Sydney champ rubbing shoulders with world’s rich and famous

Aussie show jumper James Arkins says he sometimes feels like a “fish out of water” mixing with the rich and famous on the international circuit for his chosen sport.

Champion Aussie show jumper James Arkins says he sometimes feels like a “fish out of water” mixing with the rich and famous on the international circuit for his chosen sport.

The 30-year-old last week competed at the world famous Spruce Meadows Showjumping Championships in Alberta Canada, where he was photographed hanging out with American Hannah Selleck, daughter of Hollywood actor Tom Selleck.

Bruce Springsteen’s daughter Jessica has also been at the event in Canada, as has Bill Gates daughter, Jennifer. Eve Jobs, daughter of Steve Jobs, has also been there.

“It is a very expensive sport,” Arkins told Confidential.

“It is kind of a bit of a place to be seen and it is quite a glamorous sport. At the big shows, the fancy tents are a bit like the polo but maybe even a little more glamorous. For me, I am a bit of a fish out of water so it is quite cool rubbing shoulders with these guys.”

Australian show jumper James Arkins.

Bruce Springsteen’s daughter Jessica has also been at the event in Canada, as has Bill Gates daughter, Jennifer. Eve Jobs, daughter of Steve Jobs, has also been there.

“It is a very expensive sport,” Arkins told Confidential. “It is kind of a bit of a place to be seen and it is quite a glamorous sport. At the big shows, the fancy tents are a bit like the polo but maybe even a little more glamorous. For me, I am a bit of a fish out of water so it is quite cool rubbing shoulders with these guys.”

Hannah Selleck and Australian equestrian show jumper James Arkins at the Spruce Meadows Show jumping Championships in Alberta, Canada.

Arkins, who is based in Moss Vale, has scored a spot on the Australian Showjumping Equestrian team at the Ecco World Championships in Denmark next month.

His sport is not in the Commonwealth Games, meaning he won’t be heading to Birmingham, but he is hoping to represent the country at the next Olympics in Paris in 2024 on his horse Eurostar.

“Paris is the plan,” he said. “My horse is quite young, one of the youngest at this level and he should only be better for Paris.

“He is getting better with every start so as much as I think we have a great result on the table now, we will be even more prepared for Paris.”

Arkins grew up in Sydney’s east in a “middle class family”.

“My family couldn’t really afford for me to ride,” he said. “I don’t come from the same level of wealth as these people, I am pretty much self-made.”