Sunday, February 24, 2008

Article for Arabian Breeders Network member Gina Dupree


This story was featured on ABN and also published in 2 US publications

Meet ABN Member Gina Dupree aka arabianfancy
by Stacy Swenson

Imagine having a passion for Arabian horses from the 3rd grade onward. Envision a girl dreaming of horses, but not just any horse, Arabian horses. Gina Dupree is the lucky woman who has been able to live her passion on so many levels, as a horse crazy girl, as a young adult, as a mother and as a profession. The stars were aligned perfectly the day Gina was born and for that she is eternally grateful.

Gina bought her first Arabian, a weanling filly, sight unseen at 4 months old. Her name was Tallahoma Lady. Sadly she was lost in a terrible barn accident at 14 months and it broke Gina's heart. She bought Tallahoma's dam, Flame Bouyant, (Kaborr x *Bask daughter) a year or so later but lost her to cancer a couple of years ago. Gina has her two Flame sons and another Arabian mare Spirit of Dansk that is daughter Mandy's horse.

Fast forward to 1999, the year Gina sold her first hand crafted and designed Arabian horse show/presentation halter on Ebay for $20, shipped to the buyer in Hawaii. "At the time I thought this was a fun hobby. I designed a halter for my Arab mare using her as the canvas." Gina says. "Since I don't show I didn't need a show halter but I fell in love with the design process. Ideas for bead work and design took hold of me at all hours of the day. I'd wake up at 2 a.m. with colors, shapes and beads dancing in my head." A phone call from Robert Cass who works for Michael Byatt Arabians would propel Gina's hobby into an international phenomenon.

Gina began selling native tack imported from Jordan and Syria and when the World Trade Center bombings happened on Sept. 11, 2001. Gina explains, "People were afraid to import packages from foreign countries and at that time very few people in the US sold the Bedouin style tack which was increasing in popularity around the Arab show ring. I was beginning to meet some big name trainers and owners." The call from Mr. Cass was a request from him for a halter that was narrower than the imported style and that is better fitting. "I did my first two custom designs for Marwan and FS Bengali, talk about jumping into the deep end with both feet." Gina explains.
Today Gina looks at her body of work and is amazed at what has happened in just a few short years. Cover shots on national and international Arabian horse publications include SP Nevermore in native tack on the cover of the IAHA Feb/Mar 2004 issue; FS Bengali on the cover of AWH magazine in January 2004; Thee Desperado, AHW magazine cover in Dec. 2006.

Her list of clients includes Samsara(Donald Duke in England), Talaria, Michael Byatt, Brookville Arabains, QR Marc at Rohara, Hawk's Flight Farm, Markelle Arabians, Wayne Newton's Aramus Arabians, Arabians Ltd. (Thee Desperado), Gerzanne Stud in New Zealand, Thoraya Arabians in Austria, McDonald Arabians, and Haras Polona in Brazil

Gina is currently working on a project for Saffyre Arabians, one for ABN member Moudy, a very special grey mare for another customer, two for Hawk's Flight Farm, a unique halter with matching necklace for the Pyramid Society, and one for a farm in Australia.

If the halter work was not enough Gina is mother to children Mandy age 9 and Justin age two. She will celebrate her 17th wedding anniversary next month with husband Jamie. Together they farm 400 acres in Mississippi with 100+ beef cattle and 144,000 chickens, running a commercial poultry farm, 8 horses, 5 cats and 6 dogs.

Because family always comes first her halters take 4-6 months to complete. Gina carries around design ideas in her head and she works on a project, lays out the design, photographs it then sends the picture to the client for approval. She garners information about the horse, including photos before she begins. The unique look and personality of each horse propels the design with color variations taking center stage.

Thanks Gina for being an active member on ABN and for your donation of a stunning custom designed halter. More information about Gina and photos of some of her designs can be found at www.arabianfancy.com.

Photos copyright arabian fancy used with horse owner permission.

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