Front Page Stories
A Historic Romany Weekend at Dixie Down Meadows
Steve and Jane Down of Dixie Down Meadows located overseas in England, held a weekend of Romany enchantment from May 29-30, 2010. The first day began with a tour of some of the Down’s horse pastures where attendees enjoyed interacting and photographing their beautiful horses in a field of two year olds.
Following some playtime, attendees were given a presentation by a UK Equine Dental Specialist who was invited by the Down family to inform guests of proper care and some recent concerns arising in the breeding industry. The dentist explained how some horse traders have been altering horse’s teeth in order to sell them as younger horses. He went through the tools used and how to recognize the signs.
Afterwards attendees were presented with some of the best stallions ever to be bred in England with The Stallion Parade. Spectators were introduced to the breathtaking horses and their heritage as they snapped plenty of photographs.
That night attendees gathered around the campfire to hear Steve tell old Romany tales, it was a truly magical experience!
Behind the Easel
with Dianne Dakowicz
Compiled by Celeste Karpf
Artwork: Dianne Dakowicz
GHJ: When did you first start drawing and painting?
DD: Very young when I was in middle school, my family was very encouraging.
GHJ: How long have you been a professional artist?
DD: Since graduation from College in 1981! My first job was a junior graphic designer, where I was also able to use my illustration skills. I was quickly promoted, and in five years I was head designer and assistant art director for a major firm in Boston ‘till 1990 when I went out on my own.
LexLin Gypsy Ranch
Rockwood, Tennessee
By Catherine Girard
In the tradition of fine southern hospitality, Mechelle and Eric Barton would like to welcome you to LexLin Gypsy Ranch! Nestled near the banks of the Tennessee River in Rockwood, Tennessee, the ranch was named for the couple’s eldest daughter, Lexi, and their youngest daughter, Lindie, and is home to 83 registered, or pending registration, Gypsy Vanner horses and cobs representing some of the finest bloodlines available. Selected by Mechelle for the ranch’s breeding program, each horse was chosen for its lineage, exemplary conformation, movement, temperament and beauty. Additionally, every horse has been DNA tested and their breeding stock color tested, and their six stallions are registered with all four registries operating within the United States.
Painted Hills Farm
Leyden, Massachusetts
By Pat Muccigrosso
To some, Caryl Giard’s dream seems very small. There are only six Gypsy Cob mares on Painted Hills Farm and Caryl only breeds a foal or two every year or so. “We are a very small breeder but we pride ourselves on that. Staying small and staying personal is where we’d like to be,” explains Caryl.
With 100 acres in rural Leyden, Massachusetts, Caryl could go bigger but deliberately chooses not to. She thinks Painted Hills Farm is just the right size. “We are not trying to be a huge farm, breeding hundreds of horses,” says Caryl. “We want the few that we sell each year to be something people connect with and see the difference in.”
Small works for her but how does she pay the bills in a tough economy? “You don’t, to be honest,” Caryl laughs. “It’s definitely not a money maker. The farm is a kind of hobby, an expensive one but a good one. You do it because you love it.”
Laughing again, Caryl adds, “The only people making any money are the huge breeders, and I don’t know how they have been doing it. The horses just aren’t selling like they were five years ago.”
