lauren says one of her other favorite memories from the Youth World would be her third place finish in the 2009 Youth Hunter Under Saddle with Good Investing. “We bought Brady as a green all-around horse. He had success before in the pleasure but the crew at Highpoint noticed the barely 16 hand gelding had a big stride and a knack for the English,” Lauren recalls. “I’ll never forget Beth Case’s pep talk before going into the ring that day. I think it was why we had the confidence to go in there and compete with the bigger horses.”
Halvorson tells us that showing horses has helped her in her professional career. In February, 2015 she landed her dream job of anchor for KSWO Channel 7 News in Lawton, Oklahoma.
“I think that live television is a lot like competing in the ring. It’s all about being on in the moment. I always knew I wanted to go into a media-related field. I studied sports PR in college, but a close family friend urged me to try broadcast news. She’s been a longtime anchor in Oklahoma City and her mentorship has really encouraged me throughout this journey,” Lauren reveals.
“I love broadcast news because every day is different and exciting. We cover so many different stories, and I love the pressure of live television and having to get everything ready by showtime. It’s definitely an exciting business. Plus, I love doing the morning show. I’m a morning person and I think it’s fun to help other people start their day.”
As far as future goals, “I would like to keep improving my skills and eventually move up to a bigger news market. I didn’t study broadcast in college so it’s been a learning curve. I think I’d love to return home to the Oklahoma City area and work for one of the stations there.”
Lauren also says that she would love to show again in the future. “I still have Good Investing and I have a three year old half-sister of his named Kat. I broke her myself and have her here in Lawton. She’s got a lot to learn but I’d love to return to the show ring with Brady and Kat.”
We wish Lauren the best in her future endeavors.
