James Alliston checks in this month with news about how his new riding school is progressing — Spoiler alert: He’s found plenty of new students to help with barn chores this summer! — as well as what’s next for his Rolex mounts Jumbo’s Jake and Tivoli. As always, many thanks to James for writing. Go West Coast Eventing!
The lesson ponies, from left to right, Nero with James Alliston in the irons and Milton and Daylight with his super groom Tori Speck.
From James:
This summer my focus has been on establishing and growing my new business. As such, I made the tough decision to miss the beautiful event at Rebecca Farms in order to save money and look after the clients at home. I spent the weekend of the show stalking the scores online — congratulations to Kristi Nunnink on her repeat victory! — and wishing I was there riding. However, with this sacrifice came a wave of new business and interest, which helped to sweeten my disappointment at having to sit this one out.
The riding school is growing nicely thanks to the wonderful work of Helen Bouscaren. We are fortunate in that the location of the barn is ideal for luring new riders. It is on a pretty busy road, so many people drive by every day, and it’s also near to some well populated areas with big schools; I think this fortuitous situation helps keep new business coming into the lesson program.
My vision is for the riding school to be a reliable and hopefully lucrative income that can run alongside the competition barn. So far, the young riders from the riding school have also been extremely helpful to have around over the summer holidays. They have been helping with the barn chores, such as grooming horses, cleaning tack and setting fences, and hopefully it has been mutually beneficial and they have enjoyed being around the horses and learned a little too.
A key to the riding school is having good ponies. I think ideally it is nice to have ponies or horses for various levels and age of riders, but the most important thing is that they are reliable and safe.
As for my horses, we are gearing up for the fall season here on the West Coast. One of my Rolex horses, Jumbo’s Jake, is currently on the market, so hopefully he will find a nice home with a young rider, as he is a lovely horse in every way. I have really enjoyed my time with him, and many thanks to owner India McEvoy for giving me the opportunity to ride such a fabulous horse.
Tivoli, another of my Rolex rides, is also for sale. Likewise, he has been a great horse for me over the last couple of years and has given me some great memories; in particular, his cross country was always a pleasure. Thank you to my partners on Tivoli, Chuck and Peggy Moore, and it was certainly fun seeing his development over the years we had him.
What softens the blow of losing these wonderful competitors is the exciting group of young horses coming through. I feel very fortunate about the group of youngsters I work with every day, and many thanks to the support of Corie and David Young and their Reveler’s Ranch breeding program for filling my barn with many fabulous prospects that make me so enthusiastic for the future.
