AUTUMN 2012 - OHOPE ACHIEVER - Duncan McFarlane

McFarlane's interview with Ohope Tide

McFarlane was a Reserve for the New Zealand Show jumping Team in the 2004 Athens Olympics with his mount
“Eezy” and has ridden for New Zealand in a Nations Cup Event in Belgium. He has currently won a number of events representing New Zealand in the World Cup Qualifying Events in the USA.

Where were you born?

Whakatane, New Zealand.

How many in your family?

One sister.

Favourite subjects at school?

Maths.

What career have you followed? Is horse riding your fulltime career?

Welder, Farrier, Full time rider trainer.

Why did you choose show jumping?

Liked the fact that a timer clock and defined rules reflected the outcome of a class, not someone’s, opinion.

Do people in the USA know where NZ is and do you get asked a lot about where you are from?

Yes all the time. It’s on most peoples wish list of places to visit.

Where are you living now and what made you live there?

I live one hour east of San Francisco. I came here first to work for fellow Kiwi Butch Thomas and liked the area so
I stayed.

Best part of what you do?

The horses.

Famous people you have met?

Too many to list. We show a lot in Los Angeles so we get to meet many famous people. As well many celebrities
have family members that ride , so we see them a lot at shows.

Your biggest achievement to date?

Being NZ team alternate in Athens, 2nd $1,000,000 Grand Prix New York 2012.

Biggest challenge you have had to overcome?

Every day brings challenges some big some small, overcoming them makes life more rewarding and worthwhile.

Best places you have travelled to?

Been to many places Cozumel, Lake Tahoe, Europe, but always my favorite place is New Zealand.

What do you want to achieve in the next 5 years?

World cup finals, WEG, win the Pfizer million GP Olympics for NZ.

Favourite foods?

Meat,mashed spuds and peas.

Do you have to have special dietary menus for competition?

Pasta.

Favourite music and movies?

Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, Travis Tritt, U2.

Your inspiration and mentors?

Many mentors Richard Spooner, Helen McNaught, McLain Ward to name a few.

What would you have done instead of riding horses?

Some kind of travelling job in NZ, I love seeing the country never get tired of seeing it.

Person who you would have dinner with and who?

Ronald Reagan or Maggie Thatcher would have liked their take on current US and World affairs.

How would friends describe you in 3 words?

Don’t know you would have to ask them!