Tales from
the Trails
WRITTEN BY DIANE BARBER
PHOTOGRAPHED BY STEPHAN COOPER
This might not be the Old West, but according to Rolling Hills Estates
resident cowboy Jim Moore, “It is still the west and about as far west as you
can get!”
Out of a deep appreciation for the cowboy lifestyle and a lifelong love of
horses, Jim started Cowboy Boot Camp – a training
program for anyone who wants to learn to ride, care for or understand a
horse, or simply be close to one. Recently featured on HGTV and CNN,
they focus on horsemanship, the human/animal bond, the daily realities of
horse ownership, and the As to Zs of horseback riding.
Rain or shine, horse life is a 24/7 operation for Jim. “The big
advantage to the business being at home is it’s in our backyard. And the big
disadvantage is it’s in our backyard,” said a grinning Jim. Before the morning
light, they awaken to the soft nickering of horses. Jeans and boots are pulled
on, dogs are fed and Jim reaches for a cowboy hat as he steps outside into
the cool morning air to greet another day. Tossing feed to chickens with
Welsh corgis at his heels, 10 hungry horses anxiously await the sounds of
his boot steps. The rest of a typical day is filled with trail rides, a pre-filming
“look good sitting on a horse” lesson with a Hollywood actor, hands-on
training with Cowboy Boot Campers, mending a fence or fixing a water
leak, more feedings, horse grooming, and cleaning stalls. Interlaced with the
day’s activities are Cowboy Jim’s belly laughs and colorful storytelling, Lori’s
contagious ear-to-ear smile, and a shared heartfelt passion for the community.
“People from all over the world come to ride with us,” Jim said. “We have
about 100 miles of trails and one of the best urban trail riding systems in the
country here on the Peninsula. And, in our spare time, we proudly work very hard
to protect and preserve it.”
STABLES
Peninsula Riding Club
310-544-4722
Palos Verdes Stables
310-378-3527
Peter Weber Equestrian
Center
310-541-9487
HORSE SUPPLIES
Rolling Hills General Store
310-541-3668
Lomita Feed Store
310-326-4738
SERVICES
Jim Moore
Cowboy Boot Camp
310-872-9421,
cowboybootcamp.net
Keith & Rachael DeYoung
DeYoung Horseshoeing
310-540-4117
Laura Wilton
Elite Etiquette Horse
Training
310-347-6691
Dr. Sylvia Ouellette
Elite Equine
Veterinarian Services
626-256-4788,
eliteequinevets.com
Diane Barber
Equestrian Designery
Interior Design for
Equestrians
310-544-4798
equestriandesignery.com
Note: We appreciated Diane including us in this piece along with some of our other friends and associates. If you would like to contact one of the South Bay horse specialists mentioned in the original article, please
see below for their contact information and a few additional resources in the area.
Cowboy Boot Camp is a Registered Trademark
