EQUITANA Asia Pacific

Dan James had his first ride on a horse at 6 weeks of age. Little did he know that 25 years later this passion would continue to develop alongside his natural gift of horsemanship.

Dan grew up in Queensland on small cattle properties managed by his parents, allowing him the opportunity to ride and build his relationship with horses from a young age. The horses owned by his parents were working horses and as such his first few rides by himself were astride the trusty milking goat until he received his first pony at the age of 10. Dan’s parents encouraged him in his riding endeavours through pony club and EFA disciplines where he competed in Eventing and Showjumping at both State and National level under the coaching and guidance of Corey Kebal and his uncle Ted Sullivan.

Damien Curr was the first horseman Dan witnessed having an amazing relationship with horses, and he knew even then that he wanted to be able to communicate with horses in that way. At the age of 14 years, Dan broke in his first horse and although some of his methods have changed since then, the solid advice given to Dan at the time still applies now, “ be determined, love what you do and be patient”. Whilst studying at Longreach Pastoral College under the guidance of John Arnold, Dan was encouraged to know all he could about horses as “just being trainer did not make you a horseman”. Since then Dan has furthered his experiences both locally and abroad spending 3 months in Hokkaido Japan breaking and training for Central Farm Horse Stud preparing thoroughbreds for sale and an additional 3 months in Celina Texas with Punk Carter, a successful cutting horse trainer.

In 2003 Dan moved to Liveringa Station, a million acre cattle property 260km east of Broome on the Fitzroy River in the Kimberleys WA. Dan was responsible for the care and maintenance of up to 200 horses. His role included breeding management, shoeing, dentistry and breaking in. Whilst working at Liveringa, Dan began to develop a mateship with 2 special horses; a Quarter Horse stallion Outback Arafura and an Australian Stock Horse mare Amelia. Dan would demonstrate his horsemanship skills with his two equine mates to entertain guests visiting the station. In 2007, Dan was offered the opportunity to take his demonstration to a wider audience including the Spirit of the Horse held at Burswood Dome in Perth, the Perth Royal Show and Equirama held in Margaret River WA in addition to a number of other performances and clinics across country WA. He has also sought to improve his techniques and horsemanship working with Heath Harris of Harris Entertainment learning alternative methods and training techniques.

Now in 2008, Dan is continuing to push the limits of Australian horsemanship and entertainment with his own and client horses, always striving towards a better knowledge and understanding of our great equine mates.