#roadtoadelaide

[revolutionracingf1]

With the 2017 rule changes in place, what does this mean for us at Revolution Racing. Only five days to go! #countdown #roadtoadelaide #2017nationals #f1inschools #TheRevolutionBegins

[crosscountryapp]

Get to know our sponsored rider Libby Lowery. Libby is aiming for her first 4* at Adelaide this year. 

What got you into eventing? 

Not sure exactly but I think probably Pony Club. My Mum and her sister had been riders growing up and they got my cousin and myself into horses. Whilst my Cousin was more interested in the Dressage/ Show Riding side of things I was always more interested in the adrenaline-based side of things, such as Mounted Games and Show Jumping. I did my first event at E-Grade Pony Club on my 13.2hh liver chestnut pony – who had been successful at Sydney Royal in the Show Ring – when I was about 9 and have loved it ever since.

Tell us about your top horse Skye. What are his best qualities?

 Skye is the best horse I could have ever hoped for. He has so many good qualities. I think his best quality is that he always brings me home safely on Cross Country. I think that’s what keeps my Mum sane when she walks the courses with me now. She always said to me that as long as the both of us get in the truck to make the journey home in one piece that was all that mattered. Skye is also full of personality and just always tries so hard for me. I still can’t believe that I have such an amazing horse.

 Is your family involved in your riding career?

My Mum, Aunt and Cousin are all involved as they have been with me from day one. Many of the horses that I have had the opportunity to ride over the years have come from my cousin. I bought Skye off of her almost 5 years ago after she decided that she no longer wanted to Show but wanted to do Dressage. Dad supports me and often drives me places – such as Lakes and Craters, Tamworth, Quirindi and Albury, all the ones are a little bit further away – but having not had an equestrian upbringing there’s only so much that he is interested in.

 What do you think makes you a good competitor across disciplines?

  A few things have helped me I think. Firstly, my coach, Christine Bates, who has been there for me to help me with any aspect of the three phases and also to let me know if I’m getting complacent. Secondly, my family’s insistence on the importance of dressage for everything, even mounted games ponies, has really helped with my show jumping, as well as my dressage. And lastly, having to ride which ever horse I had at the time around cross country, if I wanted to compete, has really helped allow me to have confidence riding such talented and bold jumping horses now.

 What would you say to a Young Rider who wants to get to 3 Star level?

 I think the most important things are to have a horse and coach that you trust. There have been a lot of times where I have been unsure of what I should be doing with Skye over the years, worried that I might be rushing him up through levels, and my coach has always been there to give me advice. A particularly tough decision was whether or not to compete at Adelaide last year. In some ways I felt I should go as we had qualified and in this sport you never know whether there will be a next year, but at the same time I didn’t feel confident that we would get round without scaring one or both of us, considering our limited 3 Star starts. To be able to go and discuss this with my coach was a relief and we went over all the pros and cons and decided to wait a year, which I thought was the right decision.

 Do you see horses in your life for the long haul?

 I do. They’ve been in my life for as long as I remember and I just can’t imagine my life without them.

 What’s your life like outside riding? Do you have any hobbies?

 According to my parents riding is my hobby. I’m studying Marketing at Macquarie University and working a couple of casual jobs to fund my hobby. I used to partake in other sports when I was younger such as Netball, Soccer, Swimming and Dancing but once I got into Eventing that was all I really wanted to do.

 Which Eventer do you most look up to?

 That’d have to be my coach, Christine Bates. She is an amazing rider, hard working and a great coach, and yet still finds time to give back to the sport, being on the SIEC Eventing Committee, as well as running training events at Willow Park.

 If you could have any horse in the world who would it be?

I already have the best horse in the world and I can’t think of any other horse that would be as good for me as a rider. Skye was given to me when he had hardly seen a jump and I’d hardly done a Prenovice. Not only did he take me round Adelaide 2 Star as our 4th ever 2 Star, but he’s also qualified me 4 Star. I couldn’t ask for anything else. I am so lucky to have him.

To see all the courses Libby has recorded with CrossCounty App search for Libby in the course library.