James started riding at the age of two, and was dealing ponies by age five. In 2002, he moved to Europe where he quickly established himself as a very professional and successful rider. He was the first Australian to win a championship at the World Young Jumping Horse championships, in 2001, and came back to win another title in 2003. He rode in the Australian showjumping team at the 2010 WEG in Lexington, on Niack de l’Abbaye, and in the Australian team at London, on Lanosso.