Lauren Sciullo knows a thing or two about going through tough times. The Mullen freshman had to take an entire show season off from riding to recover from major back surgery to correct a genetic problem with her chest cavity. Coming back was a long and sometimes difficult process.

The surgery, which required the insertion of a metal rod in her back, was complicated but has provided relief for a condition that robbed Lauren of her ability to breathe normally and compressed both her heart and lungs. Although her surgeon was against Lauren riding at all, she felt she had to or she wouldn't be able to fully heal. That said, she took numerous precautions. Riding one of the safest ponies in the barn while wearing an eventing vest was just the start.

“I began by just walking and trotting on Hayley. I had to be really careful because if I fell off or otherwise hurt myself, I would have to start the whole recovery process over again,” Lauren said. “My mom was there watching every step.”

Lauren graduated from the pony to another solid ride on a horse in the barn. Unfortunately, the pair did not get along as well as everyone had hoped and that's when the opportunity to ride Priam arose.

"I actually had tried Priam before at a show and liked him but he needed more polish before I would be able to ride him well," Lauren said. "Eva (Coringrato) had him first and since she's in the barn with us, it made it easy for me to try him out again once those final touches were in place."

Of course, it takes more than just the right horse. Trainer Tracye Ferguson acknowledges the hard work Lauren has put in order to be at this level.

"It's been a fast catch-up for Lauren to bring her skill set from a Columbine and Pony Medal rider to the top of the three-foot medals," Tracye noted. "She's been up for every challenge I've thrown her way and has started to master the flat work needed to rise to the top."

And master it Lauren did earning the championship in both the Dorothy Roberts and Col. Robertson Medal Finals at the recent Medal Finals competition at the National Western Events Center.

"I like showing at the Events Center because it is such a different kind of show venue for us. I also love the open scoring and that the Finals include more than one round. It gives riders many chances to make the work-off," Lauren commented.

Of her rounds, she felt that she was most consistent throughout the Dorothy Roberts Final and had the most improvement throughout her Col. Robertson Final.

In the Dorothy, Lauren scored two 85s on her over fences rounds and was in a tight battle with Taylor Valencia, who ended up Reserve Champion. As it was, Lauren came to the work-off in second place. The judges had asked riders to counter-canter a jump and Lauren was the only one to land - and keep - the counter-canter.

"I thought to myself, 'Oh, thank goodness! I have it and I better keep it.' And sure enough, I did," she said with a smile.

McKenzie McBride was another double Final winner. She was champion in both the CHJA Pony and Columbine Junior Medal Finals. Taylor Valencia led the competition wire-to-wire in the combined CHJA Junior/Adult Medal Final. Janelle Henningsen topped the Colorado National Junior Medal Final. Elizabeth Peacock won the Ruth Ayres Medal Final and Lindsay Bak was the Columbine Adult Champion.