American Grand Prix rider and trainer Jim Eldridge passed away in Dallas, TX, on 9 February 2018 after a seven-year battle against melanoma cancer. He was 61 years old.
Jim Eldridge, originally from Sacramento, California, began training at Noble Champion Sport Horses, Inc. in 2002 and has continued his legacy there.
He started riding at the age of 10 and became more actively involved in dressage at the age of 27. He knew most of the professional Olympic Dressage riders and trainers were on the East Coast, competing on the Florida Circuit.
Jim left California and accepted a position with Gretchen Verbonic, USDF Judge, as a working student. During that time, he had the opportunity to train with George Heister, Swedish Olympic Team Coach for the Los Angeles Olympic games, and with Alex Cerba, Russian Olympic Team Trainer.
Eldridge traveled to Germany in 1992 where he had the opportunity to train with Olympic trainer, Herbert Rehbein. He showed sufficient talent to be asked to extend his stay in Germany for another year. Afterwards, he returned to the United States to compete in Florida and worked with four-time US Olympic medalist, Robert Dover. In the 1990s he was based at Stonegate Manor in Southlake, TX, where he hired 2016 Rio Olympian Allison Brock as a working student.
Jim's legacy will continue at Noble Champion Sport Horses through many local and national clinics. Jim taught riders from novice through Grand Prix on a variety of breeds including warmbloods, PRE's and Friesian horses. He was a USDF silver medalist (1998)
Jim leaves behind one son, Justin. A memorial celebration will take place on 3 March at Noble Champion Sport Horses in Cedar Hill, TX.
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