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Friday, August 10 2012 / Published in Weekly Feature

G’Day Mate — Down Under’s Double Dan Horsemanship

By Abby Westmark

Australian horseman Dan James.
Photos by Laura W. Donnell of Laura Whitney Photography

The lovely country of Australia has undeniably given us many wonderful things – the Sydney Opera House, the boomerang and the ever-gorgeous movie star Hugh Jackman. But it has much more to boast than just sand, sun, waves and fabulous accents; the land down under is also the home of Double Dan Horsemanship, the new sensation in natural horsemanship that is taking the world by storm.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Dan James, one of the two namesakes of Double Dan. He and his business partner Dan Steers joined their formidable forces under the Double Dan banner in 2008 at the El Caballo Spanish Horse Center in Wooroloo, Western Australia, conducting daring bareback demonstrations to entertain the guests on the ranch, or, as James calls it, “the station.”

Although they started out as entertainment, taking their performing horses on the road all across Australia (and even to the TV show Australia’s Got Talent,) Dan and Dan are all about the horsemanship. “We want to make the public aware of the possibilities with horses,” said James.

And it’s no wonder, considering his start in the equestrian world. Dan’s first time in the saddle was at the ripe old age of 6 weeks, on his parents’ small cattle farm in Queensland, Australia. When he was 10, he got his first pony, but he already had many years of experience under his belt – riding the family’s milk goat! “I’ve always had a belief, a dream, seeing myself having a life that revolved around horses,” James said.

Dan and his horse during a photo shoot for Sidelines Magazine at the Kentucky Horse Park

Due to their success in Australia, Double Dan has decided to expand stateside. James now lives in Lexington, Kentucky, where he is based out of Taylor Made Farm, a prominent thoroughbred breeding facility in Lexington. “There are lots of people here, big freeways,” said James, when asked how he feels about America. “It’s a very different lifestyle.”

“We love being across here,” continued James, referring to Lexington. “Everywhere you go is about the horse.” Dan Steers, who is currently still in Australia, will be joining James in the states for a number of clinics and events and will eventually be making the jump to living in America along with his wife, veterinarian Pia Steers. But this doesn’t mean that Dan and Dan will forget their roots down under.

“We have a responsibility to Australia. They’ve made such a big impact on helping us get where we’re at,” said James. “We’ve never had a small dream [about Double Dan.]” Double Dan was even invited to perform as part of the opening ceremonies for the World Equestrian Games 2010 and was one of the featured clinicians there.

Dan and Dan will be doing a number of clinics and events throughout the rest of the year and Sidelines highly encourages their readers to stop by and see Dan and Dan in action (Hugh Jackman’s got nothing on them in the looks department!) You might even get the chance to talk to them and if you’re lucky, the conversation might even end with a charming “G’day, mate!”

About the writer: Sidelines staff writer Abby Westmark grew up in Wellington, Florida where she rode and competed everything from ponies to jumpers. She is a college sophomore still trying to figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life.

 

Dan makes up half the team of Double Dan Horsemanship

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: Dan James, Dan Steers, Double Dan Horsemanship, kentucky horse park, natural horsemanship, Taylor Made Farm

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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
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