For James, horses have always been a family profession. He grew up immersed in equestrian sport, with generations of his family involved as riders, drivers, trainers, veterinarians, judges, and course designers.

His father, James “Jimmy” Fairclough, has represented the United States internationally in four-in-hand driving for more than four decades, earning team gold at the 2018 World Equestrian Games and team silver at the 2002 and 2010 World Equestrian Games, in addition to multiple national championships. His mother, Robin Rost, was a successful rider in her own right, including winning the USEF Medal Finals, before becoming a respected professional trainer and USEF “R” judge.

Growing up in that environment gave James an education in horses long before he began his own professional career. As a junior, he spent time in Europe riding for Paul and Emile Hendrix at Stal Hendrix in Baarlo, the Netherlands, gaining early experience within one of Europe’s established sales and development programs.

James later attended Drew University, where he finished second in the Tournament of Champions and won the 2008 Cacchione Cup National Championship.

Following college, James joined Candice King at Skara Glen Stables, riding for her during her campaign toward the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. During that period, he worked with an exceptional group of international horses, including Skara Glen’s Davos, Rebozo, Cartier, Skara Glen’s Voltan H, Toronto, and Nike.

James subsequently rode for legendary U.S. Olympic rider and chef d’équipe Frank Chapot and Olympian Mary Chapot. Among the horses he rode were Zealous, Elizabeth R, and Starquest. During Starquest’s first year of competition, James piloted him to Six-Year-Old Grand Champion honors at the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Six-Year-Old Championship at Devon.

Throughout his early career, James also had the opportunity to ride for and learn from accomplished riders and owners including Anne Kursinski, Jane Clark, Mario Deslauriers, Carol Thompson, and the Cudmore family.

In 2015, James founded Bexley Farm and began building a program of his own. Over the past decade, he has trained horses and riders across the hunter, jumper, and equitation divisions, from developing young horses at the beginning of their careers to preparing established horses and riders for competition at many of the country’s leading horse shows.

The experiences James gained throughout his career have shaped the program he has built at Bexley Farm. His approach is individualized rather than formulaic, with an emphasis on developing each horse according to its ability, temperament, and stage of training.

Today, James operates Bexley Farm between Bedford, New York, and Wellington, Florida, continuing to develop horses and riders for competition while maintaining the hands-on approach that has defined his career.