by Anne Lamoriello
She’s just returned from a visit with the orthodontist and thankfully this time her teeth aren’t hurting. Laine tacks up Unique, a 16-hand Dutch Warmblood mare, and talks to and about her horse like a close friend. “Laine is very caring with all animals,” says her mom, Carey Rooney. “She’s kind and always has been.” It’s mid-May and pouring buckets outside the barn in
AUnique Leap of Faith M
FOCUSED AT THIRTEEN
eet Laine Rooney. At 5’ 3” and 100 pounds, the seventh grader sports a broad smile with braces and greets her guest with a firm handshake.
Kensington, New Hampshire, but Laine isn’t disappointed that the weather has moved her jump lesson indoors. Like many young aspiring riders, “She lives to jump,” remarks Carey, “anytime, anywhere.” This is a training day but both horse and rider are impeccably groomed and clean. Unique’s black coat has a high gloss look like it has several coats of varnish on it. “That’s not unusual,” says Carey. “Everyone says she has the cleanest horse and tack in the barn.” Laine walks the hefty mare into the indoor and hops up. They trot off and immediately you’re struck by the perfect symmetry and balance they present. “Laine has the dedication for sure,” says Meredith (Merri)
Stimson, her coach of seven years who runs a training business called Yorkfield Farm in New Hampshire and Massachussetts. “Laine still has plenty of time—five more years as a junior to show, but she has already worked up through the levels and been successful.” The first major test for Laine and Unique came just the weekend before when the pair competed in their first ever event together, the New Hampshire Hunter Jumper Association Spring Festival in Swanzey, New Hampshire. Laine took first place in Special Child/Amateur Adult Equitation Over Fences, a second in Special Child/Amateur Adult Equitation Flat, a third in Hunt Seat Equitation 12–14 Flat and a sixth in NH Special Child/ Amateur Adult Medal. To the credit of rider and horse, they have been training together just six short months. Laine does not own Unique; her owner is local dressage rider Michelle Mancini.
ROUGH TIMES Michelle is a flight attendant with Delta Airlines and has a penchant for Dutch Warmbloods. She made the acquaintance of young Laine through Merri. In fact Laine had previously leased another
All photos are by Anne Lamoriello Warmbloods Today 27
Although forty years apart, one young jumper rider and a dressage rider form a truly unique partnership.
s (L-R) Trainer Meridith Stimson, Unique, and Laine Rooney.
▼ Michelle Mancini, Unique’s owner.
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