Raised in Martinborough, South Wairarapa, Libby was born with a passion for all things equine. After writing a horse-mad tale at school, she earned a trip to Newbury Park, then home of Classic Fame, Le Belvedere and Straight Strike. This was Libby’s introduction to the racing industry and she was completely hooked - at 11 years old. She spent every school holiday for many years at Newbury Park, experiencing both the racing side and breeding barn. Though she wasn’t born into the industry, Libby knew it was where she saw herself in the future, so after her early education was complete, she began working with horses as soon as she could. She spent time working for Grant Searle and Jeff Lynds in their racing stables, before a brief stint in Australia with Channel Ten, where she learned the ins and outs of marketing and client relations. Libby then returned to New Zealand to study an Equine degree at Massey University, and it was during this time she began working for the late, great Noel Eales. Noel taught Libby the art of observation: to truly know and understand a horse, it must be observed. To this day you will often find Libby observing various horses around the farm - it’s lucky their house is surrounded by paddocks! 

Libby then went on to manage Newmarket Lodge for Dr John O’Brien, where she ran her first yearling preparation and attended the Karaka sales for the first time. Even that first draft she ever prepared contained a good horse by the name of Galleon’s Reach. Working for John taught Libby the incredibly complex process of equine reproduction and really cemented that passion for breeding and preparing horses for sale. In 2006, Libby was the recipient of the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship, which saw her work at global farms Coolmore in Ireland, Vinery Stud in America and Dalham Hall in Darley. After this, she returned home to assist in the development and establishment of the breeding farm at Wellfield Lodge, where she was assistant manager for four years. During this time, Libby trained new stallions to stud, oversaw every foaling and trained numerous staff in the skill of yearling preparation and presentation. During this time, Wellfield Lodge had some record price sales for the farm. It was during her time at Wellfield Lodge that Libby met Sam and they decided to take the plunge and fill a hole in the marketplace down in the Manawatu: hence the creation of their pride and joy, Highden Park. In her downtime Libby enjoys family time with Sam and their two daughters, Kendall and Harlow, cooking and gaming.