Nearly four years ago, Charmayne James knew her life was beginning to change directions. The 11-time World Championship barrel racer was thinking about post-rodeo life - a chance to perfect a breeding operation and to teach her industry's future generations through clinics and schools. Charmayne had the knowledge and resources for the next phase of her life. All that was missing was a place to call home. Location was a primary concern for Charmayne's Running Bay Ranch. Because she travels so much, she began looking for land within a 100-mile radius of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. After a long, disheartening search, Charmayne's now husband, Tony Garritano, picked up a copy of Texas Farm & Ranch magazine which listed a 100-acre piece of property located just four miles outside of Athens, Texas, 75 miles southeast of Dallas.

"During the Tour Finale in Mesquite, we drove down here and looked at the property and it was almost perfect," she recalled. "It was close to town but yet we were still out in the country and had 100 acres - enough room to run our broodmares and house our breeding operation."Athens, population 11,700, is a picturesque Texas town surrounded by museums, an arboretum and recreational parks. These features, added to several local hotels and restaurants, made for an attractive location for barrel racers to retreat to. The ranch was also the perfect set up. Charmayne was looking for a place that would fit her needs, something she could build on to, without having to do a lot of renovations to unnecessary facilities.

The one main building already on the ranch was a barn designed by a veterinarian, Dr. Taylor. The barn features a stock area, feed room and 16 by 16 tongue and groove stalls with secure gates and outside windows. "When we came here, everything was set up really nice where you didn't get your horses hurt in the stalls or have to worry about broken this or that or sharp edges or corners," she pointed out. "It was thought out really well. "A large paddock in front of the barn, facing the ranch's gated entrance, is home to Charmayne's champions, Cruiser and Scamper. The geldings will soon have a state-of-the-art shed, complete with misters and fans, to keep cool in the East Texas summers.

Charmayne added shelters to the existing small paddocks which were fenced with four-board fences. The four-board fences are an attractive feature as the boards just break if a horse decides to kick which eliminates many possible injuries. There are also three, 20-acre pastures perfect for turning horses out. All Charmayne had to do was improve the fencing which she accomplished by installing horse wire. Once the horse facilities were perfected, it was time to make the property clinic friendly. Charmayne added a galvanized panel arena and hopes to have it covered in the next year or two. Pens for Tony's roping steers are located at the far end of the arena, along with a roundpen used for starting colts. She also added a 32-stall barn adjacent to the arena, built specifically for clinic horses, as well as 20 plugins and water access for students' trailers. Charmayne worked with a local dirt contractor to concoct the perfect arena ground.

Because Athens is full of white sand, she had to have 70 loads of clay hauled to her ranch in order to have adequate ground. She also invested in a watering system. "The ground is probably the most important thing at a barrel racer's house," Charmayne explained. "You don't ever want to make a fast run on your good horse on hard ground or ground that's not good. "Safety is also a huge concern, especially since she's not just running her own horses in her arena. She has to keep her students' safety in mind, as well as that of their horses. Charmayne has the arena ground worked so that she can keep it approximately 10 inches deep, packed back over with four inches of fluff on top.

Charmayne and Tony recently switched over to organic fertilizers hoping to maximize their pastures and better suit the health of their horses. Along with Charmayne's' barrel prospects, the Running Bay Ranch is also home to A Black Feature (Frosty Feature x Miss Toady Jack x Sandy Jack Jordan) and Always Sixes (Streakin Six x Always Elegant x Raise Your Glass). Charmayne is standing the two young stallions to the public and also hopes to advance their barrel careers and records. "The studs are young and one of them is unproven completely but we just thought he was nice enough, good looking and well bred enough," she said. "We just really believe in them and their bloodlines.

"The ranch's original house, located at the front of the property, is currently home to Roy and Lucy Castillo. Roy helps take care of the ranch while Lucy will be helping Charmayne and Tony with their new baby, Tyler Anthony. Behind the barn, paddocks and Costillo home, or the commercial aspect of the Running Bay Ranch, Charmayne and Tony built their dream home. The house, which was finished last year, is situated on the property to serve as a retreat for the newly-married couple, nestled behind a row of large shade trees. "We just knew when we pulled in here that this was the place for us," she said. "We love the area, it's pretty, with pine trees and the rolling hills and green grass. We just fell in love with it."I think the biggest thing is with me retiring last year, my focus is now building everything here at home - building the schools, building the breeding program and getting the ranch built up. I love being here and getting the place set up. Charmayne and Tony built their dream home on the back side of their property - their own private paradise.