52 SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
James, center, with Darragh Kerrins, left, and Diamond Declan,
is pleased with the success of his Citrus Series.
Photo by Carrie Wirth
James and Casares schooling at home
Photo by Carrie Wirth
explained, “I never said I hope to ride in the Olympics one day, I
just keep trying to get better. As a pro, I had no problem getting
outside help and I think people don’t always think of that, so take
advantage of the talent that’s around you, and work toward your
own personal best.”
After a job in Colorado, then another that divided his time
between Boston and a barn in Wellington, Florida, James had
the opportunity to become head trainer at Ox Ridge Hunt Club in
Darien, Connecticut. “The club wasn’t doing well financially, but
by the time I left after two years, they were in the black and not
having to sell off land to pay their bills,” James remembered. “I felt
that I’d helped them a little bit and, in hindsight, maybe I should
have stayed longer.”
While at Ox Ridge, James used his Florida facility to start the
quarantine business, first with partners, then on his own for the
past three years. From his own experience, James knew about the
United States Department of Agriculture regulations that carefully
regulate the importation of horses into the country. Stallions
and mares must be tested to prove that they aren’t carriers of
Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) and must be quarantined and
go through a testing process to prove that they don’t have the
sexually transmitted disease. Over 60 percent of mares will show
no clinical signs but the disease can affect a mare’s fertility and
cause her to abort a pregnancy. Both stallions and mares can be
carriers and sources for future outbreaks.
James has a reputation for professionalism and safety for
horses and owners. His dedicated, knowledgeable staff is skilled
in the handling of valuable horses. “My facility is not fancy,” he
said. “It’s not a chandelier barn; it’s someplace where you can
train your horse and it’s a safe environment.” James said that
some clients prefer their horses go through his facility, although
their home base is as far away as California.
The quiet atmosphere and good footing in the rings at his stable
is ideal for conditioning horses after their long travels so they’re
ready to show right after their quarantine time. That atmosphere is
also good for bringing along young horses to prepare them for the
show circuit. James emphasized the importance of taking the time
to properly develop a young horse. “It’s kind of a lost art in this
country,” he said. “People aren’t developing horses for a number
of reasons, mostly because they just want to get them on the road
and show them.”
During James’ work with young horses owned by local breeders,
he learned of their frustration for a lack of places to develop their
young horses without going broke, even on the unrated circuit.
Beginning last year, James spearheaded the Citrus Series, a
high-quality one-day horse show series especially for developing
horses and riders needing mileage. The shows are held at the
Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, which has
a covered arena and lighted outdoor ring. There is one show
per month and the summer shows are rated. The cost is very
affordable with entry fees at $25 per class. James says, “We’re
not really making money right now, but the feedback is fantastic.
Everybody that comes to it loves it and I want to continue with it.”
That will be easier now since the Wellington Preservation Coalition
has recently agreed to sponsor the complete series.
Since 2012, James has also been instrumental in putting
on the Southeast Medal Finals at the Jacksonville Equestrian
Center, scheduled for September 18-21 for this year. The show
is patterned after the successful and long-standing New England
Medal Finals created by Mason Phelps. “Many great riders live in
the Southeast and don’t have an event that’s both prestigious and
has easy qualifications,” James said, adding that the Southeast
Medal qualifier classes are sponsored by the Phelps Media
Group and Cedar Street Advisors. “The Southeast Medal Finals
was created with both of these goals in mind,” he said. He was
very excited when officials from the Maclay called before the first
show last year and asked if he wanted to host the regional. “The
representative that came said that this was the best regional
that they’d ever been to, so we’re continuing on with the Maclay
regionals.”
Managing the horse shows while also running a thriving business
is extremely taxing. James recalled a time after last year’s show
at the Jacksonville Equestrian Facility when he was exhausted
and wondering if it was worth it all. “An older adult thanked me
for putting on the show and told me, ‘I always wanted to ride in a
venue like this and you made my dreams come true!’”
The competitor was so sincere and James was so exhausted,
he said it almost brought him to tears, adding, “It’s going to take
us forever to get our initial investment back, but then somebody
comes up like this [and it all seems worth it].”
James strives to continue to give back through the affordable
Citrus Series and teaching lessons to some of his grooms so that
they get to ride and show. He says, “I’m just trying to fill a niche, to
help the industry become more accessible to more people.”
Underneath the competent, professional exterior, it seems that
James is still the young student, eager to do his personal best
while helping other riders reach their dreams.
About the writer: Doris Degner-Foster has competed in horse trials and dressage
and is a charter member of Harvard Fox Hounds. When not working on articles for
Sidelines, she enjoys writing a middle grade mystery series about girls who ride
horses and solve mysteries. She has also written a mainstream murder mystery
involving a horse that mysteriously appears in different people’s lives. Look for her
blog Notes From the Field on the Sidelines website.
