A showjumping legend: John Fahey’s journey in the world of showjumping began at the tender age of three, riding at the Wingham Show in New South Wales. Little did anyone know that this young boy would grow to become one of Australia’s most celebrated equestrians. 

Born and raised on the Mid North Coast of NSW, John was shaped by the love and support of his parents, Joyce and Tom, along with his sister, Bev. Despite facing numerous hardships, their resilience laid the foundation for John’s future in the sport. The Fahey family soon began traveling to Royal Shows across Australia, setting the stage for John’s successful career in showjumping.

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John’s personal life intertwined beautifully with his professional journey when he married Monica Baker, who was the groom for the legendary English rider David Broome. With a lavishly outfitted semi-trailer sponsored by Tony Barlow Men’s Wear, John and Monica made a striking impression on the showjumping circuit, with Monica’s impeccable management of their team while raising their two sons, Nick and Tim both of whom pursued their own riding ambitions.

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John’s showjumping career features notable achievements such as two Olympic appearances in 1964 and 1968.

At the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, John made history by jumping off for Bronze on his beloved horse, Bonvale, ultimately finishing fourth—an achievement that remains unmatched by any Australian rider to date.

The challenges John faced throughout his career are candidly shared in his autobiography co-authored with Joy Ringrose, titled “The Master: The John Fahey Story.” This compelling narrative showcases an extraordinary life filled with triumphs, challenges, and unforgettable experiences. For instance, during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, a bureaucratic blunder regarding his saddlecloth led to a distraction that cost him a shot at the silver medal. He also recounts the frustration of being told that his beloved horse Bonvale had been returned to Australia after the Olympics but was left unattended and injured in a paddock, highlighting the struggles he endured behind the scenes.

Above: The team that represented Australia in Tokyo in 1964. Bud Macintyre (Hyem), Barry Roycroft, Kevin Bacon and John Fahey. John was to finish 4th. This is still the best Olympic effort by any Australian showjumper.

Above: L to R: Kevin Bacon, Barry Roycroft, Karl Jurenak (kneeling), John Fahey and Bud Macintyre (Hyem).

Above: The showjumping team for Mexico Olympics 1964 (l to r) John Fahey, Sam Campbell and Kevin Bacon.

John’s story is enriched by the many horses that contributed to his success, including Red Rocket, Red Cedar and Sorrento.

Sorrento, in particular, distinguished himself by competing in over 100 World Cup Qualifiers, earning him an FEI award for his exceptional record and winning an incredible 19 World Cup qualifiers between 1986 and 1996. John himself competed in 188 World Cup qualifiers, winning 25 of them.

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John triumphed in the Pacific World Cup League three times (all on Sorrento in 1992, 1994 and 1996) and claimed the Australian Showjumping Championship title five times in 1964 with Bonvale, 1972 with Warwick, 1978 with The Fall, 1979 with Red Rocket and in 1993 with Sorrento.

John’s contributions to the sport have not gone unnoticed; in 2000, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal, and he was inducted into the Equestrian Australia Hall of Fame in 2016, solidifying his status as a true legend of the sport.

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These days, John is often seen out and about at various shows in Queensland and below is pictured a few years ago with Clem Smith at Gympie Show. Always on the sidelines and telling yarns of the ‘good old days’! Thank you for everything you do for the sport John, it is wonderful to see how you still support the sport you love so much.

Before the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021, 57 years after John competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and Martin Gostelow for Australian Jumping caught up with John for a heart warming chat which you can watch below: