Coach of the Month - February 2024

Above: David Finch with two Finch Farm Stallions – Photo Credit. Elysia Roach.

Queensland Jumping specialist David Finch has earned widespread respect for his knowledge and commitment to equestrian sport.  Another accolade was added to his list of personal achievements when he was named Equestrian Australia’s Coach of the Month for February 2024.

Equestrian Australia spoke with David and learned that he was born in Toowoomba, Queensland and grew up on the family property in Roma, where his dad still rides to this day.  David first attended Pony Club at age three and his broader interest in horses began with humble beginnings mustering stock, seated in his father’s old stock saddle.

In his formative years, David competed at Pony Club events and many agricultural shows in country Queensland. He says that the lessons learned in these early days have guided him and formed life skills as well as determining a role in Australian equestrian sport. 

Above: 3 YO David riding Jedda at the Roma Show in 1976.  Photo from the family album.

David explained, “My first successes came at state and national level in sporting and camp drafting events. I worked hard to develop my own and my horse’s jumping skills and this led me taking part in show jumping classes at interschool competitions when I attended Downlands College in Toowoomba.”

David told us that a special favourite horse was Boera (Lily), a thoroughbred mare he partnered in the 1990s.  She earned his love and respect because she always tried her hardest. “Lily’s body was prone to injury and her recovery from a broken pelvis was remarkable and this gusty mare always tried and never gave up.  Boera has gone on to be a foundation mare at Finch Farm, so her legacy lives on.”

David took EA back to his early experiences and said, “I have had literally thousands of lessons over the years, and all instructors have helped to develop my skills. I applied myself to riding and learned as much again by watching the lessons of others, I was in awe at how a good coach could improve a horse and rider in just one lesson.  I started as an instructor by helping a few riders that I knew, and a career in coaching grew from there.”

A strong commitment to riders and Queensland’s equestrian community prompted David to sit on the Board of Equestrian Queensland for twelve years, seven years as Chair and he also acted as Vice-Chair for two years.  David said, “No sport can function without all parts of the administration working well.  Equestrian sport can be complex with multiple disciplines, and the responsibility of supporting beginner riders right through to Olympic and international competitors, must be top priority. This means knowing and following the rules for national events and also the FEI who govern participation of Australian riders competing at affiliated national and international competitions. I worked with some great people during my time on the Board, all credit to them for their vision and commitment.”

EA’s February 2024 award is not the first time that David Finch’s coaching style and achievements have attracted attention. As a Level 3 Jumping Specialist, National Coach Educator, former recipient of the EFA’s prestigious NCAS Coach of the Year award and a six-times Equestrian Queensland’s Coach of the Year, David has been widely recognised for his passion and dedication to equestrian sport. David is also proud to be a member of an elite group of Level 3 accredited jumping specialist coaches in Australia, an honour that carries international recognition. More recently, David Finch was inducted into the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland’s Hall of Fame.

As an Equestrian Australia Coach, David travels extensively throughout Australia teaching and he also officiates as a course builder at jumping events.  He says “Coaching gives me the opportunity to be inspired and gratified, as many of the people I teach would have no idea who is turning up for a lesson.  My students range from elite riders to raw beginners, and they come from places all over Australia. I get great satisfaction from being able to offer advice that has been gained from personal experience and watching the best in the sport, this gives most riders positives to take away. Following the progress of riders coming up through the ranks and improving keeps me motivated and makes me want to be a better coach.”  David added with a smile in his voice, “I also want to get better myself and believe that I haven’t peaked yet!”

EA asked David if there was a secret to his success and he quickly explained, “Good basics and putting in the hard work required to give horses a correct start is imperative.  If the basics are established, the rest just follows, in almost all my lessons it comes back to simple exercises done well - this is where success begins. I never stop with the message that even the simple things are quite difficult if you don’t have correct basic training established.”

David’s success as a Jumping competitor saw him take part on the international circuit in Japan, Germany and the United States.  He reflects that the good riders were all mounted on great horses, and this was something he wanted to see for Australia’s future.

EA discovered that not only has David made his mark on Australian equestrian sport as rider, horse trainer, in-demand riding instructor and equestrian coach, he also contributes much as the proprietor of Finch Farm, a performance horse stud that has produced a string of top-level showjumpers including world cup qualifiers, ‘Campmaster’, ’Boera’, ‘Finch Farm Chill’ and ‘Charlemagne Ego Z’.

Above: David Finch riding Charlemagne Ego Z at an Elysian Fields jumping competition.  Photo Credit: Lucy Hunkin.

Finch Farm has achieved recognition from local and international enthusiasts and David says, “It is hard work, long hours and juggling time can be challenging, but good horses are a pre requisite for success and I am gratified that the Finch Farm breeding program is living up to the promise of the bloodlines that were selected as the foundation for future champions.

David added, “The challenges for most horse professionals never end, but they are a part of our sport and if you can’t embrace this aspect of the industry, you won’t last. As a coach educator I find myself encouraging students to follow their heart and pursue a career doing what they love. 

“In all other professions, trainees have to do an apprenticeship and either end up with a HECS debt at the completion of their degree, or alternatively, they must settle for earning a minimal wage while learning their trade, then it will then take many more years to gain the experience and respect required to set up a business. It is similar in our profession trainees must put in the hard yards early on … we all did! Then you have an obligation to keep improving and updating, this is where the Equestrian Australia coaching community supports the career pathway of trainees, they are there to help.

“I advise students who are studying to become equestrian coaches to watch and work with more experienced coaches, this will accelerate their development. I still watch other riders, coaches and trainers, whether this is online or live. I also have some colleagues with whom I have coaching discussions and we are open to exchanging ideas.”

EA asked if there was any advice for students considering a career with horses and David said, “find yourself a coach/mentor who has been there, and done that!  Study the Equestrian Australia information for coaches and then, be prepared to work hard.  Good luck, the journey is sure to be fun!”

At the end of this discussion David Finch expressed his thanks to Equestrian Australia and his state’s administration for the support for coaches and the rider’s coming through as horse owners, competitors or would-be coaches.  He added, “In most sporting codes competitions are not stand-alone, they need the back-up, advice and support of the sport’s peak body.” 

David concluded saying “I thank Equestrian Australia for this award, it is much appreciated and I hope that my story will inspire the decisions of keen young riders who are aiming to carve out a career with horses.”