A lifetime love of horses

Press, 28 February 1986, Page 25

A lifetime love of horses

Mr Neil Macfarlane is the president for the Amuri Agricultural and Pastoral Association seventieth show at Rotherham tomorrow...

A ' w ; third-generation president, Mr Macfarlane has been associated with the. show for nearly all his life. He began competing in the shows by riding in the pony classes, and horses are still one of his interests. Polo became a main sporting interest, which he found “tremendous fun.” He was one of the enthusiasts who helped to revive polo in Amuri in 1963 and he is a past president of the South Island Polo Association and a member of the New Zealand management committee.

Mr Macfarlane regularly uses horses for stock work on his 1500 ha mainly hill tussock Ngawiro property at Rotherham.

A past president of the

Amuri Federated, Farmers, Mr Macfarlane is also a steward of the Amberley Racing Club and a committee member of the Canterbury A. and P. Association.

Previously Mr Macfarlane farmed in partnership with his brother, Duncan, on a farm next to the family property. Mr Macfarlane bought the homestead block from his father, Mr A. A. Macfarlane, when he retired from farming. Mrs Angela Macfarlane comes from a strong rural background also. Her father, the late J. C. Denham was a president of the Hawarden A. and P. Association. She competed in horse competitions until about 10 years ago, when she retired to the garden and now she exhibits her garden produce instead.

Mrs Macfarlane enjoyed riding with the Brackenfield Hunt. She is a past president of the Waiau branch of the

Plunket Society, the Culverden Red Cross, and the Leslie Hills-Amuri Garden Club. The Macfarlanes have two children, Frank, who is getting work experience on a high country farm after two years at Lincoln College where he was a fourth generation member of the family to attend, and Fiona, who is taking a break from university studies to tour. The show was the shop window of the district, which also brought all sections of the community together in organising the day, said Mr Macfarlane. The grounds were looking immaculate after the recent rains, and with the working bees by the committee they could be at their best for several years.