Favorite Quote: “Peace, Love, and Horses!”
Saddleseat rider Lainey Cook was nominated by her mother, Emily Cook, for a number of different reasons, two of those being her passion for horses and commitment to riding. Emily explains Lainey began riding lessons at age 7, and over the last four years she has watched Lainey truly change from the inside out, with horses helping her overcome being “shy” and “timid.” “Riding has helped her build so much confidence in herself, and that confidence spills over into so many other areas of her life,” Emily says.
Riding with current trainer, Alex Browning, for over a year, Lainey has been able to compete at horse shows across Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Florida, proudly growing her collection of ribbons. However, Lainey’s “first love is the horse itself and not the competitions,” Emily continues. Described as a “natural caretaker and nurturer,” Lainey often spends extra time tending and caring for the horses long after her allotted lesson time and willingly assists with any task Alex gives her. Lainey is considered a role model at the barn, with younger girls seeing her dedication and striving to be just like her.
Lainey’s favorite lesson horse is Moto, an American Saddlebred. He is a newer lesson horse at the barn, but has already proven to be a great partner, as Moto and Lainey have recently won a blue ribbon at a show. Always an animal lover, the happiness she feels when on a horse is what makes Lainey want to ride.
According to Lainey, her biggest accomplishment is getting to compete at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, FL last year. She plans on competing there again this fall at the Ocala International Horse Show in the Academy classes. Her biggest set back is breaking her arm last year and having to sit out of riding lessons for several weeks. She was so eager to get back on a horse once she healed and worked extra hard to make up for the missed riding time.
Lainey’s short term goal is to keep improving her riding in the show ring by competing more at horse shows. In ten years, she hopes to be selected for a collegiate Saddleseat team. She also aspires to own or lease her own horse and compete on a grander scale. Her favorite quote is: “Peace, Love, and Horses!”
Age:
11
Discipline:
Saddleseat
Hometown:
Campbellsville, Ky
Trainer:
Alex Browning
School:
Campbellsville Independent Middle School
