Where were you born? How long did you live there- then where?
Canada:Sherbrooke Quebec, lived there until I was about 18.
Short bit about your show history.....work history. Started working for Carl Basset in Vermont when I was 19 and also played polo for the Sugarbush polo team. I attended Morvin Park Intl Equestrian Institute in Vir- ginia which was an intense 1 yr program for up and coming trainers. It was very similar to what the USEF is trying to do now with the certification process. I taught and rode at St. Lawrence University in Canton New York for 4 year where they had 60 horses. I took horses to the intercollegiate shows as well as to lots of other shows on the East Coast. I worked for Michael Matz in Pennsylvania for 2 years. Finally I made the move out to California where I worked for Butch Thomas until I was asked to run Chalk Hill Ranch which became Chalk Winery Equestrian Center. In 1989 I started Charlebois Farm and eventually came to Portola Valley in 1996. Over the years I have done a lot of showing all over the country, including Grand Prixs and I still really enjoy going in the show ring. Currently I have 2 barns, one at the Portola Valley Training Center and one in Saratoga CA.
I have my big ‘R” in hunters and equitation and have judged a bit all over the country.
Work, what are you duties and how does that work? I manage both my barns, taking a very hands on approach with all the health and training of every horse and rider. I ride almost every day and when I am not riding, I am teaching. My assistants stay in close communication with me while I am at shows and my wife handles much of the barn administrative and horse show details. We are a good team and things run very smoothly.
Best part of being in the horse business? The horses and the fun people I have at my barns.
What do you miss about “home” when you are on the road?
My wife and my other animals.
Family...who and how many in the family. Do any of them ride? I have 2 brothers and 1 sister. None of which have ever ridden. I have a son and a daughter. My son lives in Ja- pan and is a Phd. professor of English. My daughter just graduated from college and she lives in Marin County. My daughter is a rider and I am very proud of all her accom- plishments. I have a wonderful wife “Denise” who is my best friend. She rides and loves all aspects of barn life.
Favorite food? Prime rib and corn on the cob
Favorite music. Country Western & Soft Rock
Something we don’t know about you but would find in- teresting? I have an obsession with parrots and I love Mustangs (the car)
Any other hobbies? What do you do with your spare time? Trail ride, enjoy hockey games and I like to travel to new and exciting places.
Friends here. I am very privileged to have some extraordinary friends all over the country. I can go to any horse show in America and find lots of old friends. I really value spending time with my best friends, I think it’s one of the most impor- tant things in life.
Goals and whats in the future for you? Currently my goal is to continue teaching, riding & show- ing. I have a young exceptional stallion that I am develop- ing and I am having a lot of fun with him. I am planning to greatly increase my buy/sell business and hope to have a number of quality sale horses very soon.
Opposite Page: John riding Romario. This Page (left): John and his wife, Denise.
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