When 16-year-old Lola Lonesky talks about her horse, Cooley Quicksilver, better known as “Monster,” a 2011 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Womanizer x Creggan Diamond), her whole face lights up. “He makes me the happiest person ever,” she says with a blush. “He has such a fun personality. He’s so intelligent that he asks you multiple questions just to make sure you are prepared for the test or course, and that you know what you’re talking about when he’s being ridden.”
Once a top CCI4*/5* mount for U.S. Eventing Team athlete and Olympian, Liz Halliday, Monster is no stranger to competing over some of the biggest tracks in the world. His career was put on pause when Halliday suffered a traumatic brain injury in a fall in 2024. Her talented string of horses was later dispersed to other athletes to continue training in their programs. It was then when Monster found his way to USEF Eventing Development Program athlete, Mia Farley. Farley restarted him at Preliminary level at the Kentucky May-Daze Horse Trials this past May, where he promptly won on his dressage score of 26.1. Reflecting on her time with him, Farley said, “Liz sure did create the coolest horse I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”
Now, Monster is writing his next chapter as a teacher and partner for his newest owner, Lonesky, who only began riding him in July of this year. “I’ve never really had the opportunity to ride a horse that has his experience,” she admits. “I’m used to riding and training green horses, so to be able to sit on him and relax, knowing he has my back, was such a different feel. He’s already so set in his ways because he’s done such amazing things. Now I get to learn from him instead of having to teach.”
That role reversal has been especially meaningful in cross-country, a phase that once left Lonesky anxious. “I’ve never really been able to have fun out on cross-country,” she says. “But with him, I've learned that we can gallop away from a fence. When I shift my weight, he just comes right back to me. I actually get to flow to the fences and have fun doing it. It’s such an incredible feeling I’ve never really had before meeting Monster.”
At home and at shows, Monster has a confident yet “chill” personality. Lonesky laughs when she talks about his favorite snacks: Pop-Tarts and Sour Patch gummies. “He’s addicted to the watermelon flavored ones!” she shared. And on competition mornings, the two share a calming routine of braiding and getting tacked up to jazz music. “It mellows us both out,” she explains. Listening to jazz music is something she accredits particularly on dressage day when the two get to go out and dance together in the arena. “In the dressage ring, he’s so easy-going. Some horses get antsy, but he’s quite the opposite. It’s like he takes a breath and says, ‘Okay, this is my thing. I get to go show off. Let’s go!’”
As she looks ahead to competing at the Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials at Morven Park, Lonesky balances nerves with joy. “I’m so excited. I'll admit I am a little nervous right now, but really, it’s just exciting to be able to go,” she says.
Monster has already proven himself at the highest levels of eventing. Now, he’s passing along that experience, not just through results, but by showing a young athlete how to find confidence, build trust, while giving permission to have fun. “He’s my teacher,” Lonesky says simply. “He’s wonderful.”
In many ways, Monster’s demeanor and talent reflects Halliday’s continued impact and legacy in the sport. The foundation she built continues to shine through - from Mia Farley’s praise to Lonesky’s joy - as Monster carries forward the lessons of his past and shares with the future of eventing.
You can watch Cooley Quicksilver and Lola Lonesky in action this week at the 2025 Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials. Watch the free live stream on the Morven Park Youtube Channel and catch the US Equestrian Open Final of Eventing, also live from Morven Park in Leesburg, Va, on USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. Watch live for free with a USEF Fan account.