James Arkins: Leading the Barefoot Revolution in Elite Showjumping

We are thrilled to celebrate our Brand Ambassador, James Arkins, who continues to make waves both in Australia and on the world stage as he transitions his entire team of elite showjumpers to barefoot with the help of Scootboots.

As one of Australia’s top international showjumpers and the manager of Rosthwaite Farm in the NSW Southern Highlands, James has long been recognised for his talent, horsemanship, and forward-thinking approach to training.

Over the past year, he has worked closely with the Scootboot team to transition his horses to barefoot, and the results have been outstanding.

“Scootboots have been a game changer,” says James. “They have allowed us to pursue peak performance while protecting and supporting our horses’ hooves, every step of the way. The freedom, natural movement, and confidence they provide, both in and out of the arena, are unmatched.”

From young prospects to seasoned Grand Prix competitors, James’s horses are thriving barefoot, proving that hoof health and high performance go hand in hand.

In a sport where precision, balance and soundness are everything, more and more top-level showjumpers are making the move to barefoot, and riders like James are leading the charge.

What was once seen as niche is now becoming the new normal, with barefoot athletes showing just how much horses can excel when allowed to move naturally.

James visited Horseland Mittagong to share his experiences with Scootboots and speak with riders interested in making the switch. His passion for helping others understand the benefits of barefoot performance reflects the Scootboot mission to keep horses sound, strong and comfortable at every level of competition.

We are proud to have James on the Scootboot team as he continues to inspire riders around the world to embrace the barefoot journey from grassroots to Grand Prix.

The future of performance is barefoot, and it is already here.