Dan, 26, was born in Queensland, Australia, where his parents managed small cattle property’s. Dan first sat on a horse at 6 weeks old, which was to begin a lifelong passion of horses. Dan’s first few riding years were to be spent on the milking goat, it wasn’t until he was 10, that Dan had his first pony. Dan’s parents were always encouraging and supporting him, but it was the great work ethic that they instilled that has really payed off. First inspired by horsemen, Damien Curr, Dan went on to spend some yrs in pony club. He later continued through the EFA where he competed in eventing and showjumping to state and national level, under the guidance of Ted Sullivan (Dan’s uncle) and Corey Keable.
At 14 while the family were living in central Qld, Dan spent 4 weeks working with a breaker from up north( Lachlan Mace )where He broke his first horse in. Although some method’s have changed, the advise that Lachlan gave still applies, “love what you do, be determined, and patient”.
Longreach Pastoral College gave Dan great direction towards horsemanship; John Arnold always encouraged students to know all they could about horses, as just being a trainer didn’t make you a horseman. Following college, Dan’s skills were further refined while spending three months in Hokkaido Japan breaking in for central farm horse stud and later spending time with world renowned cutting horse trainer Punk Carter. Punk was based in Celina, Texas US, and gave Dan the opportunity to break in and compete horses in yet another part of the world.
In 2003 Dan moved to a million acre cattle property, Liveringa station, just East of Broome WA. A place he would call home for the following 5 years. At the station, Dan’s highest priority was the horses. He was responsible for the care and maintenance; everything from breeding, shoeing, teeth and breaking in for up to 200 head of horses.
It was at the station that Dan really developed a mateship with Outback Arafura, a QH stallion and Amelia, a Aus stock horse mare. The show’s, live entertainment and clinics that Dan now conducts, all started as a bit of fun at the station, after guests were entertained by his amazing horsemanship skills. His entertainment value was recognised with Dan performing in “Spirit of the Horse” at Burwood dome in later 2007.
In early 2008 Dan brought the shows he was conducting at the station to EL Caballo Perth, home of the Spanish walking horses. It was here he conducted shows and worked with Spanish horse trainers Jose’ and Manolo Mendeze. Dan was involved in many shows, entertaining a wide erray of audiences, conducting clinics and breaking in horses. The highlight of his career so far winning “The Way of the Horse 2008”, at Equitana Asia Pacific where his horsemanship and breaking skills were recognised as world class.
Currently Dan is based on the East coast, with partner Krysten, while working and training with movie horse trainer Heath Harris at his property in Mt White. Dan will be appearing at shows around the country and conducting clinics, with good mate and trainer Dan Steers throughout 2009.
Looking forward, Dan’s aim is to continue to push the limits of horsemanship and entertainment, to provide both knowledge and understanding along with excitement with our great equine mates.
For the love of horses
Dan James
