In 1992 Suzie Fletcher, of England, came to New Zealand on a work experience trip and stayed with the Gore saddler and his family for six weeks.
A story about her made the front page of The Ensign.
In the story Fletcher said she hoped to be able to pay back the McDougall family for their hospitality if they should ever be in England.
Fletcher was 30 years old at the time and a qualified master saddler.
Nowadays she is part of the heirloom restoring team of television show The Repair Shop.
Mr McDougall said when he and his partner Julia Evans planned a trip to England, Ms Evans emailed a friend who was able to put them in touch with Fletcher.
Plans were made for the trio to meet up at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire which was Sir Winston Churchill’s home.
The meeting lasted about 90 minutes and it was like the pair had just seen each other last week, Mr McDougall said.
"She’s an easy sort of person to get along with."
She had not changed much, he said.
"She’s just a little bit greyer."
While he did write to Fletcher when she was living in the United States, over time the pair had lost contact.
Ms Evans had a copy of Fletcher’s book The Sun Over the Mountains which was signed.
Fletcher was hoping to return to New Zealand one day, he said.
sandy.eggleston.theensign.co.nz
