Page 32 - New Mexico Winter 2021

friend Mike Abraham.
It was 20 years ago when Mooring and Dee
Carone hooked up as husband and wife. From the Bronx (New York), the only thing thicker than Dee’s love for horses was her accent. Rumor has it the two didn’t understand a word the other said for the first two years after they met!
But words aren’t the only way to communicate – especially for horse folks.
“Her father had pacers and trotters,
and he also owned land in New Mexico,” Mooring explained. “He wanted to get into Quarter Horses, so he asked Dee to find a trainer. Well, she didn’t know anyone, and he specifically wanted someone who could go to Santa Fe. Someone recommended me.
“Dee had a horse that, in my opinion, wasn’t worth as much as the snuff in my mouth. Albert, her father, told me to geld him. I did. Boy, let me tell you! Those brown eyes of hers were snapping when she found out! I didn’t need for her to say anything!
“There have been some tough times, but she’s had my back for the past 20 years.” Horses are a part of Dee’s DNA. She
rode before she walked and, yes, Virginia, they do have barrel racing in the Bronx. And her opinion of the cowboy who’s been her husband for two decades?
“I have never known a man of such honor and integrity,” she said. “He is 100 percent honest with everyone. He’ll do whatever is needed to help people get into the industry and, even more importantly, help them to stay in. He’s kept the same customers for more than 30 years, and he’ll do absolutely anything for our employees. He’s golden.”
Just as in previous years, Double LL has an outstanding stallion battery lined up for
the 2022 breeding season. It was a blow
to lose Attila’s Storm (TB) and the farm’s signature stallion First Moonflash has been gone from the roster for three years. “Those were both wonderful names,” said Mooring, “and we were privileged to have them. But we’re looking forward to some very good times with the nine stallions we’ll have for the coming year.”
“You know, there was a time when I told Dee I wanted her to sell everything when something happened to me, but I changed my mind. We’ve built something important here, and we’re part of the legacy of this business.”
The plan now is for daughter Nicole Ferdinand and Jaime Cervantes, who’s been at Double LL since coming from Mexico in 1999, to take over the future reins. They’ll each receive half of the Double LL holdings.
“I’ve been working at the farm for 16 years,” Nicole said. “Sure, I may want to modernize a few things, but I never want
to disturb any part of the legacy W.L. has built. Living in New Mexico or Texas is
not a requirement for knowing who he is. Everyone in the industry knows who he is, what he’s contributed, and what he stands for. Being a part of that is more special than I can ever explain.”
And Cervantes?
“I call this home,” he said. “It’s not work. It’s an adventure and he’s taught me so much over the years. It’s been a privilege to shake his hand.”
Which brings us back to that solid, 18-carat gold handshake. It’s as real now as it was all those years ago when W.L. Mooring agreed to mow a yard or to cool out a horse after a race. Fortunately for the rest of us, some things just never change.
30 New Mexico Horse Breeder
“Everyone in the industry knows who he is, what he’s contributed, and what he stands for. Being a part of that is more special than I can ever explain.” – Nicole Ferdinand
“I call this home. It’s not work. It’s an adventure and he’s taught me so much over the years. It’s been a privilege to shake his hand.” – Jaime Cervantes
Nicole and Jaime