Photo: SIBIL SLEJKO
James Paterson Robinson is perhaps not the easiest guy in the world to interview. He’s got a very Dutch dry style and when I ask him to tell me a little about his horse, Amarillo, that’s just what I get, a little:
“Big and brown.”
James is chuckling and elaborates:
“He’s an eleven year old Dutch Warmblood. Indoctro / Heartbreaker. I’ve been riding him since March. He’d been ridden as a nine year old by Gerco Schroder, and then he went back and his owner rode him herself, for the last two years, and now I am riding him.”
What sort of a ride is he?
“He’s big and scopey. He’s quite sensitive – yeaar (In case you haven’t met James he has the foulest Dutch accent) he’s a good horse. I think he is suited for a Championship. The size of the jumps is not a problem.”
You must have been pretty pleased with your form in the Nations Cups, you were up there every time…
“He was good. Linz was his first big test and he jumped great there. Too bad we couldn’t pull together a team there, so we only did one round. Then I backed off a little, did a few smaller classes in Poznam, just to keep him in condition, and it was on the way so it made it a little easier to go there for the week, and then continue on to Sopot, so he was fresh and in good form, and he jumped there really well.” 
Photo: MONIKA SKOWRONSKA
Tell me a little about the place you are based at now?
“It is actually back where I used to be, Waldman Horses in Holland. It’s where I first rode in the World Championships for Young Horses, back in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004. It’s a new stable, a place I actually helped design the stables with Alan Waldman before I left. It is nice to come to a place that I designed together with Alan, it all works well.”
And they are happy for you to take the horse to Rio, it is not going to be sold next week?
“No, no. The horse is not from Alan, it is owned by Mario and Mischa Everse, they are business partners with Alan.”
Is it still a buzz, or are you getting used to going to Olympic Games…
“No, no, for sure it is still really really nice. It is a lot of work to get there, and this year was a little more difficult than other years to qualify. There were a lot more people trying to qualify this time. I think that was a good thing, it motivated everybody to do their best. In the end the team always seems to select itself on the results, but with a lot more people over here this year, it was a little more of a challenge. For sure, it is a super nice feeling to be selected. I’m happy.”
Each Rider of the Month receives a prize supplied by IAHP.
This month, the Rider of the Month receives a 2kg bag of Livamol valued at $19.80.
A palatable blend of proteins, energy and polyunsaturated oil formulated to improve coat condition and general appearance of all stock, including stud and show animals. LIVAMOL is especially appropriate for young, aged and convalescing animals recovering from disease or injury. 