Horse & Rider
ZARA MCDONALD – RISING STAR OF NEW ZEALAND EVENTING
Zara is our youngest Hippo Sponsored Rider at just 15 years old. She is currently living and competing in New Zealand and while she is relatively new on the circuit she has already bagged some incredible achievements! In the interview below she tells us all about her team of horses and what her focus for the coming year will be.
Tell us about your horse.
“I currently have a team of 2 horses. Stirling Falls (Bentley) - he is an 8-year-old 16.1hh black gelding who is learning to love his job as an upcoming horse on the eventing circuit. My other mount Day Walker (Dave) is a 17-year-old 16.1hh bay gelding. He is an experienced eventer who adores his job and will help me gain confidence at the upper levels.”
What’s your favourite discipline to compete in and why?
“My passion is most definitely eventing because of the versatility the horses and riders need to have in order to do well. There is skill needed to be elegant and accurate around a dressage test, organised and collected in the show jumping ring while also having to be bold, brave and fast while tackling the cross country course.”
What achievement in your riding career are you most proud of?
“My proudest achievement in my riding career to date would have to be winning the MT Class at the NZPCA eventing championships 2023 on Ngahiwi Makem and winning the NZ National 3 Day Event Championships open 95 class 2024 on Stirling Falls.”
Which Hippo Health remedies do you use/love the most?
“My favourite Hippo Health remedies for the horses are Chilled Out Horse and Performance Plus to ensure they stay calm while competing while also maintaining peak performance through each phase.
My favourite Hippo Health remedy for me as a rider would have to be the Calm Rider to ensure that I stay cool, calm and collected while competing so that I can give the horses the best ride possible and not have to think about being nervous.”
What’s next for you?
“The autumn season has just started and I am bringing Bentley back up to CCN95 once fit enough and then step him up to CCN105 in the Spring. With Dave, my goal is to establish a solid partnership and really get to know each other. He will teach me a great deal as we move up the levels together and I’m excited to see where our journey will take us."
How old were you when you started riding?
“I first started riding at the age of 8 on an RDA pony who is now 37 years old! We have a farm based in Waimauku, Auckland where I am lucky enough to have amazing training facilities & the support of my family.”
What is your kryptonite?
“My biggest challenge as a rider would most definitely be my nerves before I compete so that's where the Calm Rider remedy comes in handy.”
Follow Zara on Facebook and Instagram.
Read about other Hippo Sponsored Riders
- Hope Taylor Beerling – Working and Competing in the USA
- Carys McCrory – A Passion For Cross Country
- Lucy Cochrane – Head Competition Rider & Competing in Australia
- Cindy Wiffin - Competition Dressage Rider & Judge
- Taylor des Barres Williams – Barrel Racer Extraordinaire
- Hannah Steens- Show Jumper & Hunter
- Annie Baird – Show Hunter Champ / Up & Coming Show Jumper
Also in Sponsored Riders
LUCY COCHRANE – HEAD COMPETITION RIDER & COMPETING IN AUSTRALIA
Living the dream, New Zealander Lucy Cochrane is the head rider for internationally acclaimed Keystone dressage in Victoria, Australia. Her amazing talents have seen her win the National u25 Champion three years in a row.
