I just read Laine’s most recent post, and I am very impressed with her. I cannot begin to imagine what this has been like for her and I think everyone should keep encouraging her, praying for her, and pulling for her, irregardless of how they feel about the current state of eventing. I went to my first Rolex this year and witnessed her fall. I have been struggling with a lot of negative feelings about eventing since Rolex (and Red Hills, Jersey Fresh…) but it has been so cathartic to be able to read about her progress and know that she is OK physically, and is struggling and fighting to recover emotionally. I don’t think I have ever seen someone come so close to dying before, and that really had an impact on me. I still have many questions and concerns about the sport, and whether the price that some of these riders and horses pay is too high. But I am thankful to her and her mother for sharing so much of the rough ride they have been on. They have really put themselves and their thoughts and feelings out on display, when they really didn’t have to do so, and at a very difficult time in their lives.
When we went to Rolex we stopped by the Thinline booth for Laine’s autograph. My 6 year old daughter and her 12 year old friend were already madly in love with Frodo, so they really wanted to meet Laine. Of all of the people they got autographs from, Laine was the kindest and most exuberant to them. She cheered them on for being in Pony Club, and told them how proud she was that they were cheering for her and Frodo. Needless to say, after that encounter we were all devastated to be standing at the basket and see her and Frodo fall. My daughter still cries about it and still prays at night for Laine to get better soon, and for her to not miss Frodo too much. (Today she is crying about Teddy, poor little girl). I will never forget Laine’s smile and kind words to all of us, and I for one am very grateful she’s still around to smile some more.
