David Finch
National coach educator, former Equestrian Australia Coach of the Year, and five-time Equestrian Queensland Coach of the Year, David is a member of an elite group of Australian Level 3 Accredited Show Jumping coaches. Along with these impressive credentials, he has a track record as a successful competitor at international level, and as an owner and breeder of elite horses.
For David, horses are not so much a part of what he does, they’re at the core of who he is, and they’re at the heart of his renowned Finch Farm brand. He has been breeding international standard performance horses for more than 20 years, several of which are currently competing at elite levels in Australia and overseas. Finch Farm is home to an exciting and innovative world class breeding program designed to strengthen the gene pool and performance ability of the Australian sport horse through a band of carefully selected mares and frozen semen from some of the world’s finest show jumping stallions.
David has competed in Japan, Germany and the United States, and has produced a string of top level horses including World Cup mounts, Campmaster, Boera, Finch Farm Chill, Finch Farm Cadel, Charlemagne Ego Z and Calgary GNZ. His contribution to the equestrian industry was recognised through his induction into the Toowoomba Royal Show Equine Hall of Fame in 2020.
Above: David and World Cup mount Charlemagne Ego Z.
Jade Findlay
Jade and Piks Dancing Queen (Image by Melissa Goodson, Snapshotaustralia).
A full-time 5* eventer and EA coach who has trained and competed horses to the highest level, Jade attributes much of her success to the fantastic early start she had under the guidance of two of the sport’s greats. Growing up in Inner Sydney, her love of horses eventually led her to the UK, where she trained with Christopher Bartle. With her passion for eventing firmly established, she then later trained with Stuart Tinney.
Jade had had some wonderful highs in the sport, and partnered with some remarkable horses. Her strength is working with tricky mares, who she says constantly challenge and teach her. She has had sensational relationships with horses like Lutello, Holstien Park Leilani, Frontier Psychiatrist, Bloomers Twinkletoes, Oaks Cordelia, Wasabi I, and PIKS Dancing Queen.
Alongside her partner Hinnerk Hueppe, Jade runs Hannover Lodge, a highly successful Thoroughbred facility. The couple focus on breaking, pre-training, spelling and sales preparation.
No stranger to nerves, Jade believes that if you don’t put yourself on the edge of your comfort zone from time to time, you never get better at dealing with them. And she has a golden rule she lives by: always surround yourself with the best and the most knowledgeable people you can, and never be too proud to ask for advice.
