Nov 11, 2013

UGA Eventing Team Member Spotlight: Libby Head and Sir Rockstar Bring Down the House at Fair Hill

By Kay Amann - University of Georgia
Libby and Sir Rockstar tackling the Fair Hill CCI3*. StockImageServices.com

University of Georgia Eventing Team star Libby Head and her aptly named Thoroughbred Sir Rockstar captured the moment and became the Cinderella story in their first CCI3* event at the Fair Hill International Horse Trials in Elkton, Maryland last weekend. That is a lot of stars in just two short sentences. And the stars were definitely shining down on this pair.

Starting with the jog out, where Libby was named best turned out by Eventing Nation, to the incredible climb from dressage, through an almost perfect cross-country, and to show jumping success, this pair seemed groomed for stardom. Winning 12th place overall and 10th place nationally in this talented field of riders and horses out of a group of 45 is a monumental feat for a college student among so many professionals. Libby and “Rocky” earned Reserve Champion for the Developing Rider Award for their first CCI 3*, and Rocky claimed an award for being the highest placed American Thoroughbred.

Libby described the weekend as excellent. The pair had their best dressage score ever at this level, and it was the first time that Rocky did not get nervous and explosive. Their cross-country ride was almost picture perfect, one of the few clear rounds on a very challenging course and being only one second over time. As a true champion, Libby takes the blame for the two stadium rails but did not let that take away from the overall success!

The partnership for this incredible pair goes back to 2008 when Libby got Rocky as a 10 year old. At that time, all he had done is racing and one Novice event in which he was eliminated. When Libby found him, he was so neglected and malnourished that he was anemic and had a heart murmur. He has certainly risen far above his humble beginnings to be the star that he is today.

Libby, who is vice president of the UGA team, was joined at Fair Hill by two of her UGA teammates, who came to help and support her. Kelsey and Katherine drove Rocky to Fair Hill and helped Libby and Rocky throughout the week. They took the UGA team banners, wore their Georgia shirts, and Libby wore her new UGA helmet cover for cross-country. There was even news of UGA buttons being worn all around Fair Hill! Thanks for spreading the “Bulldawg” spirit in Maryland. We are so very proud to have Libby and Rocky representing our team and our school. Libby and Rocky took their game to the top and rocked the event world! Congratulations and GO DAWGS!

Dec 19, 2024 Volunteers

The VIP Volunteer: Cathy Hale Has A Thirst for Adventure and a Love for Volunteering

With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.

Dec 18, 2024 Association News

USEA Office Closed for Holidays

The USEA office will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and will reopen again on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The USEA staff will return emails and phone calls when the office re-opens on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 or at their earliest convenience.

Dec 18, 2024 Interscholastic

Start Planning for the 2025 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships at Stable View

After the success of the first annual USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, members are not going to want to miss the second edition in 2025! Barry and Cyndy Olliff, owners of Stable View, and their team are gearing up for an even bigger and better event in the coming year. If you are a current or prospective member of the Intercollegiate Eventing Program or the Interscholastic Eventing League, be sure to block off the weekend of May 3-4, 2025 to attend these exciting Championships.

Dec 17, 2024 Eventing News

USEA Podcast #376: A Career Worth Celebrating

Hot off the heels of international cross-country course designer Ian Stark's official retirement at the 2024 MARS Maryland 5 Star, USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown sits down with Stark to talk about the trajectory of his career from designing Novice-level baby Burghleys to actual five-star events. This is an episode you won't want to miss that celebrates one of the greatest of our time!

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