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Thursday, March 29 2012 / Published in Weekly Feature

Not Just Jousting

Full Metal Jousting’s James Fairclough II

If you notice James Fairclough II walking around the show grounds at the Winter Equestrian Festival, or near his barn in the Hamptons, don’t be deceived by his gentle appearance.  If there’s one thing that lies underneath James’s schoolboy good looks and slight frame is that fact that he is tough!  If you see him schooling his students in the show ring and he seems like a nice guy – he really is a nice guy — but don’t forget that he is also tough!

So tough, in fact, that James beat out riders from all over the country to be part of the History® Channel’s reality show “Full Metal Jousting.” According to the History® Channel, the show featured 16 of the toughest warriors in the country facing off in bone-crushing competition in a 10 part series of full-contact jousts with competitors going head-to-head on horseback in brutal tests of strength, endurance and courage with the last man standing taking home $100,000.  While that sentence may be a mouthful – actually it is, uh, tough to say — it also seems obvious that only guys with nerves of steel could compete in something described as “bone-crushing,” “brutal” and “full-contact.”  While he may have nerves of steel, he also has excellent equitation and James made the equestrian world smile when his coaches on the reality show described him as the best rider of all the jousters.  (Check out James’s jumping photo to see what they were talking about!)

If you happened to catch the first few episodes of “Full Metal Jousting” and saw clips of James covered in blood, you may have paused and thought, “That man is a little crazy, too!”  Sidelines caught up with James after the show had finished taping to find out what it was like to revive the world’s original extreme sport.  At this point we don’t know how James fared on the reality show, the only thing we know for certain is that he spoke to us, so we assume he came out of the competition alive!

James shows off his excellent equitation that received high praise from the jousting coaches on “Full Metal Jousting” Photo by Sportfot

Sidelines:  How did you become a contestant on “Full Metal Jousting?”

JF:  A couple of my friends found the casting call on the Chronicle of the Horse forum and persuaded me to send in an audition video.  From there I went to Los Angeles, along with 100 other finalists, for a one-on-one interview.  Out of the 100 finalists they took the top 50 for tryouts in Mississippi.  From the guys who survived that, the host of the show, Shane Adams, picked the top 16 riders.

 

Sidelines:  When you were taping the show did you ever stop and think, “Wow, I’m crazy for doing this!”

JF:  The first time that crossed my mind was going down the list to the assistant coaches holding a baseball bat.  Yeah, that was the first time it crossed my mind; but unfortunately with 16 other guys in the competition and millions of viewers you don’t really take the time to second guess that.

 

Sidelines:  We hear so much about reality shows and how they are staged.  Was the jousting on the show choreographed?

JF:  Everything was entirely un-choreographed.  The History® Channel described it as, “100% authentic, with a twist:  traditional armor was replaced with modern suits weighing 80 pounds and 11 foot long solid fir lances were used as weapons.”

 

Sidelines:  What did you like about the show?

JF:  As a brand new show for the History® Channel, it was different than other shows that have tried to portray something similar.  I really like the way they created this show, the blows were shown in slow motion and it wasn’t choreographed.

 

Sidelines:  How were your cast mates on the show?

JF:  The other horsemen from “Full Metal Jousting” were all talented in their own disciplines and it was interesting to get the perspective from a steer wrestler, a bull rider, bronc rider, three-day eventer and a theatrical jouster.  The guys I had the strongest connection with were the ones with western backgrounds.  They all were very humble, respectful, had great personalities and they were wonderful horsemen all around.

 

Sidelines:  Now that you are finished with the reality show, what are your goals for your new farm, Cavalier Show Jumping?

JF:  Since the business is starting from the ground up, I am involved in all areas of operations.  It is a lot of work opening a new stable; but it has been a huge milestone in my life and something that I really love to do. I’m extremely lucky to have such a nice stable in an exclusive location like the Hamptons.  We have 28 stalls, two grass rings, one all-weather sand arena and indoor.  The idea for Cavalier Show Jumping is definitely something that fit into the puzzle of my life.  I have great riders, wonderful families who support them and we are all continuing to grow together as the business expands.  Currently I’m training Kira Kerkorian and Brooke Banks and both have two very promising young horses.  I’m really looking forward to seeing how these young horses can develop with the girls over the coming months.  

 

Sidelines:  What are your passions in the horse world?

JF:  I have found that one of my passions is developing young horses.  I like seeing improvement and having pride in the final product.  Every break through you have, you feel like you have accomplished something. It is the same passion I have when I train my students; I get the same sense of pride when I see the accomplishments of Kira and Brooke.

 

Sidelines:  You were on the History® Channel; but you also have an impressive family history in the horse world.  What is your family’s horse legacy?

JF:  Both sides of my family have been involved in the horse industry in some way.  My grandfather, Dr. Rost, was a well known course designer and judge.  His wife, Joan Rost, was a national champion western rider. My grandfather, John Fairclough, was the first Four-In-Hand Combined Driving National Champion in America.  My mother, Robin Fairclough, was a well known junior rider, winning medal finals and making a name for herself in the jumpers and equitation.  My father is a professional Four-In-Hand driver and has represented the United States in every World Equestrian Games since 1980.

 

Sidelines:  What has been the highlight of your career so far?

JF:  It would definitely be riding for Frank and Mary Chapot.  They gave me tremendous opportunities to ride fun, competitive horses.  Out of all of the professionals I have ridden for, they gave me the most exposure in the show ring and for that I’m grateful.

 

Sidelines:  What do you like to do when you aren’t training, teaching or jousting?

JF:  I really enjoy going to the shooting range, it’s the best way to relieve stress.  I am a pretty down to earth person.  I just try to enjoy life, try new things and always make the best of everything.

Jousting is definitely not a sport for the faint at heart. “The other horsemen from “Full Metal Jousting” were all talented in their own disciplines,” said James

-by Jan Westmark-Allan

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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)
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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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