Yellowstone has been praised for its authenticity, and that’s largely credited to Taylor Sheridan casting real-life cowboys just like Jake Ream. Initially, Ream was brought in on the show as a consultant, but he soon after got an on-camera role as ranch hand Jake. Sheridan put him a little bit here and there in the show. And now, he has earned his full-fledged membership in the Dutton bunkhouse.
Life Before Yellowstone: Horse trainer Jake Ream
Jake Ream is the driving force behind Ream Performance Horses, a horse training facility based in Palmyra, Utah. According to their Facebook page, they specialize in cutting and offer colt starting and tune-ups.
In a sit-down interview for Yellowstone, Ream shared that he has been riding horses for years – too long to remember what age he even started. What he does remember was his older brother putting him on quite a few wild ones, which was definitely fun. After graduating high school, he went to Pilot Point, Texas, and worked in EE Ranches with cutting horse trainer Guy Woods. Woods has been in the business for decades and has won several major horse-cutting titles.
During Ream’s time there, he had the opportunity to ride with a lot of well-named guys on top of the valuable learning experience.
Meeting Taylor Sheridan
A few years ago, Ream posted an ad for a horse. Taylor Sheridan called him, asked what he was doing, and he told him that he was a horse trainer. He then came to the barn, rode and tried the horse out, and finally bought it. Afterward, Sheridan and his wife would go back from time to time and take lessons.
The funny part in all of their interaction was that Ream had no idea at the time who Sheridan was until the secretary of the cutting horse association asked him how he knew the Yellowstone creator during a show.
He simply replied to her that he had sold him a horse. The secretary then pulled out her phone and showed him that Sheridan was a popular figure in the entertainment industry. Ream went out and found Sheridan and told him, “So you’re some famous guy or something.” They laughed it off, and that was the start of their relationship.
Taking the Reins
Right before Yellowstone started, Sheridan called Ream and asked if he could give the actors riding lessons. He obliged and led a four-day camp with 14 mules on his grandfather’s land and taught the actors the basics of horse-riding. Then when the filming for Season 1 kicked off, the horse trainer’s main job included saddling and wrangling the horses and just making sure everything was properly done for the safety of both the actors and the horses.
His consulting stint turned into an acting job when the production said they needed another cowboy. Sheridan initially put Ream in a few scenes, then decided to give him a big scene wherein he did some roping. Then Ream became that guy who would pop in and out throughout the season. In fact, his comedic chops and sharp lines have become favorites in the show.
But did you know that Jake Ream almost cost himself his job? As it turned out, there was another one beside Sheridan that he didn’t know was famous: Kevin Costner.
Recalling the incident, Ream said, “When I first got introduced to Kevin, Taylor brought him [Costner] down to the barn. Just him and Taylor rode down in the truck, and he introduced himself and said, ‘So what do you do for a living?'” He replied that he was a horse trainer, farmer, and rancher. Costner didn’t attend the horseriding camp as he already had decades of experience riding. And so, Ream didn’t really know who he was.
Halfway back into the barn, Ream couldn’t help himself and asked Costner the same question. Costner paused and gave him a look, and Ream honestly thought he offended the actor and cost himself his job. Thankfully, the legendary actor was very chill about it. He just started laughing and even slapped Ream on the back. Then he said to him, “We’re gonna get along just fine.” And they did.
As per fandom.com, Jake Ream appeared in 39 episodes from Season 1 until the first part of Season 5. Most of his on-screen time is spent on stunt performances and horse riding.
The Bunkhouse Membership
Taylor Sheridan has been very particular in creating an authentic atmosphere for the show. And to make that happen, he not only consulted with horse trainers like Jake Ream but also actually cast real-life cowboys for main cast roles: Forrie J. Smith, who arguably plays fans’ favorite ranch hand, Lloyd (Well, probably next to Cole Hauser’s Rip Wheeler), Ryan Bingham who plays the troublemaker Walker, and Ethan Lee who plays ranch hand Ethan.
Smith has been a long-time Hollywood stuntman and seasoned, and Yellowstone was his first series regular role. He was born to rancher parents, was raised on a Montana ranch, and started riding horses when he was just 8. Bingham, on the other hand, grew up doing cowboy stuff – roping and bull riding – in New Mexico. He was only supposed to write a few songs for the series. However, after connecting with Sheridan over riding horses, he got himself an actual role. And then there’s Lee from Amite, Louisiana, who spent his life in rodeos, riding bulls and horses, and working as a rodeo trick rider. He initially declined the invitation to work in Yellowstone due to family concerns, but he got a second chance. And after a few stunts, Sheridan wrote him into the show.
Check out Jake Ream’s full interview in the video below.
