Lauren 'floors' the competition at Kelso to fulfil her grandfather's last wish
Tue 24 May 2022
Local businessman and baker, Barry Hanson loved Louth. He ran the much loved independent family bakery, Hanson’s, just off the Market Place where Pocklington’s is now. Barry worked there his entire career and was a well-known and respected member of Louth’s independent business community.
When Barry retired he headed north to pursue his passion for fishing, moving to Kelso in Scotland to fish for salmon on the Tweed.
Anyone who knows the area, understands how much Floors Castle is part of the Kelso backdrop. The largest inhabited house in Scotland with its iconic architecture and impressive grounds and gardens, Floors is also a modern and vibrant farming estate. Floors farms sheep, cattle, Cheviot lamb in particular as well as arable crops of wheat, oil seed rape and barley, potatoes and vegetables.
Barry loved the estate and for many years urged his granddaughter Lauren West, an accomplished British Eventer and member of Masons Rural team to come up from Lincolnshire to take part in famous Floors Castle International Horse Trials.
Lauren had always ridden as a child and became a keen eventer. Having graduated with a degree in Planning and Property Development, she decided not to go straight into the industry but instead enjoyed a highly successfully professional equestrian career. For seven years Lauren competed all over the country riding some of the lovely eventing horses in the UK.
Due to circumstances, be it the lack of a suitable horse or cancelation through Covid, it was never possible for Lauren to compete at Floors. Sadly Barry passed away in 2019, before Lauren had the chance to take part.
That’s why when Lauren saw that Floors Castle International Horse Trials was returning for 2022 by kind permission of the new Duke of Roxburghe, she entered. Not only did she fulfil her grandfather’s dream of taking part, she won the 100 Open riding her friend Katherine Barker’s mare, Quintessas Charlotte.
“It was an absolutely amazing weekend. We went up to the Scottish Borders for 4 or 5 days, staying with friends and made it a real celebration in granddad’s beloved Salmon fishing country.”
Lauren also took the opportunity to give her own horse, AK Colour Me Perfect, known at ‘Patrick’ at home, her first run out coming a very acceptable 8th in her first ever event.
“
It was a great weekend, spent with great people making great memories and something we can look back on very fondly in years to come. Eventing is very much a pastime for me now, albeit a passionate one. My career is with Masons Rural where it’s so nice to have that connection with the Louth business community, as many people knew and respected my grandfather.”
Equestrian Photos: from Lauren's dad and her social media purchased with thanks from Action Replay.
Lauren West
Planning & Development
Direct Dial: 01507 350511 Mobile Phone: 07534 551320