Libbey Colvin is working hard and enjoying the opportunities that come with competing at the next level
STOCKTON, MO. – Sometimes, life is a balancing act. No one knows this better than Liz Colvin, a wife and mother of four very agriculture- and sports-oriented children.
Libbey, the second youngest of the Colvin Clan, has made a name for herself in the world of barrel racing in addition to youth fairs. Growing up, her eyes peered through the railing as her older brothers participated in roping events. Behind those eyes, fascination grew, and it didn’t take long for her to realize she wanted to be competing, too.
She began by competing in hunter-jumper exhibitions, eventually transitioning to fast-paced barrel racing after attending the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
Libbey has garnered numerous accolades and financial rewards for her talent as a barrel racer. She made sure to point out, though, that she doesn’t do it alone.
Libbey’s horse, a 20-year-old sorrel mare named Hollywood, is not your typical barrel-racing mount. The quarter horse is missing her left eye, the cause of which is unknown. What’s certain, though, is that being half-blind has not hindered her racing capabilities.
“We got her from a lady in Oklahoma, and she’s super sweet,” Libbey said, “but she can get a little hot from being in the arena all the time, so I try to take her on trail rides when I’m not barrel racing.”
Libbey makes time for these trail rides in between school and extracurricular activities, such as softball and volleyball.
“She rides every night,” Liz said of her daughter’s time with Hollywood. “She gets home from practice, and she’s on one of her horses.”
Libbey made the trip to Perry, Georgia for the 2025 National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Youth and Teen World Championships where she competed in the Youth Division.
“I took my mare Hollywood down there and we were there for a week total. We ran on Tuesday and it went pretty good, but not good enough to qualify us back but we still had another chance on Thursday.” Libbey continued, “We didn’t qualify on Thursday but we were able to run in the redemption round on Friday. We didn’t qualify there either, but all in all it was a great experience and we had so much fun down there.”
Liz and her husband oversee Libbey’s equestrian ventures, as well as the various activities of their other children, but it can be challenging to juggle such a multitude of responsibilities.
She and her husband, Justin, built a farm in 2005 and have lived on it ever since. What was initially an egg, chicken, and cattle operation has been turned into a premises for the couple’s children to pursue their agricultural endeavors.
Layne, 21, Layton, 18, Libbey, 14, and Landry, 11, have all participated in youth fairs, achieving honors such as showing at the state level.
“The kids have always shown livestock,” Liz said. “They started with pigs, and now they show lambs at local fairs.”
She stated that the level of dedication that goes into show preparation provides the children with an invaluable skillset.
“They’re learning skills to take on into adulthood, taking care of something other than yourself and earning from that,” she said, adding that with their show earnings, her children have all purchased their first vehicles.
“It’s a lot of balancing and a lot of expense,” Liz said, “but we feel like investing in our children is very important.”
She mentioned a Bible verse she turns to for guidance: Proverbs 3:6 – “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
