James C. “Jimmy” Wofford was born in 1944 and raised on a horse farm in Milford, Kansas. A graduate of Culver Military Academy and the School of Business at the University of Colorado, he comes from a family of equestrians. His father, Col. John W. Wofford, represented the U.S. on the 1932 Olympic show jumping team, went on to coach eventers and show jumpers at the 1952 Olympic Games, and was the founder and first president of the United States Equestrian Team. Wofford’s oldest brother, Jeb, won a team bronze as part of the 1952 Olympic three-day team, the first Games where civilians were permitted to compete in eventing. Wofford’s middle brother, Warren, was first reserve to the U.S. show jumping team at the 1956 Olympics.

Wofford was a key member of the USET’s three-day event squad for two decades, during which time he was named to three Olympic teams where he won two team silver medals and an individual silver medal, won individual and team bronze medals at the 1970 and 1970 World Championships respectively, won team gold at the 1967 Pan American Games, and five national championship titles.

At least one rider on every U.S. Olympic, World Championship, and Pan American team since 1978 has been a student of Wofford. He coached the Canadian team for the 2002 World Championship, the 2003 Pan American Games, and the 2004 Olympic Games.

Widely sought after as a clinician and coach, Wofford is equally well known as an author. He has published four books: Training the Three-Day Event Horse and Rider, Gymnastics: Systematic Training for Jumping Horses, 101 Eventing Tips, and Take a Good Look Around.

Wofford has maintained a lifelong involvement in the administration of the sport, both nationally and internationally. Wofford has served as president of the American Horse Show Association (now U.S. Equestrian (USEF)), was the first vice-president of the USET, and served as secretary of the USCTA (now USEA). He served two terms as a member of the FEI Eventing Committee, including two years as vice chairman. In addition, he has served on numerous committees during his career.

In addition to his eventing achievements, Wofford was an active competitor in steeplechase races, rode in numerous horse shows, and fox hunted for over 20 years. Wofford and his wife, Gail, live at their Fox Covert Farm in Upperville, Virginia.