A Love Letter to the Process: Lauren Kirton & Fitilis at Coveside

There's a photo from Lauren Kirton's gallery that says everything you need to know about why she shows. It isn't a jump shot or a ribbon moment. It's the one of her patting Fitilis as they leave the ring — or laughing as she walks out. Easy, unguarded, completely herself.

That, she'll tell you, is her why.

The Partnership Comes First

For Lauren, showing has never really been about the ribbons. It's about what gets built in the quiet spaces between the rounds — the early mornings, the long days, the relationship developed one ride at a time.

"It goes far beyond stepping into the ring," she says. "It's about the partnership, the trust, and the relationship I get to build with my horse every single day. That connection is what makes all of the work worth it."

Fitilis, for his part, seems to understand the assignment. Even on the days when Lauren doesn't quite meet him halfway, he shows up steady and willing — the kind of horse that makes you want to be a better rider just to deserve him.

The Humbling Reality of the Adult Amateur Ring

If you've spent any time in the adult amateur division, you already know that consistency is the hardest thing to hold onto.

Lauren knows it too.

"I think my funniest adult amateur moments are the days when I go in and have an amazing first trip, then head back in and somehow manage to make every mistake possible," she says. "And sometimes it happens the other way around."

Her signature response to a difficult trip has become something of a running joke with her team — she turns to the in-gate, says "oopsies," and then immediately apologizes to Fitilis. It happens almost every time, and at this point everyone expects it.

"At that point you just have to laugh, learn from it, and keep going."

A Season of Quiet Milestones

Last season held two moments that Lauren keeps coming back to.

The first was her debut in the little derby — Fitilis an absolute superstar from start to finish, even when she wasn't quite perfect.

The second was the Royal Winter Fair in the fall of 2025 — and for anyone outside the equestrian world, the Royal is about as significant as it gets in Canadian equestrian competition.

One of the most prestigious indoor competitions in the country, held annually in Toronto, it's the kind of ring that carries weight the moment you enter it. Lauren walked in and put forward some of her best trips over fences.

"They may not have all been ribbon worthy, but I walked into that ring and put forward trips that truly reflected how much I've grown as a rider," she reflects. "As an adult rider, that felt like a huge victory."

What struck her most in those moments wasn't the performance itself — it was what the performance pointed to. The trust her horse placed in her. The foundation built quietly over months of early mornings and focused work at home.

"Those moments framed my season and reminded me why I love this sport."

The Village Behind the Rider

Lauren is the first to acknowledge that none of it happens alone. Her support system spans two provinces and a few states — a community that has been part of her life since long before she ever stepped into a show ring.

She is also proud to ride in the Bruno Delgrange saddle she won through a sportsmanship draw.

"I'm forever grateful for the people who have shaped me into the rider and person I am today."

Why the Photos Matter

Lauren does only a handful of shows each year as a private photography client — intentionally and within a budget she's thought carefully about. But when she invests, she invests fully.

"We put so much time, heart, and resources into our horses, and those partnerships deserve to be documented. Looking at my final gallery, I see more than photos from a horse show. I see the relationship with my horse, the work that went into the season, and moments that I will be able to look back on for the rest of my life."

"Professional equestrian photography isn't just about getting a nice shot over a jump. It captures the story of your day, the partnership with your horse, and the moments that make this sport meaningful."

Related Story

Another adult amateur who knows exactly what it means to show up for the love of the sport — meet Stephanie Gimblett.

👉 [Stephanie & Bexley Z | Adult Amateur Story]