Photo 140x140

Clarke JOHNSTONE

Clarke JOHNSTONE, New Zealander Eventing athlete.

Name Clarke JOHNSTONE
FEI ID 10012048
Gender Male
Date of Birth 26/04/1987
Competing for New Zealand - NZL
Registrations Eventing 2025
Jumping 2025
Last update 29/07/2024
FEI Database





Eventing 70x70 Jumping 70x70
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport? He grew up on a farm and first tried riding at age 12. He decided to become a full-time eventing rider after completing his university degree.
Why this sport? His younger sister liked horse riding so he decided to try it too. "I had a go and I just loved it straight away. I was hooked."
Club / Team Clarke Johnstone Eventing: New Zealand
Further Personal Information
Family Clarke's long-time partner, Codey Jervis, passed away at the end of 2023. (odt.co.nz, 03 Jul 2024)
Residence Cirencester [UK], Matangi [NZ] (Instagram)
Occupation Athlete, Business Owner, Coach, Director, Horse Trainer
Languages English
Higher education Finance - University of Otago: Dunedin, NZL
General Interest
Most influential person in career New Zealand event rider Vaughn Jefferis, New Zealand dressage rider Vanessa Way, horse trainer Jo Osborne, and his parents. (clarkejohnstone.com, 19 Feb 2014)
Hero / Idol New Zealand eventer Mark Todd, German eventer Michael Jung. (horseandponymag.com, 04 May 2016)
Injuries He broke his leg and his shoulder after a fall in 2016. He was out of action for three to four months. (NZ Olympics YouTube channel, 04 Aug 2019; stuff.co.nz, 16 Nov 2016)
Sporting philosophy / motto "Spending a lot of time with your horse is essential. You have to form a partnership and a really close bond with them." (olympic.org.nz, 13 Mar 2016)
Awards and honours He received the 2013 New Zealand Eventer of the Year award at the NRM Horse of the Year Show. (equinetrader.co.nz, 21 Apr 2014) He was named the 2007 Sportsman of the Year at Otago University in New Zealand. (uberhorse.co.nz, 06 Aug 2010)
Other sports He also competes in jumping competitions. He took part in numerous events at Vejer de la Frontera [ESP] in 2024.
Other information STABLES He coaches riders and trains and trades horses for eventing at his stables in Waikato, New Zealand. (Facebook page, 05 Jan 2023; fei.org, 24 Aug 2022; clarkejohnstone.com, 04 Aug 2019) TRAINING MOVE In May 2011 he moved to England in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, basing himself at the yard of New Zealand eventer Mark Todd in Wiltshire. He went back to New Zealand in 2014 following a series of injuries to his horses. He was also based in the UK ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games. In 2024 he was splitting his time between New Zealand and the UK. (stuff.co.nz, 16 Nov 2016; horsetalk.co.nz, 29 Jun 2016; equinetrader.co.nz, 21 Apr 2014; clarkejohnstoneeventing.wordpress.com, 29 Nov 2012)
General highlights He won Eventing Team bronze medals at the FEI World Championship in 2010 and 2022. He was selected by NZ to appear at the 2016 and 2024 Olympic Games.