Dan grew up in the South West of Western Australia and was first introduced to horses in his early teens. At 15yrs of age he began working for master farrier and horseman Pete Webber. It was here Dan developed both his horsemanship and farrier skills. At 17yrs of age Dan began working for cutting trainer Corry Holden in Cobram Victoria where he spent the following 6 months starting and training young horses – it was here that Dan was first recognised in the show ring – winning many senior & junior cutting events. In early 2002 Dan returned to WA and began working at Taunton Vale – a large Thoroughbred and Australian Stock Horse stud in the southwest. Here he was involved in all aspects of breeding, training, showing and yearling preparation
In 2007 Dan won the ACA Western Australian Reserve Champion Open Campdraft rider after winning multiple campdrafts and Stock horse futurities. Dan’s love of horses and desire to diversify his skills led him to gain part time work with master farrier Brent Tyler – it was over a 3 year period he developed his knowledge and skills – shoeing horses for many disciplines and working closely with local veterinarians whilst managing a 10,000acre cattle property. He was now conducting regular horsemanship clinics and was well respected for his horsemanship skills and talent in the arena.
During 2008 Dan joined his good friend Dan James at El Caballo Spanish Horse centre, Wooroloo WA – where they performed as “The Dan & Dan Show” each weekend – refining his showmanship and training skills. In 2009 – Dan & Dan relocated their training business to NSW and “Double Dan Horsemanship” was born. The boys have raised the bar in horsemanship, education and entertainment. Both highly skilled horsemen are sort after for their ability to entertain and thrill audiences of horsey and non-horsey people alike. Under the Double Dan Horsemanship banner they travel Australia and more recently the USA teaching, educating and competeing.
