He was the first winner of 2020 with the lowest finishing score, Rock on Cooley is the USEA February Horse of the Month! On January 12, Rock on Cooley finished with a score of 20.5 to win the Open Training division at the Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks with rider Leslie Law.
Rock on Cooley is a 2011 Irish Sport Horse gelding sired by Rock Harbour, owned by Erin Walker, and ridden by both Walker and Law. The 9-year-old gelding started his U.S. eventing career in October 2018 and has already added five wins to his record. Out of the 12 outings he’s done in the U.S., he’s scored in the 20s eight times. He averages a dressage score of 27.72, and his lowest score was the 20.5 he earned at the Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks.
He’s a people pleaser who loves treats – learn more about Rock on Cooley from owner, Erin Walker.
About Rock on Cooley:
“Rocket.”
“German muffin.”
“[He] loves to do dressage and is very lovely and good at it. I would say he loves the cross-country as well.”
“He is a total snuggle bug, lover.”
“Snuggling and he loves cookies. He is always looking for cookies. He likes to please you.”
Miss the USEA January Horse of the Month? Click here to learn more about Z, the USEA January Horse of the Month.
The USEA is recognizing an event horse each month on the USEA website and social media. The USEA Horse of the Month is determined based on statistics and event results and announced at the beginning of every month. The February Horse of the Month was selected based on the performance at the first horse trials of 2020.
“There’s been a lot of learning around this track so far,” said commentator Frankie Thieriot Stutes as riders contested the Cosequin CCI4*-S at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.
It's time to get down to business at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Across both the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L divisions riders have echoed two of the same sentiments: this won't be a dressage competition and Derek di Grazia's courses might look easier than they ride this year.
With the Paris Olympics on the horizon this summer, riders from the top eventing nations are gunning for a coveted team spot, and British team selection is particularly tough due to a plethora of talent. Tom McEwen came to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event to prove he’s on form with James and Joe Lambert and Deirdre Johnston’s JL Dublin, and he’s out in front after two days of dressage.
Derek di Grazia’s name is legend at the Kentucky Horse Park as the designer of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country course for over a decade, in addition to countless other influential tracks around the world. Now with the inclusion of the Cosequin CCI4*-S division, which runs alongside the famed five-star, riders at both the four- and five-star levels get to experience one of the iconic di Grazia Kentucky tracks while competing in the bluegrass. The USEA caught up with riders of both levels to get their feedback on this year’s courses.