TRIBUTE TO MARY MCFARLANE
Tributes have been pouring in for popular Scottish rider and trainer Mary
McFarlane who died on Sunday 1st September after a long battle with cancer.
An accomplished rider in the field of both eventing and dressage she competed
successfully at top level despite being plagued by bouts of ill health.
Her strength of character, attention to detail and enormous determination set
the standards for all her contemporaries.
Mary led by example and achieved enviable success including riding at
Badminton. Mary eclipsed all with her professionalism taking many different and
sometimes difficult horses on to do quite extraordinary things.
She was an insightful and gifted trainer particularly influential in her teaching of
young riders. Under her mentorship Ibby McPherson (on Mary’s horse
McCallan) twice represented the British junior Event team and Carmen Gammie
on the fabulous Welsh pony Champagne Bubbles have regularly represented
their country in International dressage. Her input into the training of her
husband Jock’s driving horses helped him towards three nationals
championships and selection for the British Singles driving team in 2012.
The work ethic, sense of commitment and professionalism that Mary instilled in
her pupils gave them the best possible grounding for any future career and in
recognition she was awarded the British Horse Society Trainer Of The Year in
2011.
It is however her kindness, generosity of spirit and the huge respect that she
commanded within the equestrian world that she will be remembered.
left - Mary at Badminton with McCloud