EQUITANA Asia Pacific - The Way Of The Horse

Dan James - 2008 Champion of Australian Horsemanship!

Young Queenslander, Dan James, achieved most with his chosen unbroken horse after two days of work and was named 2008 Champion of Australian Horsemanship.

About the contest
The Way of the Horse competition was introduced into the EQUITANA's programme in 2005. It proved to be a highly successful and fascinating competition. In 2008 The Way of the Horse will return with a whole new format. Three new contestants will demonstrate their methods of connecting with an unbroken horse over two days.

This challenge is nothing short of the ultimate display of the ability of a trainer to interact with an unstarted horse on a level the average person can only imagine. Each trainer will select a young unbroken horse and demonstrate the unique method they use to make a connection enabling trust, respect and amazing progress in what the horse is prepared to do for its trainer.

Dan James
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. 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. 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”. 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. He has also sought to improve his techniques and horsemanship working with Heath Harris of Harris Entertainment learning alternative methods and training techniques. Dan is now working at El Caballo Resort.

Warwick McLean
Warwick McLean is the senior resident rider at the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre (AEBC). He specialises in foundation training and behaviour modification of problem horses. All his work, both in-hand and under-saddle, produces relaxed and obedient horses. In 2000, Warwick was contracted to assist with the breaking-in of 20 thoroughbred two-year-olds for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Warwick spent four months in Europe last year, receiving tuition from Finnish trainer Kyra Kyrklund. In exchange, he broke-in Kyra’s young two- to three-year-old stock with typically positive results. He also returned in 2007 to continue training with Kyra’s young horses. In Denmark, Warwick broke-in and trained many horses at the Søborggård Heste Center in Seeland and also spent time with Susan Kjægaärd in Jutland. Susan is ranked in the top 100 in showjumping and has reported amazing success with young horses since Warwick’s visit.

Shane Ransley
Shane’s passion for horses was sparked later in life when he realized that he had a natural talent for seeing patterns in the behaviour of horses. From wild bush horses to Brumbies, from horses with serious riding issues to a straight up first ride, Shane has started or restarted them all with one consistent outcome…..a calm, confident horse, willing to continue his career as a ridden partner of man. Seeing the need to create a learnable horsemanship program, led Shane and his wife Meredith to develop Quantum Savvy - a programme that is achievable, repeatable, accessible and easy to learn. Shane believes that all horse owners can and should have access to quality horsemanship to help them live their dreams with horses.

The 2008 Horsemanship Challenge is not to be missed by any horse lover as we watch and learn from these masters of Horsemanship!