Born in Honduras, Javier’s love for horses began during visits to his grandparents’ farm in Alabama. His grandfather always kept a few horses around, and some of Javier’s favorite childhood memories were spent riding them and exploring the countryside. Those early experiences sparked a…
Born in Honduras, Javier’s love for horses began during visits to his grandparents’ farm in Alabama. His grandfather always kept a few horses around, and some of Javier’s favorite childhood memories were spent riding them and exploring the countryside. Those early experiences sparked a passion that would eventually shape his future.
When Javier was 12 years old, his grandparents adopted him, giving him the opportunity to spend even more time around horses. While horses were a constant part of his life, quality training and horsemanship knowledge were not.
“Most of the horses I grew up on were other people’s junk that they’d gotten rid of at sales or through horse traders,” Javier says. “At the time, we didn’t know anything about horsemanship or have any idea what a broke horse was. We just worked with the horses as best as we could, and I was able to get by on a few of them.”
Everything changed because of a mare named Sugar. One day, while riding her in a pasture, Javier found himself in a situation he couldn’t handle. “I was probably 13 at the time, and she was taking off on me and I couldn’t control her,” Javier recalls.
Determined to find help, he tracked down the phone number of a Downunder Horsemanship Method Ambassador. When he called the ambassador, she patiently explained how to perform a One Rein Stop and why it worked. That conversation opened the door to a whole new way of thinking about horses.
From that point on, Javier immersed himself in the Method. He watched every training video he could get his hands on and attended every tour stop within driving distance.
“What I like best about the Method is that Clinton shoots you straight,” Javier says. “He doesn’t cut corners. Everything I’ve seen him say to do, if you follow his instructions, you will get results.”
As Javier’s knowledge and confidence grew, so did his ambitions. Javier attended the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School and began pursuing a career in the horse industry. Enrolling in the Academy and joining the Downunder Horsemanship team felt like the natural next step.
“I wanted to see if I met Downunder Horsemanship’s standards and wanted to know that I was training the correct way,” Javier says. “I knew that if I didn’t go for it, I’d regret it.”
Today, Javier is passionate about helping horse owners gain the confidence and skills they need to build willing, respectful partnerships with their horses. He enjoys sharing the Method with others and showing riders that, regardless of their starting point, success is possible with the right knowledge and commitment.
About Javier
Born in Honduras, Javier’s love for horses began during visits to his grandparents’ farm in Alabama. His grandfather always kept a few horses around, and some of Javier’s favorite childhood memories were spent riding them and exploring the countryside. Those early experiences sparked a passion that would eventually shape his future.
When Javier was 12 years old, his grandparents adopted him, giving him the opportunity to spend even more time around horses. While horses were a constant part of his life, quality training and horsemanship knowledge were not.
“Most of the horses I grew up on were other people’s junk that they’d gotten rid of at sales or through horse traders,” Javier says. “At the time, we didn’t know anything about horsemanship or have any idea what a broke horse was. We just worked with the horses as best as we could, and I was able to get by on a few of them.”
Everything changed because of a mare named Sugar. One day, while riding her in a pasture, Javier found himself in a situation he couldn’t handle. “I was probably 13 at the time, and she was taking off on me and I couldn’t control her,” Javier recalls.
Determined to find help, he tracked down the phone number of a Downunder Horsemanship Method Ambassador. When he called the ambassador, she patiently explained how to perform a One Rein Stop and why it worked. That conversation opened the door to a whole new way of thinking about horses.
From that point on, Javier immersed himself in the Method. He watched every training video he could get his hands on and attended every tour stop within driving distance.
“What I like best about the Method is that Clinton shoots you straight,” Javier says. “He doesn’t cut corners. Everything I’ve seen him say to do, if you follow his instructions, you will get results.”
As Javier’s knowledge and confidence grew, so did his ambitions. Javier attended the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School and began pursuing a career in the horse industry. Enrolling in the Academy and joining the Downunder Horsemanship team felt like the natural next step.
“I wanted to see if I met Downunder Horsemanship’s standards and wanted to know that I was training the correct way,” Javier says. “I knew that if I didn’t go for it, I’d regret it.”
Today, Javier is passionate about helping horse owners gain the confidence and skills they need to build willing, respectful partnerships with their horses. He enjoys sharing the Method with others and showing riders that, regardless of their starting point, success is possible with the right knowledge and commitment.
