Finch Farm - December 2011
26-Dec-2011
What an end to the year! The tyre tracks are still fresh in the driveway from our trip down to Sydney for the Sydney Summer Showjumping Classic. I cannot speak highly enough of the wonderful work done by John Valance and Jane Frankum in organising such a fabulous event. These two, through their company ESP, were not only instrumental in making SIEC such a successful event, but play an important role in maintaining the professional face of Australian horse sports. Thanks must also go to Alice Cameron of Oaks Sport Horses for sponsoring such a great program of young horse classes.
Finch Farm was lucky enough to take home a number awards from this program, with the six-year-old Finch Farm Chill being named the Oaks Medallion Young Horse Champion by a judging panel including Australian showjumping legend Michelle Strapp, and international course designer, Leopoldo Palacios. Five-year-old Finch Farm Style was also judged the strongest in his age category, and was awarded the highest individual showjumping score of all of the young horses presented. Finch Farm Nikko jumped superbly in the mini-prix, and I enjoyed spending some time in the saddle on this lovely horse. I also had a lovely ride on Charlemagne Ego Z around the 1.25m tracks. Congratulations to Kate Hinschen, who did a super job at such a big event. That main arena certainly had a lot of atmosphere, which Kate took in her stride.
Though Sydney was fantastic, it’s pretty thrilling to get home and see the beautiful Finch Farm foals. There is nothing quite as rewarding as seeing your goals coming to fruition, and this is a sensation I am lucky enough to experience every year when breeding season comes around. There are still a few bundles to arrive, but I can honestly say that there isn’t a single foal that disappoints.
As I sit here listening to Christmas carols on the eve of the big day in 2011, I find my thoughts turning to all of the wonderful people who have helped to make 2011 such a fantastic and successful year. Here at Finch Farm our friends, clients, and sponsors really do mean the world to us – thank you all for your ongoing support over the years. How lucky I have been to get to celebrate such a successful year with such great people.
Finch Farm - September/October 2011
26-Oct-2011
We are starting to get used to being surrounded by all this green grass which it is fantastic for all the foals and mares not to mention the bank balance. I’ve been on teaching marathon which has seen me venture to many different parts of the country getting riders ready for a variety of competitions as well as just some back to basic tune ups. The clinics have been going really well and it’s always nice to catch up with old friends and meet new clients . The country looks great everywhere with the good season being widely spread.
The National Inter Schools was held at the start of October at the Werribee Equestrian centre I went down too help Elysia Roach who rode really well to place in the 1.2 metre classes despite having a mishap in the truck .Elysia is forming a very strong relationship with her wonderful mare O’ So Happy due to her truck mishap Elysia decided not to start in the last class a very mature decision. Abbey Seidel and her parents made the long trek from Darwin via Finch Farm to Werribee a mammoth drive from one end of the country to the other .It proved a very successful trip with Abbey doing exceptionally well on both her horses we also wish Ben her father well this week as he competes in the Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft this week .
I was late leaving Melbourne due to fog then proceeded to miss my connection flight too Charleville which made for a bug day of travel I ended up flying into Roma and getting a lift too Charleville . Once I got there we had a great clinic and it is always nice to catch up with everyone even if they do continue to grow up and make me feel old .
I flew back in from Charleville and we got in the truck to head to Dubbo for The National Jumping Championships being organised by Edwena Mitchell. It was a big show with 3 rings and many horses making for some super jumping .The ground started out a little hard then rained so got a little soft but by the end it all seemed pretty good . We had a good show with all ours jumping well , AEA Orox owned by the Brown Family placed 4TH in one of the Futurity Qualifiers the went onto run 2nd to Stephen Dingwell and Cavalier Bryn in the final . Apart from Stephen it was a very Queensland affair with Robert 2nd Shane Davidson on Fairbanks Casper 3rd Clem Smith Guru 4th and Shane Davidson 5th on Fairbanks Lu Lu.
The National Junior Championship was won by Tom McDermott on Capone he also tied with Gemma Creighton , Jake Hunter and himself on his other horse for 2nd 3rd and 4th . 5th place went to kate Hinschen who performed really well again making her debut at this level . Kate actually won the second qualifier which was also the team class which was won well by Qld with the Team of Kate Hinschen , Gemma Creighton , Kirstie Ansell and Emily Patterson well done ladies . The National Young Riders Championships was won by Evie Buller on Yalambi Landor . This combination took all before on their Qld campaign this year, well done to Evie and her lovely family from Western Australia . Nelson Smyth from Rockhampton in Qld won the first 2 qualifiers convincingly and was leading going into the last round but luck wasn’t on their side with a stop and some rails. However it was a mighty effort Nelson well done and keep up the good work .
The Mini Prix was exciting for Finch Farm with Hilary Scott winning on the beautiful Oaks Miss Scarlet , this fabulous mare has just produced a colt foal via embryo transfer to one of our stallions Charlemagne Ego Z . Well done Hilary , Alice and your super Team of horses and people . Chris Chugg ran 2nd on Alondra with 3rd going too Merrick Ubank on Hue and Cry .The National Senior Championship was a popular win by Paul Asthanasoff on his and Charlie Hookes sensational Wirragulla Nicholaus .
So home from Dubbo the mares are foaling well and I couldn’t be happier with what we have produced this year . The stallions have been very busy being shipped around the country I wish everyone the best for their breeding season this year and hope everyone breeds a champion .
Once again thank you to all my wonderful clients I thank you for your ongoing support and faith in what we are doing at Finch Farm . Thank you to the Team at Barastoc and Saddleworld Rockhampton you are without a doubt great sponsors and the leaders of your fields .
Finch Farm - August 2011
22-Aug-2011
It’s time for a deep breath after a huge 3 weeks of shows.
Toowoomba World Cup Show was the first show was the first show on the run. It is always an enjoyable show for us, as we do not have to make a trek to compete. We get lots of visitors and residents which always make for an enjoyable time to be had by all. Jake, Allan and Raewyn Lambert ventured across from Cambridge in New Zealand to spend the show with us. Jake has just spent the last four months working at Ludger Beerbaum stables in Germany, Jake rode Its Ritchie around the Young Riders classes and jumped some great rounds, placing well. Barry and Narelle Hinschen made the long haul drive from Mackay with their daughter Kate to compete at the show. Kate made an amazing debut at this level of event, winning the Eagle Boys Pizza/Calaza Park Junior Qualifier prior to winning the Finch Farm Junior Championship on the last day of the show on her amazing horse Not Over that she has produced herself. Kate has trained with Finch Farm since she was 8, when she made the statement “My name is Kate- and I am going to the Olympics”.
Robert and I had a successful show; qualifying four horses for the final of the David Overton Memorial Futurity Class FF Viduka, FF Chill and FF Nikko were bred by Finch Farm and the other horse AEA Orox is owned by Ian, Dianne and Gabby Brown. David Overton was a friend of mine and I worked for him and his wife Marion with their children’s horses, so this is a class that means a lot to Finch Farm. Finch Farm Viduka made the jump off and jumped spectacularly with Robert, just being edged out by the Manual Families Congranda (IMP) ridden by Sheridan Manual, these two quality horses reversed the placing’s of the QLD Country Championships.
The World Cup Class on Sunday attracted a lot of spectators to watch the event as it was qualifying round for the Olympics. Jamie Kermond reproduced last year’s form to win again this year to win again on the lovely imported mare Colthaga, second went to another imported mare Amira ridden by Andrew Inglis, and third going to Australian bred Dark Ages, bred and owned by Neville Rose, who jumped two amazing rounds with Clem Smith (Well done team Smith).
Graeme Watts built first class courses that flowed well and produced great jumping, allowing the best horses to rise to the top. Well done to Graeme and his organising committee, Annie, Terri and crew. A job well done and appreciated by Finch Farm.
On to the Ekka, which involves a lot of logistical and intricate planning, just to arrive and depart, let alone survive in the Ekka ecosystem. However we always return and catch up with friends from near and far, and have a good week. Robert had a superb week in Section 3, on FF Viduka and AEA Orox placing in most of the classes. Kate Hinschen’s horses had stayed with Finch Farm after Toowoomba and she made her Ekka debut winning a class and placing in the other two, a very consistent performance. Elysia Roach and O’So Happy jumped a good round in the Young Riders with Elysia and the mare gaining more harmony and looking good together. There is nothing quite like a World Cup Qualifier at the Ekka, and amazing crowd with an equally amazing atmosphere, Jamie Kermond rose the top on top again this time on Valhalla an imported stallion, Chris Chugg ran second on Diamond B Vigo, with third to Kristy Bruhn who did an amazing job jumping clear in the first round, first out. Kristy had a very successful Ekka winning Champion Jumping Rider. Leeson Sirrett built the courses, Athol Clarke judged and as always the ground was amazing giving horses a lot of confidence. The Ekka is an icon of Queensland where Country and City unite and keeps alive a great tradition.
We scurried from Ekka to Caboolture where another World Cup Show was held, all the horses performed well considering the long campaign. With good rounds being jumped, Kate Hinschen and Not Over continued their outstanding form winning the Junior Championship quite a remarkable effort, to be so consistent over three of the largest shows in the State. Well done Kate, Barry and Narelle on your patience and focus on the big picture. Elysia jumped 2 amazing rounds in the Tekna Young Riders class, only to miss the finish pegs in the first round, a hard lesson but very still a very positive performance from Elysia and O’ So Happy, which will give them confidence for the future. So as the rain kept falling we headed home to Finch Farm to hear that Tim Amitrano and Mr Innocent won the World Cup Qualifier a mighty effort by Tim, Heidi their team and the remarkable Mr Innocent, second and third went to Billy Raymont on Stardom and Ocean Beach NZPH, well done Billy.
Thanks to my supporters, clients, friends and wonderful sponsors –Barastoc and Saddleword Rockhampton for your ongoing support, it is very much appreciated.
Regards
David and the Team at Finch Farm
Ps we thought this month was busy- breeding season is now upon us!
Finch Farm - July 2011
30-Jul-2011
The start of July was a sad time at Finch Farm, one of my long time students and friends Renee Gimson lost her battle with an aggressive cancer. Renee had spent a lot of time here in the past, and achieved many outstanding results. Renee, Rest in Peace and may your stables be full of great horses and may you jump many clear rounds.
At the start of July we took Finch Farm Chill to the Festival of Dressage where Robert Moffatt rode him and jumped him in the Stallion Presentation. Chill performed really well and gained a new legion of fans with his manners, movement and superb jump. The Festival was a great day for Equestrian sport, to see a group of riders give a day to promote their sport was fantastic. Well done on a great show Festival of Dressage.
After the Festival of Dressage I headed north to Maryborough for the Interschool State Championships. The Scots PGC College were the champion showjumping team. Elysia Roach on her mare O’So Happy jumped some great rounds to place 3rd overall. The standard was very high and there were a large number of competitors.
Gatton Show held the Equestrian Queensland Country Jumping Championships, this show is run by Clem, Sharlene and Jessie Smith and they do an amazing job throughout the whole show. Sharlene found some great sponsors for the show which would have been tough considering what the area had been through this year. Jessie kept us all organised, took great photo’s and rode superbly to place really well in the junior on the first day. Graeme Watts built the courses and did a super job, Averil Hawthorne judged while Ruth Sedger and Vicki Townson did the pencilling great job ladies . The ground was a credit to show society the riders and the horses appreciated it. The Show committee have tried really hard to make a great show after a terrible start to the year.
Finch Farm had a great Country Championships, Hugh Buchanan won the Junior Championship, Elysia Roach placed second on O’So Happy and Emily Pattinson ran 3rd. The young riders was won by Olivia Hamood on the great Bucks Bunny and Gemma Creighton rand 2nd and 3rd. The 1.15m Championship sponsored by Eagle Boys Pizza- Greg, Bev, Hayley Death and Family, was won by Finch Farm Chill I was 2nd on Charlemagne Ego Z and Kirstie Ansell ran 3rd on Volcanic. This win gave Finch Farm Chill the double of State and Country Champion. Well Done Robert and Chill! And a big thanks to the Death Family who have been long time supporters, clients and friends of Finch Farm.
The 1.25m Equestrian Queensland Jumping Committee Championship was won by Robert Moffatt and Finch Farm Viduka, 2nd was Sheridan Manual and Congranda and 3rd went to Robert Moffatt on the Brown Family’s AEA Orox. The Boral 1.40m Championship was won by Brett Warren on the Cullen Family’s Cheezy Z, 2nd went to Clem Smith on the great campaigner Dark Ages and 3rd was Cathy Graham on Davinci’s Pride. The win also gave Brett and Cheezy Z the double of State and Country Championships. Well done to Brett, Aimee and the Cullen Family. I actually won my own prize of Champion Young Horse of the Show on Charlemagne Ego Z, so I was honoured to win that. So at the end of the day we had a great show, a big thank you to all the sponsors and a special thanks to Clem, Sharlene and Jessie smith on a well run show.
Since Gatton I’ve spent time away teaching and we will head to Toowoomba Jump Club for a show this weekend prior to the World Cup Show in Toowoomba next week, then on to the Brisbane Exhibition. We have had a great month at Finch Farm. Thank you to all our clients, friends, supporters and our wonderful sponsors Barastoc and Saddleworld Rockhamption.
David Finch and the Team at Finch Farm
Stallions video 2011
06-Jul-2011
Here is Finch Farms stallions for 2011
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXlAsaYFBq8]click to view stallions[/url]
Finch Farm - June 2011
30-Jun-2011
Wow, what a month June has been for the Finch Farm Team. I returned home from Darwin and headed to Bundaberg for the Queensland Jumping Championships. It had been a long time since I had done the show and you have to give the organising committee credit for the great job they did. Right from the moment we arrived the parking and stabling was so easy and organised. They had early starts due to the numbers in the classes but it was a great sight to walk on the arena that first day and see all the new gear and they had tried hard with the ground. Athol Clarke was building and did a great job, using the whole arena and producing great jump offs. The events were judged by Bob Major and Len Jansen did the announcing and a large group of volunteers including Greg Auer help with everything else it takes to run a show.
Bundaberg was very successful for Finch Farm with Robert Moffatt on Finch Farm Chill winning the Equestrian Queensland State 1.15m Championship. We have always thought a lot of Finch Farm Chill – he is by Converter out of Boera (Lily), a mare I used to ride in the bigger classes. Robert has done great things with this amazing 5 year old stallion and produced him beautifully it was an honour to watch them both win a quality class.
Robert then backed this effort up by winning the Equestrian Queensland State 1.25m Championship on AEA Orox. A horse we have had based on Finch Farm for the past 18 months, he is owned by Ian, Dianne and Gabby Brown of Rockhampton who are great friends and supporters of Finch Farm. AEA Orox is by Orame and Indoctro Ramiro Z Stallion out of a Daley K mare. Robert then tied for equal first with Ron Easy in the Puissance.
The 1.40m was won by Cheezy Z and Brett Warren, 2nd went to Becky Allen and RSB Jacana and 3rd to Florina and Clem Smith, so a great effort by all the mares. The Queensland Junior Championship was won by Emily Patterson and Dustman, Emily is based with Merrick Ubank and this was a well deserved win. A special mention must go to Jessie Smith on the good old campaigner Just A Touch who jumped clear round, a great effort, keep up the good work Jessie. Brittany Ireland won the Queensland Young Riders Championship on TP Winnermaker. Brittany did 2 super rounds - she trains with Tim Armitrano so it was good to see Brittany win a major class.
Bundaberg Show ended and Robert took the horses further north to Rockhampton Show and I headed to Maryborough and did a clinic with the Fraser Coast Horse Trials Group. The Rockhampton Show profile has been improved a lot in the last couple of years due to Graeme Salmond and his team of workers. Graeme and his wife Sandra and their son Will own Saddleworld Rockhampton and they have been long time sponsors, supporters and friends of Finch Farm, providing us with great gear.
Graeme has worked hard to improve their grounds, get good judges, good prize money and provide super trophies and rugs, a very good effort in the current climate after the floods in this region. Finch Farm had another good show with Robert Moffatt on Finch Farm Chill winning the D Grade Grand Prix, he then won the C Grade Grand Prix on Finch Farm Viduka then he finished his day off by winning the A&B Grade Grand Prix on his wonderful partner It’s Richie. Finch Farm Chill also won the Champion Led Warmblood Exhibit. We had many comments on the appearance of our horses along with their performance. A lot of this credit goes to Barastoc, our feed sponsor. Barastoc have been associated with me for over 15 years and have been very supportive of my teaching, competing and breeding programs.
After Rockhampton Robert took the horses back home and I headed north to Mackay to do a clinic. The usually warm Mackay was a little fresh. It was good to catch up with old friends and reinforce a few of the basics into riding. After Mackay I met up with Elysia Roach and her new horse O’So Happy. A mare we purchased from New Zealand and was ridden last season by Jake Lambert who spent time with us last winter before the Singapore Youth Olympics. Jake has spent this season in Germany so it will be good to catch up with him and his family and the Toowoomba World Cup Show.
Elysia had a great first show on O’So Happy and won Reserve Champion at the recent Interschool Event. The Scots PGC School won Champion School with Elysia Roach, Amy Bradfield, Grace Buchholtz and Caitlin Laird - well done girls!
The next weekend Elysia took out Champion on O’So Happy so we are all very happy with them. After there I headed back to Fraser Coast horse trials group before heading north to Townsville where I’m doing a 3 day clinic at Alligator Creek. This is a great club with super facilities and after their cyclone and huge wet they are all keen to get back into the swing of things.
Kellie Buckingham also has spent a lot of time at Finch Farm has headed off to the Billy Stud in West Sussex in the United Kingdom, we all wish her well and thank Kellie for all of her help and input at Finch Farm. We will all miss you greatly but I dare say you will still supply us with a few laughs.
School holidays are now on so it will be quite hectic; Finch Farm Chill is heading to the Festival of Dressage for a demonstration on the weekend, I will then head to Maryborough for the Equestrian Queensland Interschool Championships. Best of luck to all riders!
Thank-you to all our supporters, friends and sponsors for your faith in the team at Finch Farm, you all helped us achieve the recent fantastic results and a big thank-you and congratulations to Robert Moffatt on your outstanding training and patience in producing these horses.
Cheers
David Finch
Finch Farm
Jumping into the Future
Finch Farm - May 2011
30-May-2011
They year is going very fast again the days are getting quite short and much colder. The horses need more rugs but it is pleasant to be going into winter with more feed in the paddocks than the past decade.
Toowoomba Show was successful – the grounds were great considering what had happened to them earlier in the year and the standard of competition was excellent. Wayne Shepherd from Mareeba in North Queensland built the courses while the judging was done by Averil Hawthorne and Joan Schafferius. Helen and Arianne Hall did the gate stewarding and got the riders organized. These two women are amazing people who do so much for the equestrian sport in South East Queensland. We would also like to thank Andrew Keam who came up from Melbourne to help us. The competition was great and Jamie Raymont was Champion Jumping Rider. The Junior Championship was won by Gemma Creighton in a close jump off with Kirstie Ansell. The Future Stars class was won by Sam Overton after a super jump off. His late father David Overton would have been very proud as this was one of his favourite classes.
The Mini Prix was won by David Goodwin riding his sensational horse Dumbledore, we are fortunate to have Dumbledore’s mother in our broodmare band. Merrick Ubank won the Grand Prix on Hue and Cry in exciting style for the large crowd who watched the event. We’ve introduced two Four and Five classes to the program which were well supported and I feel that they will gain popularity as people are breeding and producing specialist sporthorses.
Finch Farm had a great show Robert Moffatt with Finch Farm Chill won the D grade and jumped 10 clear rounds for the show. Finch Farm Viduka made his first appearance in C grade and placed in both Mini Prix class and the Future Stars class, Finch Farm Style was at his 2nd show and jumped 2 double clear rounds in the young horse classes a special horse with an exciting future.
The last couple of weeks saw Finch Farm take 13 horses to Goondiwindi, Taroom and Roma Shows, it is a great run of shows with good stabling and surfaces the horses all performed well. Robert Moffatt with Finch Farm Chill, Finch Farm Viduka and the Brown Family owned Aea Orox performed really consistently and gained great placings. Elysia Roach celebrated her birthday and had super week and enjoyed many placings on her wonderful horse Ronan. Lincoln Glasby and his family did the run as well he continues to improve and jumped great rounds in the big classes – keep up the good work Lincoln.
The Weekend of World Cups in Sydney – what a wonderful and thrilling weekend for Cathy Graham and her wonderful horse Da Vinci’s Pride. Congratulations to Cathy, Kenny and Harry on their great effort producing this fabulous horse.
The Darling Downs Inter School Championships was recently held at the Toowoomba Showgrounds. The Scots PGC College had an excellent weekend and went on to win champion school. Elysia Roach and Ronan where champions of the 120 metres class which made us all very proud at Finch Farm, keep up the good work superstar.
Last weekend saw Finch Farm take a truck to Chinchilla Show, they all performed great Finch Farm Viduka won the Open Grand Prix Robert also ran 2nd on the Brown families AEA Orox. Hayley Death on Emmaville Rove who has been a long time student and client of Finch Farm had a great show placing 4th in the Open Grand Prix and won the open Six Bar in front of a large crowd on the Saturday evening. Thanks to Marg Whip and her family and the Dougall family for their ongoing work at this show.
I’m in Darwin at the moment teaching which probably the nicest place to teach at the moment considering the weather around the country this week. They have a really nice indoor arena to use now which great and it is nice also to be able to catch up with friends.
Thank you again to my clients, friends, support Team at home and my fabulous sponsors Barastoc and Saddleworld Rockhampton hope you are all well.
Regards David
Finch Farm
Jumping into the Future
Finch Farm - January 2011
14-Feb-2011
Well things seem to be getting back to normal after all the trauma that has happened in QLD and Australia. Finch Farm got quite wet , we lost fencing and were flooded in a few times and couldn’t teach, but in the grand scheme of things we are better off than many our thoughts are with all these people and the tough times ahead.
On a sad note the horse world has recently seen some of the pioneering women of our industry pass away, Judy Mackay, Di Dawson and Eleanor Russell. I have recollections of watching Judy at Goondiwindi show as a child and being inspired by her style and grace in the saddle. Although I only knew Di towards the end of her career, she was passionate about the sport and horses to the end, Di had the honour of breeding and competing two horses of her own at World Championships a huge feat. It is very hard to irreplaceable unless you are an individual and Eleanor Russell is someone who is irreplaceable. Eleanor was a constant supporter and mentor in my life for the past twenty years. Eleanor actually organised my first riding job overseas. Her contributions to improving rider’s knowledge of classic riding principles will remain a wonderful legacy through her books.
The foaling has all finished and we have been presented with a magnificent group of foals. The stallions and mares are doing a fantastic job. We are still breeding the last of the mare and still shipping semen to clients. Just a touch of trivia Lily (Boera) my Grand Prix mare had her third foal in a row on the 31st of December.
The stallions have been kept fairly busy throughout the season and we have a new addition. Calgary GNZ arrived from Christchurch, New Zealand, he is a 2 year old bay colt bred by Paul and Pip Ffoulkes at Goldengrove Stud Farm. He is by Casual La Silla out of Henkels Countess a Calato mare from the Holstein line 173 which produced Capital. He is an exceptional type and athlete; he is a credit to Paul and Pip and a testament to the breeding program of Goldengrove Stud Farm. Keep an eye on the stallion pages for his pedigree and images. Cor Roman (Charles) has some new part owners Tricia Osborne and Nicole Magoffin have joined with me in ownership. They will campaign him in the dressage arena. It is very exciting for our syndicate to watch Charles and Nicole charter new waters.
All of the stallions were recently assessed by Gerd Kust from the ACE Group, a very knowledgeable man, so it was good to catch up with him. Calgary GNZ, Finch Farm Viduka, and Finch Farm Chill were all awarded Premium status. Finch Farm style achieved straight 9’s for his jumping .Finch Farm Cairo Finch Farm Nikko, Charlemagne Ego Z and Cor Roman all scored really well and were quite close to premium so it was rewarding to feel that we are on the right track.
Lincoln Glasby spent a month at Finch Farm after Christmas preparing for his trip to New Zealand on the QLD team. A great young rider, very dedicated with a thirst for knowledge which will see Lincoln achieve great things in sport. While he was at the show in Taupo he caught up with Jake Lambert the young Kiwi who spent time at Finch Farm before the Singapore Youth Olympics. Jake won the 7yr old at the show on Quality NZPH, he was the only one to complete the 3 competitions without a fault. Well done Jake!
We have been to a couple of show, all the horses have been going well and running some places. Finch Farm Violet has come out of the brood mare paddock, where she has produced two super foals- one by the Clark Family owned Anton now ridden by Jeff Bloomfield and a Cor Roman filly. Violet is by Vivant and from Caddie from the same dam as Nikko. Unfortunately Caddie passed away recently which is quite sad. Caddie and Lily have been the matriarchs of Finch Farm Violet went to her second show on the weekend and went super to jump a double clear round in the D grade and run a fourth place. A mare with a lot of power and big future.
Teaching is getting back underway and a hectic time looms ahead. Elysia Roach has returned from Hong Kong to go to school, she got to do some competing in Hong Kong and did really well, then did a super job at Allora Show to jump great rounds and then a place.
I hope everyone is well and 2011 has settled for all. Thank you to all those people that sent emails, messages and calls after the floods. It is nice to know that we had well wishes from all round the world. As we embark on the start of another season with the support of my wonderful clients, fantastic sponsors Baratoc and Saddleworld Rockhampton, we look forward to making 2011 an amazing year.
Regards
David
Finch Farm News
29-Dec-2010
Due to the flooding Finch Farm hasn't been able to get new photos of horses for sale. Should have some soon! watch this space for more info!
For further information on any horse or to register your interest for an email when photos are available please do not hesitate to contact us.
December 2010
23-Dec-2010
How about all this rain! What a change to have so much water and grass surrounding us. It has been much better for the mares and foals to have such a good season. The foals are looking sensational and very modern athletes, it is great to see them playing in the grass.
At the end of September I went to the National Inter School competition in Sydney with Elysia Roach and Ronan. Elysia rode superbly for the whole show and was very consistent which enabled her to finish 3rd in the 110cm National Championship. This was a massive event to fit so much into two days and the event was a credit to the Organisers.
We then headed to Lexington in the USA to watch the World Equestrian Games. We watched the Dressage Kur which was sensational. To see those horses in the flesh was amazing, Totilas was out of this world. Australian rider, Brett Parbery on Victory Salute was outstanding and did a fantastic job.
The eventing was great. The Australians just didn’t have a lot of luck on their side, but they will bounce back.
We then watched all the jumping which was great. The Australians where great with their finish overall 7th and therefore have now qualified for the 2012 London Olympics.
The final four of the jumping was great and saw a super win to Philippe Le Jeune and his wonderful horse Vigo d’Arsouilles, a son of Nabab de Reve on whom Philippe had won a bronze medal on at Jerez.
Since then we have been busy teaching and breeding. The rain has slowed the lessons down but we were a long time dry!! The mares have been going in foal and doing the right things which the weather would help with.
At the end of November Equestrian Queensland held its awards evening. I was honoured to be named the Barastoc Queensland Coach of the Year for 2010. I would like to thank Barastoc for sponsoring this section and their ongoing support of myself and Finch Farm. I would also like to congratulate all the other coaches who are all super at their job and put a lot into the sport.
I would like to also congratulate the Equestrian Queensland office staff for putting on such an outstanding evening and thank them all for the work they do throughout the year.
It is Christmas time and another year has passed. Finch Farm and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and successful 2011.
I would like to thank all my clients, friends, all the people who organise clinics, support the stallions and generally share in our dreams and visions. Without you all the journey would be fairly dull.
See you all in the New Year.
David and the Finch Farm Team
Finch Farm Latest News
27-Aug-2010
Robert and Its Ritchie won the first 1.40m class and were placed 3rd in the State Championships on the Sunday. Robert and Finch Farm Chill jumped super and continues to exceed our expectations. Finch Farm Nikko and myself jumped in the 1.30m and jumped some great rounds, he is a horse that does it so incredibly easy.
The junior group of riders from Finch Farm had a great show, Lincoln Glasby continues to absorb everything he can about the sport and improves all the time and won numerous classes in the main ring in the young riders and the 1.30m classes.
Jake Lambert from New Zealand had been spending time with us at Finch Farm in preparation for the Youth Olympics in Singapore he rode great rounds on the horses he rode. Elysia Roach was without Ronan for this show but showed great maturity competing It’s Oliver in those bigger classes.
All of us benefitted from a visit from Vicki Roycroft in between the two Toowoomba Shows. It was good for everyone to have Vicki’s expert opinion. I find it healthy to have someone look from the outside when we all work and train together.
The World Cup show in Toowoomba was great, nice tracks built by Graeme Watts on nice big arena, quite refreshing for the riders and horses. Robert and It’s Ritchie jumped a good round with a couple down in The World Cup . The event was won by Jamie Kermond and Colthaga with 2nd going to Cathy Graham and Da Vinci’s Pride both really exciting combinations for the future.
Lincoln Glasby continued his good form and won the Young Riders Championship, it was a super win and well deserved. Elysia Roach and Ronan had a great show placing 4th in the D grade Championship and 6th in the Junior Championship it was great to see as they are a fabulous combination. Jake Lambert ran a place on Finch Farm Monique as well and jumped some fancy rounds on a relatively green Top Gear. Jake and his father headed home to New Zealand after this show for a week then it was off too Singapore for the Youth Olympics. It was great having Jake around and we wish all the best for his future we have no doubt he is destined for big things.
Finch Farm Nikko continued to jump good rounds in the 1.30m probably just need to do a few more shows at this level. The David Overton Memorial Futurity was won by Aladino owned by Kidston family and campaigned by Merrick Ubank.
The Brisbane Exhibition (the Ekka) was a next and it is a great show, socially and competition wise- it is always an occasion to catch up with old friends. The course builder was Kevin Hansen from New Zealand and did an exceptional job. The surface was quite amazing- during the show there was a fair bit of rain and the ground didn’t shift underfoot at all. Section 3 was a big field and Finch Farm Nikko jumped super, he placed 4th in the A2 and 6t in the AM5. Lincoln and Elysia both jumped well in the juniors. Robert brought It’s Ritchie into the show for the World Cup and jumped a good round. The class was won by Becky Allen in spectacular fashion on RSB Jacana. It is a credit to the RNA for reinstating the World Cup onto peoples day evening. The crowd and the atmosphere has to be experienced to be believed. This coupled with a great competition can only benefit our sport.
It was then off to Caboolture for their World Cup Show. This is a very hard working committee again and they do a great job organising all these people and horses. The World Cup Class here was also a great spectacle. It was won by Tim Amitrano and his great horse Mr Innocent. They are a super combination placing 3rd in the Ekka World Cup and also winning the Grand Prix, well done Tim and Heidi, it was fantastic to watch.
Robert and It’s Ritchie had another good show and end up 5th in the World Cup. Robert was first out and jumped a super round. Lincoln again went well placing 2nd to Gemma Creighton in the Young Riders Championship. Elysia and Ronan went clear in the first round of the Junior Championship.
We all headed home, since then I’ve been on a teaching marathon, it has been good to catch up with everyone and check on their progress. The Youth Olympics have happened in Singapore and Jake kept us informed and did us proud. He and Tom McDermott were part of the Australasian Team who jumped off with Europe for a Gold and Silver, winning the silver medal. Jake jumped two clear round with Teams which is a great credit to him and a fantastic experience. He had a couple of rails in the individual but jumped a super final round for 4 faults.
A big congratulation must go to Paula Hamood and her team of riders from Glen Haven Park for providing the horses for the competition a big job that was well done.
The breeding season is now upon us there are no foals just yet, they’re not too far away. We’ve already sent semen out and there is quite a bit of interest even this early in the season. The recent rain that we have had will be great for the mares and impending offspring. It was exciting to see that Stakkato is still going well, winning the Ladies Championship in Germany last weekend and a number of his offspring are competing and winning at the highest level. Casall La Silla is one of the leading horses in Europe currently with Rolf Gorran-Bengston and it is great to see him dominating at these big shows. Corradina the Corrado mare of Carsten Otto-Nagel has been continuing her great successes in Europe. This is really sensational combination. As a result of our breeding program we have incorporated these bloodlines, and have direct relatives to all three of these European superstars in our paddocks.
The Aussies continue to star overseas as the World Equestrian Games loom ahead. It is a very exciting time ahead.
Finch Farm News Update July 2010
19-Jul-2010
The activities here at Finch Farm have been unhampered by the wet weather; last season’s strong crop of foals have all been weaned, the team truck has had a makeover - courtesy of EJS Designs - and is looking fantastic, and we’re gearing up for the start of the 2010 foaling season in a few short months.
We’re really excited to see the success of Casall la Silla in Europe, who we’ve been using in our breeding program here at Finch Farm. We are watching his foals with great interest and are thrilled to see how clearly his influence is developing within them as they grow. His is a fantastic edition to the depth and athleticism offered by our own team of stallions. We’re happy to be awaiting such a strong and varied pedigree of foals for 2010, and look forward to meeting the new arrivals very soon.
David’s 2010 teaching schedule has so far taken him throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory, and we’ve also been working with a tribe of local young riders over the recent school holidays in preparations for the Queensland Interschool Equestrian Championships.
Finch Farm students performed well at the championships, with Kate Sexton and Emily Coggan taking out champion and reserve champion respectively in the primary school showjumping championship. Maddy Jones took out the 1.20 metre championship and Elysia Roach won the 1.1o metre championship on her Finch Farm bred and produced gelding, Ronan. These young riders are all students at Scots PGC in Warwick, and their combined individual results also won Scots the Finch Farm sponsored trophy for champion showjumping team. Maddy Jones was also earned herself the supreme overall rider thanks to consistent results across the competition.
New Zealand young rider Jake Lambert has also been spending some time with us in preparation for his trip to Singapore for the Youth Olympics. We have no doubt he will compete with his customary coolness and professionalism, and we wish him the best of luck.
On the competition front for our horses, we’re looking forward to a great run of Queensland shows. Our own backyard, Toowoomba plays host to both the QLD championships in late July, and backs up the following weekend with the first of Queensland’s three FEI World Cup Qualifiers. It will be great to see so many of Australia’s showjumping fraternity congregating here in Toowoomba to make use of our wonderful facilities.
Many of these teams, like us, will be following their stop in Toowoomba with starts at Queensland’s other two FEI World Cup qualifying shows – The Brisbane Exhibition and The Caboolture Show. We’re all really pleased that the ‘Ekka’ World Cup is back in its original slot on Wednesday night. This main arena event has long been a feature of the entertainment program on people’s day, and it’s a great opportunity for the general public to get some exposure to the wonderful sport of showjumping.
Our competition horses are all performing really well so we’re looking forward to these upcoming shows. We’re particularly excited about the growth of some of our younger stallions, Charlemagne Ego Z, Finch Farm Chill and Finch Farm Viduka. These boys just keep getting better and better with every start, and much of the credit for this must go to the way they are ridden and handled by Robert Moffatt both at home, and at the shows.
Our ridden horses gained some valuable competition experience at some great shows throughout the earlier part of the year. Worth a mention is the Rockhampton Show in central Queensland, where Graeme Salmond has taken over the horse program and worked tirelessly to improve the grounds. Graeme has been a long time supporter of Finch Farm so it was great to get a team of our horses up there to support his efforts, and even better to bring home placings in each of the championships.
We partook in our inaugural run of Queensland’s western shows, with the Finch Farm truck rolling into Roma, Taroom, Goondiwindi and Chinchilla. Our horses picked up some great results over well built courses, courtesy of Graeme Watts. The western run has a solid tradition of attracting good, strong competition, with well run horse programs, and 2010 was no exception.
We backed up this run of shows with our own local, The Toowoomba Royal Show. At Toowoomba we had all five of our competition stallions on the same truck, and they esteemed themselves not only as true athletes, but also utter gentlemen. Finch Farm Nikko placed an impressive third in the mini-prix, and Finch Farm Viduka took away a win in one of the hugely contested D grade classes.
Finch Farm Viduka’s sire, Vivant has been performing outstandingly in Europe over the past few months, where he and rider Chris Chugg will continue to campaign until the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky this October. Vivant finished equal 7th in the FEI World Cup Finals in Geneva. This result has been much celebrated as the best ever achieved in this event by an Australian rider. Vivant was imported from Belgium as a three year old but has been trained and produced right here in Australia, so it’s fantastic to see him performing so well on the world stage.
New Zealand rider Katie Mcvean and her New Zealand-bred Dunston Delphi have also been performing well on the other side of the Atlantic, in Canada. In his first ever 1.60 meter start at Calgary’s famous Spruce Meadows show, Dunston Delphi was one of only five combinations to make it to the jump off in the CSI5* grand prix, finishing the class in fourth place.
Perhaps the greatest thrill to come from these two success stories is their consolidation that our locally produced horses are capable of being highly competitive at the most elite levels of international competition.
Add to this the already established profiles of some of our internationally based riders, such as Aussie Edwina Alexander, who finished the 2009/2010 FEI Western European Rolex World Cup League in a commanding fourth place, and things are looking very promising for the future of Australian and New Zealand showjumping.
Finch Farm News
22-Dec-2009
The end of the year is almost here and it’s hard to know where the year has gone – one minute we’re celebrating the beginning of 2009 and before we knew it we’re putting up the Christmas Tree again!
We’ve had a very busy time at the shows. Robert took horses to the Murwillumbah show in November where all the Finch Farm horses jumped well, especially Finch Farm Monique who placed in her classes and Finch Farm Viduka, who jumped brilliantly and showed great maturity.
The Breeding Season has been very busy for us at Finch Farm and we are still awaiting the arrival of some foals. We have been very pleased with our new arrivals so far – mostly fillies - and are anticipating a good season ahead, which would be a great Christmas present.
Elysia Roach finished up the school year and has headed off for 3 weeks in Germany training and competing prior to heading back to Hong Kong for Christmas. This will be a great experience for her and we wish her well and look forward to hearing all about her trip abroad when she returns to Finch Farm in 2010.
On the 28th November I was very humbled to once again receive the Barastoc Coach of the Year Award for Queensland at the Equestrian Queensland awards. I would like to also congratulate Kevin McNab and Jenny Gerkhe, the other finalists – two great competitors and coaches.
K.S. Genoa and Peter McMahon were awarded the Finch Farm Cup for Queensland’s leading F.E.I horse and rider combination – our congratulations to Peter and Michelle and K.S Genoa. K.S. Genoa has been officially retired this year and is being bred to Charlemagne EgoZ. This is exciting news for all and we are all eagerly looking forward to seeing her foal next year.
A special mention must be made of Liz, Fiona, Sasha, Jodie, Gemma and Rob Ferguson from the Equestrian Queensland office on a great evening at the awards and a good job throughout the year – it’s very much appreciated.
Teaching workshops continue and Im heading the to the Fraser Coast for the weekend and then off to Tambo next week. This will finish off teaching for the year.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Barastoc for their ongoing support of Finch Farm and Graeme and Sandra Salmond of Rockhampton Saddleworld for their support – we really appreciate both support and are proud to be associated with them.
Finally, both Robert and I would like to take this opportunity to wish our clients, friends and family a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. May 2010 be a wonderful year for everyone.
Finch Farm News Update
27-Sep-2009
August was a huge month at Finch Farm, especially on the competition scene.
The Toowoomba World Cup was a great Show with a good surface on a big arena with beautiful jumps and well planned courses.
Robert and “It’s Ritchie” jumped a super round in the first round of the World Cup Class for only 4 faults, with only a further 8 faults in the second round to finish 10th. This was a very credible result for Robert, considering that he was riding with a broken leg!
The Class was won by “Vivant” who is the sire of Finch Farm Viduka.
Finch Farm Viduka went sensational in the 1.10metre class. Finch Farm Nikko and Cor Roman Ego Z also jumped great in the 1.20metre class. Finch Farm Bono and Finch Farm Jay P also jumped well for placings.
After The Toowoomba World Cup it was on to Brisbane Royal (“ The Ekka”) where due to injuries, we were represented by It’s Ritchie, Finch Farm Nikko and Elysia Roach and her horse, Ronan.
It’s Ritchie proved a consistent performer throughout the Brisbane Royal and received placings in most of his classes.
Finch Farm Nikko performed sensationally in Section 3 – which was his first Royal experience – jumping some great rounds and gaining 5th Place.
Elysia Roach and her horse, Ronan, competed in their first ever Brisbane Royal where they performed well with a 4-faults round in the Junior Championship.
After competing at the Royal, Elysia and Ronan went on to jump a clear round in the Junior Championship at the Caboolture World Cup.
With September comes spring and the breeding season…
Finch Farm’s first foals are due soon and we are all excited on the impending arrival of the first Charlemagne Ego Z and Finch Farm Chill foals.
With the European championships having been completed, it was very encouraging to see Night Train, a Calvar Z son, perform so well and also to see Corradina win the silver medal.
Finch Farm Cowgirl, by Corrado out of Boera, has just begun her working life at Finch Farm and we are hoping for great things from her.
On the Teaching Front
It has been very hectic! I have been spending time in Darwin, Rockhampton, Mackay, Maryborough, Caboolture and a lot of places in between. At the end of September the National InterSchool Championships will be held at Werribee, Victoria. We would like to wish all of the participants a safe journey and all the very best of luck.
Finch Farm News Update - July 2009
26-Jul-2009
Showjumping World Cup
We've been busy getting ready for the first ever Qualifying Round of the Pacific League of the Showjumping World Cup that will be held at the Toowoomba Showgrounds’ Indoor Arena the first weekend in August.
World Cup Showjumping is the most prestigious and highest level of Showjumping competition, attracting up to 50,000 spectators and huge prizemoney in Europe and America.
It will be good to have a COC Qualifier in the main arena of the Toowoomba Showgrounds.
Best of luck to all those riders looking to qualify for the World Equestrian Games.
Teaching
On the teaching front it has been a very hectic time for me. I have been doing clinics throughout the state and even venturing to Darwin to conduct a number of workshops.
The Northern Territory crowd are a very enthusiastic group of people with great facilities and grounds. It was nice to drive through Darwin and see sprinklers on in the front lawns - something we dont see in Toowoomba at all anymore.
My students have all made great progress with their riding and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my new students all the very best at the Darwin Royal this week.
QISEA State Championships
The Queensland Inter School Equestrian Association Championships were held at the beginning of July in Warwick.
Congratulations must go to the students of Scots PGC, who won the State Showjumping Team event - all that hard work has paid off!
Congratulations also to Isobel Emmerton who won not only Individual Showjumper in the 1M Rider section but also achieved Champion Large Pony Hack in the Showhorse section.
Isobel rode Askalon in the Showjumping section - Askalon is a horse that has spent a lot of time with us at Finch Farm in the past.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all the riders successful National Championships that will be taking place in Victoria in October of this year.
Breeding Season - New Sire for Finch Farm
The 2009 Breeding Season is drawing closer and it will be interesting to see what horses have been successful in the Northern Hemisphere's summer competitions.
With Stakkato progeny doing so well, including the mare - Souvenir - who won the German Championships , Finch Farm is pleased to announce that we will be standing a Stakkato son at stud this breeding season.
CALVARO Z continues to produce super athletes and is the stallion choice for many of the world's leading riders.
It's interesting to see that both Calvaro Z and Stakkato work with a variety of mares.
Charlemagne EgoZ will also be standing at Finch Farm this season and is expecting his first crop of foals - we cant wait to see what this super athlete produces!
Finch Farm News Update
19-Mar-2009
Around the Shows
1. Bell Show
• “Finch Farm Nikko” won the C & D Championship.
• “Corr Roman Ego Z” ran 4th (D Finch rider) and “Finch Farm Jay P” collected 5th place (Robert Moffatt rider).
• A, B & C Grade plus Championship was won by “It’s Ritchie”. “Finch Farm Audrey” collected 4th place.
• New talent Elysia Roach collected 2nd prize in the Junior Grade at Bell on “Ronan”.
2. Millmerran Show
• Robert Moffatt collected 1st, 2nd and 4th Prize in the 1.35m Championship riding “Jack of Hearts”, It’s Ritchie” and “Finch Farm Audrey”.
Recent Clinics
Apart from the many private lessons that David Finch has taught, he also ran the following clinics last month:-
•Fraser Coast Horse Trials – 2 day clinic
•Waroula Equestrian Group clinic at Rockhampton
At The Farm
As anyone knows, life on a horse farm is never dull. Apart from the normal day-to-day running and management, both Robert and David never sit still!
During the month of February, Vicki Roycroft, Australian Olympian and showjumping legend visited to oversee the young horses in training and to see the Stallions at Finch Farm.
“It was good to spend the day with such a professional horsewoman and many thanks to Vicki for the mentorship and understanding.” David Finch said.
David Finch Collects At Awards
12-Jan-2009
The Iveco Equestion Queensland Awards were held on the 29th November, 2008 at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast. David Finch was the proud recipient of two awards on the evening: The Brisbane City Council Service to Sport and the Barastoc Coach of the Year Award.
Showjumping dominates David Finch
09-Dec-2008
Jim Tucker - The Courier Mail
November 28, 2008
IT says it all about David Finch''s priorities that he bypassed the Queensland Sport Awards to tend a sick foal.
Horses are at the heart of who he is as showjumping teacher, breeder, competitor, official and enthusiast who has lit a similar flame in others aged from 10 to 60.
It''s a way of life for the bachelor from Westbrook, outside Toowoomba, that captures his passion every day.
"I can''t remember not being around horses. They''ve just always been there," Finch, 35, said.
"When I was growing up on a farm outside Roma, I was the kid hanging around for a ride after mustering."
From those early days in father Peter''s old stock saddle, Finch made his way through the ranks of bush pony clubs, campdraft arenas and the old-fashioned country shows.
Tonight, he is in the running for gongs as coach of the year and for his service to the sport at the Iveco Equestrian Queensland awards night on the Gold Coast.
Finch''s involvement as a coach is not just at the elite end where he has guided the rise of Millmerran product Robert Moffatt, who is competing at World Cup showjumping events.
He travels the state teaching showjumping, eventing and dressage. Beginners and long-time riders looking to improve all lap up his mentoring.
"I started teaching to support my own riding and competing. I woke up one day and I had a business," Finch said with a smile.
"The sport of equestrian is amazing. You can be teaching the very young or someone of 60 who wants to canter over low jumps because that''s their passion like golf is for others.
"It''s one of the few sports where men and women compete equally and age makes little difference.
"Look at Laurie Lever. He was 60 when he made his Olympics debut in the showjumping for Australia in Beijing this year."
Finch knows how much Lever would have put in to realise his dream.
Building the bond between horse and rider is one of the most rewarding aspects of the sport for Finch.
"It looks all glamorous when you see a showjumper in the ring for a two-minute performance but it''s probably taken 10 years to reach that excellence," he said.
"Showjumping is quite technical. It''s a lot more than hopping on a horse and jumping a fence.
"It''s very much a teamwork thing. The horses get to understand you and you understand them."
When Australia was hit by the horse flu crisis last year, Finch was in the frontline as an industry liaison to put into the language of horse people all the information coming from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
"The EI outbreak also highlighted just how many people out there ride horses, including many in the cities," Finch said.
He knows little of the Playstation and XBox games that have besotted our youth but he can tell you how well-rounded kids are who grow up with horses.
"Apart from the riding aspects for horse kids, there''s the learning to compete, the goal-setting and the ups and downs that come with that," Finch said.
"You don''t see horse kids just hanging around idle. There are competitions to get ready for and there''s responsibility in caring for a horse. It''s good grounding for life."
From Finch Farm, he has developed a top-class breeding program to bring on more elite competition horses.
Moffatt has a number of Finch Farm horses amongst his competition stable for 2009.
Membership of Equestrian Queensland topped 3000 members last year for the first time across juniors, seniors, recreational riders and officials.
Finch teaches one day a week within the equine course at Scot''s PGC College in Warwick and the schools area is one where equestrian is taking off.
He was one of the coaches for the Queensland team which won the inaugural inter-school national championships in Toowoomba in October when the sport''s new breed shone.
He designed the showjumping course so, in every way, David Finch is in the sport he loves from the ground up.
Charlemagne Ego Z.
29-Aug-2008
Finch Farm is pleased to announce the arrival of Charlemagne Ego Z. He was bred by Linda Mayer and is by Calvaro Z, who was successfully ridden by Jos Lansink and the Whittaker Brothers, he is out of a Calvin Z mare, giving him a truly international pedigree. Charlemagne Ego Z has a great temperament and is a good type, showing heaps of power and elasticity. We look forward to using him in our breeding program.
Website Launch.
29-Aug-2008
This week sees the launch of the Home Page and Stallion Section of the Finch Farm website. The other pages that you wish to see will be available shortly.
Look forward to joining me in the journey.