News just in….. the Australian Team of have won this huge international horse event. It was held 9 – 11 March in Murfreesboro, TN, USA. Congratulations!.
What is Road to the Horse?
Guy McLean and Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship took out the winners spot in the first International Road to the Horse beating out Pat Parelli and Craig Cameron for the US team and Jonathon Field and Glen Stewart for the Canadian Team showing the world that when it comes to Horsemanship our Aussie Guys can't be beat!!!!!!!!! To learn how to work with a horse like these champions go to http://www.doubledanhorsemanship.com.au/ and buy their Ground Control Explained dvd and sign up to be a club member. Other DVD's and equipment also available as well as signing up for clinics with the Double Dan Team!
Road to the Horse is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines education and entertainment for an all out horsemanship experience.
The competition has in the past taken three internationally known, elite horse trainers and clinicians and puts them up against each other for the esteemed title of Road to the Horse Champion. These competitors choose a horse out of the remuda, a group of 10 horses, and they begin building a relationship between horse and human.
Unlike a horse show, these competitors are judged not only on a final test of skill, but the means to the end result. The goal of Road to the Horse is to teach horsemen and women that natural horsemanship is a kinder, gentler way of working with horses.
 | |
| Guy Mclean & Dan James |
Guy Mclean
 |
| Guy Mclean |
Guy McLean was born in, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 1975, the youngest of five strapping boys in an inner city suburb, thousands of miles from where and who he is today. Guy often jokes that if his family stayed in Melbourne that he would have been a very ordinary footballer and he is forever thankful that as a one year old his family packed up all their belongings to start a brand new life in the country. They moved to Hervey Bay, Queensland, where they purchased a 1600 acre property and over the next two years formed 'Susan River Homestead' Holiday Ranch resort. Guy's parents wanted a life for their young family away from the city streets, with countless opportunities to prosper and grow and it was here on the banks of the lazy Susan River that Guy was sat on his first horse as a 16 month old.
Guy can never recollect a day that horses weren't a huge part of his life and it was on the back of a pretty chestnut mare called Sunny that this young boy felt most at home. By the time Guy was four he would ride Sunny alone on the rides with the guests and often fall asleep on the last mile home and that special little mare would carry him safely all the way to the yards.
Right through to his teenage years the only subject that would cause Guy to say anymore than a few sentences was horses and for as long as he can remember, when other kids spoke of being policeman or fireman when they grew up, Guy only ever wanted to be a Horseman. From the time he was fifteen until he was twenty four Guy took over the trail riding duties at the Homestead and was in charge of fifty guest horses and their training, as well as taking on outside horses to educate for the public. By the time he decided to leave home and start his own Horse training business, Guy had already met one of his finest teachers and most remarkable students, a Golden Dun colt he named Nugget who he bought for 200 dollars out of a bush paddock an hour from home. Nugget was the honest and willing pupil for any of Guy's new idea's and by the tender age of four, Nugget was so proficient at his work that he never performed in a bridle and saddle for the next 12 years, at total liberty and at one with everything he was asked, a truly special stallion and until this day, Guy's best mate.
 |
| Guy McLean |
Guy's performances, the same as his horsemanship methods have all been self taught, right since the very first time he can remember his father has always said "As long as you and your ponies are safe, you can do whatever you like" with a "Keep your Hands down" or " Give that pony a rest" thrown in every now and then. Guy believes that it was this somewhat free rein that allowed him to evolve into the Horseman and Entertainer he is today, for although he has always shown an interest in all of the disciplines and performers that he has witnessed, it has ultimately been the countless hours spent in the presence of a horse or in front of a crowd that has moulded him and as his life motto reads "Finding a Better Way" he is always open to something that might improve what he already has whilst always staying true to what has always worked.
Guy truly believes that the best tools in horsemanship are 'Knowledge, Compassion, Patience and Imagination" and in using these, many a fine partnership has been formed. Since 1999, Guy and his equine team (led by Nugget for 12 years) performed all over Australia at every Major Equine event or agricultural show. In 2002 and 2006 Guy received the great honour of being named an official 'Ambassador of the Outback' and through his performances of Horsemanship, Bush poetry and whip cracking he has helped to keep the traditions of the bush and the true Aussie Stockman, alive. In 2005 Guy was the inaugural winner of 'Equitana's', 'Way of the Horse' young horse starting competition and it was the methods he learnt in the Queensland bush under the watchful eye of many a young horse that brought him victory.
Guy and his horse's have achieved national acclaim in Australia over the past 15 years and his talented horses (especially Nugget) have had their names chanted in front of 20 000 people at Royal shows such as Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide shows, as well as Guy's favourite, The Brisbane Ekka, where for the last nine years Guy and his team have performed in front of well over a million people. Guy has been acclaimed by his fans and Australian dignitaries alike as a National treasure and Living Legend and although this humble Australian still blushes at such remarks, it is the kind words and stories of inspiration that Guy evokes that keeps him in the frame of mind to succeed and continue to spread his message.
So it is now that the next stage of the Life of Guy McLean begins as he and four of his own Australian bred 'Quietway Performance horses' (of which three are Nuggets babies) have expanded to the international stage. At the moment they are based in Texas USA and will follow their dreams to perform worldwide. Right from a child, Guy has always been a dreamer and it is true what they say, that if you wish hard enough and stick to your guns, dreams can and will come true.
Dan James
 |
| Dan James |
Born 1982 in rural Qld Australia – Dan sat on his first horse when he was only 6wks old – beginning a lifelong passion for horses. Dans first few riding years were to be spent riding the family milking goat – and it wasn't until he turned 10yrs old his parents bought him his first pony.
From pony club to eventing and show jumping - Dan competed successfully at state and national levels. At the age of 14 Dan broke in his first horse – commencing his journey to understanding and developing his unique horsemanship techniques.
Dan completed his studies at Longreach Pastoral College then travelled to Hokkaido Japan where he spent 3 months breaking in horses for Central Farm Horse Stud. He then travelled to the USA and his skills were further refined while spending time with renowned cutting horse trainer Punk Carter in Celina, Texas USA.
Returning to Australia – in 2003 Dan then travelled to a million acre cattle property -Liveringa Station in the north of Western Australia where he managed the Horse Plant – coordinating everything from breeding, shoeing, teeth and breaking in for up to 200 head of horses. It was here he called home for the following 6 years. It is also here at Liveringa he formed the unique mateship with "Outback Afafura" (aka Ari) his QH stallion who he regularly performs with and "Amelia" his Australian Stock Horse mare. The shows, live entertainment and clinics that Dan now conducts all stem from a bit of fun entertaining guests at the station.
 |
| Dan James |
In 2008 Dan made his way south to take his horsemanship and showmanship skills and find audience. He spent some time At El Caballo Spanish Horse stables working with trainers Jose and Manolo Mendeze. Dan was involved in the weekly shows as well as breaking and training the horses here. It is here that Dan also teamed up with good friend Dan Steers and "Double Dan Horsemanship" was born.
2008 – The highlight of his career so far – Dan won "The Way of The Horse" competition at Equitana Asia Pacific – where his horsemanship and breaking skills were recognized as world class.
2010 was another highlight when Double Dan Horsemanship performed a Roman Riding act with 2 Frisians and a Liberty act in the opening ceremony of the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky USA in front of a worldwide crowd – Double Dan Horsemanship (Aka Dan James & Dan Steers) were also clinicians at the games demonstrating their amazing relationship with their horses and what can be achieved with the right techniques, time and patience.
2011 saw Double Dan Horsemanship performing on nationwide Australian TV – when they successfully competed in the preliminary rounds of Australia's Got Talent, once again wowing their Australian audience with their amazing horsemanship performance.
Dan James is now currently based in Lexington, Kentucky with Taylor Made Thoroughbreds and is expanding Double Dan Horsemanship whilst Dan Steers maintains the Australian based training facility in NSW Australia. 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 more information on Dan James, visit http://doubledanhorsemanship.com.au/
 |
| Guy Mclean & Dan James |
*For further information on the Road to the Horse 2012 see the website http://www.roadtothehorse.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment