Swampy
2009 AQHA Gelding
Seven from Heaven x Remember Hanna
Swampy was bred by the AQHA all-time leading breeder of both performance and race money winners, the 6666 Ranch. Dan James chose Swampy during the 2012 Road to the Horse World Championship which he went on to win. Since that time Swampy has gone on to be one of the most famously photographed rearing horses being featured in photoshoots with Vogue, Versace, Country Music Weekly, and The Walking Dead. Swampy is well known for his bareback and bridle-less high level dressage work, liberty performances, long-lining expertise, and versatility. Over the years Swampy has amassed his own group of fans who are fiercely loyal and constantly following his story.
Apollo
2001 AQHA Gelding
Apollo was bred in Australia and came over to the US with Dan James in 2010. Dan bought Apollo when he was 3 years old and today Apollo is one of the only liberty Roman riding teams in the world and the only known liberty team in the US. Apollo has one of the strongest, most distinct rears on the team and is also known for his bareback and bridle-less work. Apollo has been featured in thousands of Double Dan Horsemanship performances as well as photoshoots for Vogue and Versace. Apollo is one of the most beloved members of the DDH Team for his kind, gentle demeanor.
Amelia
2001 Australian Stock Horse Mare
Mesquite x Stock Horse Station Mare
Amelia was bred at a cattle station in Western Australia where Dan James first started her. Dan bought her and took her with him when he left the station and she became one of the first liberty horses he trained. Amelia is one of the only liberty Roman riding teams in the world and the only know liberty team in the US. Amelia is the only one of the DDH Team trained to ‘attack’, ‘fetch’, and carry things in her mouth. Amelia’s personality is always on display when she steps into the arena and she has been featured in thousands of Double Dan Horsemanship performances as well as photoshoots for Vogue and Versace. Amelia is one of the most widely recognized and photographed members of the DDH Team.
Top Gun
2001 AQHA Stallion
Playgun x Little Peppys Vet
Top Gun was the first reining horse Dan James owned, trained, and showed. Together Top Gun and Dan have won numerous Freestyle Reining Competitions including the 2016 Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Reining, 2014 Kentucky Reining Cup and the Denver Stock Show. They have earned the Crowd Favorite Award every time they’ve competed and in addition Top Gun has performed in hundreds of Double Dan Horsemanship shows. Throughout his career as part of the DDH Team, Top Gun has accomplished many firsts. He was the first horse to ever complete a reining spin and sliding stop at liberty in a competition. Top Gun often performs bareback and bridle-less and more notably is known to carry Dan as he rides backwards without a problem. Top Gun is an easy favorite among the DDH staff and he continues to travel with the team doing performances and photoshoots. He also stands at the Australian Equine Performance Center. For more information about breeding to Top Gun please click HERE.
Spider Pig
2010 AQHA Gelding
Dan bought Spider Pig and Vanilla Ice as a team from Terry Hanscom in 2014. Since joining the DDH Team Spider Pig has become a regular in Double Dan Horsemanship shows. Not only does is he part of a Roman Riding team with Vanilla Ice, Spider Pig also has a rear, sit, laydown, piaffe, and flying lead changes all at Liberty. Spider Pig is the most entertaining and mischievous members of the DDH Team as he is constantly looking for ways to untie knots, open stall doors, and avoid work.
Vanilla Ice
2010 AQHA Gelding
Dan bought Vanilla Ice and Spider Pig as a team from Terry Hanscom in 2014. Since joining the team Vanilla Ice has become a regular in Double Dan Horsemanship Shows. Not only is he part of a Roman Riding team with Spider Pig, Vanilla Ice has developed one of the strongest rears on the team in addition to his sit, laydown, piaffe, and flying lead changes at Liberty. Vanilla Ice spends much of his time trying to keep his counterpart, Spider Pig, out of trouble!
Vegemite
2011 AQHA Stallion
Magnum Chic Dream x Chex By Dunit
Vegemite was purchased by Dan and Elizabeth James and Terry Hanscom in 2017. Vegemite is a multiple Freestyle Reining Champion and was also selected to represent Reining Australia at the 2018 World Equestrian Games. In addition to his reining training, Vegemite is a skilled Liberty horse with Liberty reining spin and sliding stop. Currently Vegemite stands at stud at the Australian Equine Performance Center with frozen semen available. If you are interested in learning more about breeding to Vegemite please click HERE.
Goose
Gelding
Dan got Goose at the Calgary Stampede in 2014 as a trade for another pony. Goose has become a crowd favorite and one of the most beloved members of the DDH Team. Goose’s Liberty work includes the rear, the sit, the laydown, and the roll up but Goose is best known for the enthusiasm with which he runs out (always last) to join the rest of the horses during a performance.
Ozzie
2015 Thoroughbred Gelding
Einstein x Bona Dea
Ozzie was added to the DDH Team in 2017. He is an OTTB (off the track Thoroughbred) who finished in the Top 5 in the Freestyle and Top 10 in the Ranch Riding at the 2018 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover. Ozzie wowed the crowds as the first horse in RRP Makeover history to perform at Liberty in all three gates off of a ridden horse and to execute a stop cue while a ridden horse cantered around him. Ozzie will make his debut performance with the DDH Team at the 2019 National Western Stock Show where he will be performing at Liberty on the ground and off of a ridden horse. He has also displayed considerable talent at jumping and in his ridden work.