.:EQUUS:.

Known as the Billabong for the horse lover, giddyupgirl is the inspiration of Tammy Raine who came to realise the lack in funky fashion products available for horse crazy teens when her 13 year old was at Horse Training Camp. Concluding she could fix this problem by producing this niche market, Tammy did her research and started on the idea right away. The result is giddyupgirl.

Have you always been interested in horses and when did you start designing clothes for those who are often on or around a horse?
As a little girl I always wanted a horse but unfortunately my parents couldn’t afford one. I used to go to a riding school in Prospect near Sydney every weekend and ride my favourite chestnut mare Rusty.

When our daughter Cassie was about 10 years old she went horse riding with a friend one weekend and came back hooked! She begged and begged and finally we gave in and bought her a horse – Leisha a Chestnut Arab mare! She had the kindest nature and was the perfect Pony Club mount at 15.2H for our daughter.

At training camps and Pony Club social events I noticed that most of the girls were wearing surf and street brands and wondered if there was anything “funky” that related to horses. After investigating I found that there was nothing around so I started with some t-shirt designs and the rest is history!

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
We recently sold our horse because Cassie is now in grade 11 and we just weren’t getting the time to see nor ride Leisha. Leisha was aggisted 20 mins from our home and the owners of the property sold so we had to make some decisions. Due to the fact that we weren’t riding as much as we should we decided to sell her. It was the saddest day of our lives I think! Leisha is now at a happy home on the Gold Coast.

I now visit the horses at the place where our jodhpurs are made, they have some beautiful show ponies and at least once a week I go see them – I love them!!

In this field is it possible for someone to be a full time professional, earning a livable income?
Yes but it takes time, I have been doing it for almost 4 years now! I work 6-7 days a week and very long hours. There is a lot involved in clothing design – currently we are designing winter 09, planning for Equitana in November, organising an entire riding kit for a Japan riding college and setting up a distribution network overseas. It is constant!

What are the general steps taken to be able to design and sell clothing for a particular demographic?
Firstly you need to know your customer – as my customer is teenagers it can be difficult! They change their style so quickly but having a teenage daughter that loves horses really helps. Once you are happy with your product you need to find representatives that can take your products to the stores to write orders. You also need to be on the cutting edge of fashion and trends in your field.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing designing clothes for those in the equestrian industry?
DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Realise that the industry is a niche and very small in Australia and when you are in a niche market you need the niche to be large to make it viable – that is why we are now perusing the overseas market.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
I have always wanted to try Show Jumping but it has been a long time since I have been in the saddle due to the fact that my closest near death experience was on a horse when I was 21! Now I am older I have lost my nerve – but who knows, one day I may JUST GET OVER IT! One of my best selling tee slogans!!

Favourite horse memory?
Seeing our horse Leisha try to pick Cassie up with her head when she fell off at a Gymkhana. She was a beautiful horse!!!

Future goals?
To be the Roxy of the equestrian industry bringing young girls funky clothing they can wear in and outside of the horse arena! Also to distribute across the globe!

Best thing about your sport/profession?
Horses and fashion!!! Is there anything else!!

“I never play horseshoes ’cause Mother taught us not to throw our clothes around.” - Mr.Ed

tag: australia, competition, online jobs, horse business, horse camp, equitana, equestrian clothes, riding clothes, giddyupgirl, horsey clothes

As someone who really isn’t artistic, I’m amazed at what I find others doing with horse related things, or depicting how we see horses whether it be through photography, sculpting, painting, drawing, you name it. One site that I’ve recently found is Wire Inspire and inspire it sure does! Artist Angela Hook took the time to answer some questions regarding her unique art.

Have you always been interested in horses and when did you start bringing horses into your wire artwork?
Yes, I have loved horses from day one… Typical horse-crazy girl. It was no surprise that the first thing I made when I was experimenting with wire was a horse! (here’s a photo of my first wire sculpture).

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
Well, I board my horse, so I don’t see him every day… Maybe 3 or 4 times a week. My art studio is open to the public 5 days a week, and while I’m here I am surrounded by my artwork, which is primarily of an equine theme.

In this field is it possible for someone to be a full time professional, earning a livable income?
It is… I would not consider myself a ‘full time’ equine artist, as I also do graphic design work, but there are many successful examples out there.

What are the general steps taken to be able to create and sell your own artwork?
There are many different options…I started by attending some Christmas craft shows with my work. Through that, I met other artists and learned of opportunities to sell my art through shops and galleries on consignment. Over the years, I have been juried into larger art shows and begun selling online as well. This year I had my first solo show at the community art gallery. By constantly marketing yourself, you increase the awareness of your work and ensure collectors that you are serious about growing your reputation and value as an artist. Some artists choose to have agents or galleries represent their work, while I decided to build a gallery right at my house so that I can make my art available to guests who visit my studio.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing an artistic career relating to horses?
One of the internet communities that I belong to is the Equine Artists Guild and that might be a good place to start. Looking at all of the different styles and mediums out there and learning as much as you can about the industry.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
Anything, really! I’m very interested in the popularity of natural horsemanship these days and I’d like to learn all that I can about horse psychology.

Favourite horse memory?
Wow… There are so many. But a highlight for me as a teenager was when the Lipizzan Stallions stayed at our barn and we got to help bathe these amazing creatures the day before their show. It was the horse-lover’s equivalent of being back stage at a rock concert!

Future goals?
I have recently been working with equine photography and painting too… I would love to keep learning and practicing and using my creative skills to capture and share the beautiful spirit of the horse with others.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
I think the best thing about a career in the arts is perhaps the flexibility. It may not be for everyone, but I really enjoy working at night. This allows me to spend time during the day riding!

“A horse is the projection of peoples’ dreams about themselves-strong, powerful, beautiful-and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.” - Pam Brown

tag: equine art, job benefits, graphic design, contemporary art

Founder of Diamond D Graphics, Susan Davis kindly answered some questions about the business she set up that uses her graphic design skills to turn out business cards, websites, stallion flyers, letterheads, logos, brochures, ad design and much more, all relating to horses.

Have you always been interested in horses and when did you start out in graphic design?
I was born in love with horses and drew pictures of horses all the time. As an adult I have bred and raised American Paint Horses for 30 years. I went back to school at nights for graphic design in 1998 at the age of 43.

I had been working as a secretary up to that point in my life. My boss at the time died of liver cancer in 8 weeks and that spurred me to follow my passion of art and change my career. I also started Diamond D Graphics that same year. But I didn’t quit my secretary job and go full time with Diamond D Graphics until 2002.

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
Pretty much 24/7! ha ha. I live on a paint horse farm and raise paint horses plus my graphic design business is based around horses. The majority of my clients are horse businesses or related to the horse in some way, like cowboys or western artists.

As a graphic designer focused on equines, is it possible for someone to be a full time professional, earning a livable income?
Yes, you can make a living being an equine graphic designer. It’s a nitch market, but like any profession, there is a high amount of competition in the field. In 10 years of working on building my business I am just now to the point where I make enough to support my lifestyle of living on my horse ranch. So it does not happen quickly.

What are the general steps taken to be qualified to provide this service for a fee?
You have to know horses inside and out. I’ve grown up with horses, have shown horses and raised and sold foals all of my adult life. So I know what an ideal horse confirmation should look like in many breed types. Because of this, I know which pictures show off each horse to his best for marketing purposes.

My graphic design services are here to help my client market their horses and get results and that can only be done if I know how to show off their horses to their best ability. Including focusing and showing off that horse’s best attributes. If the horse has a fault in their confirmation, I know it and do not use pictures that show their faults, only pictures that show off their assets. I also have studied pedigrees of horses for 30 years and can talk to clients about their horse’s bloodlines and be knowledgeable about their breeding.

Customers like that I know their horse’s bloodlines and are familiar with the spelling of those horse’s names. Knowing horse “talk” with words as simple as “broodmare” are important to my customers. I have to know the horse business inside and out.

Then of course I have to be artistic and have the knowledge of the computer software to create beautiful works of art using horse photography and my own creative skills. I have spent years perfecting my artistic ability using Adobe Photoshop software. I also am constantly learning new techniques with ongoing study and training of the software.

One more thing that is important is to have people skills and be positive. I have an outgoing personality so it is easy for me to visit with customers about their marketing goals and always with a positive outlook.

To own your own business, no matter what that business might be, you have to have passion. Passion is what drives you to suit up and show up to run your business every day. Owning your own business is a 24/7/365 a day deal. You need this to be successful in running a business.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing graphic design?
Get a good education in graphic design. Practice your computer skills constantly. Get a job working as a graphic designer for a company first.

I worked for an advertising company for a year before going full time at home with my business. I learned alot at that job which gave me the confidence to go home and be a full time graphic designer. Plus you see if you like the job. Working for a company is great too. You get a regular paycheck. You won’t have a regular paycheck with your own business.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
I’m learning how to throw a rope right now. That is new for me. I work with so many cowboy entertainers, I thought it would be fun to try a new skill. My favorite activity though is trail riding on my paint mare Jewels. This is my mental relaxation time and I love this more than anything.

Favourite horse memory?
That is a tough question. I am a competitor and love to show my horses. I won a World Championship title back in 1982 at the Pinto World Show with my yearling halter gelding. That was a memory. I showed a yearling pinto stallion in 2006 to the #1 Amateur Halter Horse in the Nation. Another great memory.

I raised both of these horses, so that makes it extra special. I also raised my #1 Paint Broodmare Spoiled Fancy who just in the last two years is on the Leading Dam’s List for Paint Broodmares and that put myself on the Leading Breeders List for Paint Horses. That’s a huge accomplishment. And one I never thought I would attain! But really the best memory of all is whenever I’m riding on my mare Jewels on a wooded trail somewhere enjoying my horse and the beauty of nature.

Future goals?
Showing my new 2008 buckskin overo paint stud colt next year. He’s beautiful. Keep growing my graphic design business. I just recently hired an office manager and another web designer. So my business is growing.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The people I get to meet showing my horses and working with my graphic design clients. I have graphic design customers all across the United States and Canada. I travel as much as I can to meet my customers in person. My #1 customer is Singer/Songwriter Michael Martin Murphey, and through working for him, I get to meet famous movie stars and entertainers. I’m racking up lots of cool memories working for him.

“The horse is a creature who sacrifices his own being to exist through the will of another…he is the noble conquest of man.” - Buffon

tag: photography, equine art, graphic design, horse magazines

Mathew Flynn of D-C Freeze Branding Services kindly took the time to answer some questions regarding this career choice.

Have you always been interested in horses and when did you start out in branding?
I grew up in the thoroughbred industry and my wife and I bought the branding business around 6 years ago.

How much of your day/week is hands on with horses?
5 to 7 days a week

In this field is it possible for someone to be a full time professional, earning a livable income?
There is only enough work for 1 full time person doing what I do in each state. I have a casual job for the last 6 months of the year.

What are the general steps taken to be able to provide this service to others for their livestock?
Anyone can buy the equipment and do a few horses and say they can brand no matter what comes out. To get consistent quality under some very trying conditions takes a LOT of experience.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing branding as an occupation?
There is only one main full time brander in NSW, SA and VIC so the potential for another in that state is almost impossible. There is not enough work to make a living for more than that. There are some who do a little as well as other work but not full time.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
I enjoy watching top horse people do their thing whatever that may be.

Favourite horse memory?
First horse I bought with my own money. He is still sitting out the back at 25 yrs old.

Future goals?
To be able to play better golf.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
I get to see some very good horses and good horse people.

“Wherever man has left his footprint in the long ascent from barbarism to civilization we will find the hoofprint of the horse beside it.” - John Trotwood Moore

tag: horse stud, australia, horse breeds, horse identification, seasonal work, branding

Coming for many avenues relating to horses, Ty Granger was a few years back recommended to create a saddle for the American Movie ‘Ghost Rider’, due for release in 2006. Having started building saddles for himself in 1988, he has acquired a wealth of knowledge and kindly took the time to answer some questions regarding this profession.

Have you always been interested in horses and when did you start creating custom saddles?
I started riding 33 years ago and started competing in Rodeos when I was 16. I started doing some leather work when I was about 12 and continued until I was good enough to do repair work for a local Saddler. This turned into a fulltime job and I learned to make saddles in the shop in Dayboro working for Geoff Hutson.

How much of your day/week is horse related?
I ride pretty well every day, we have a roping arena and cattle and 9 horses to keep in competitive condition.

In the saddlery field, is it possible for someone to be a full time professional, earning a livable income?
I have been a full time saddlemaker for the last 7 years and we live quite comfortably.

What are the general steps taken provide this product/service?
Our saddles are custom made for each of my clients. This starts with a tree that we build from wood and then cover it in rawhide all made to suit the needs of the customer. The saddle is made for the finest leather imported from the USA and then finished with custom silver trim which we also make and engrave.

Any advice for those interested in running a similar business?
I believe that you should have an understanding of what a horse and rider need to compete at their best. You also need to have pride in the work that you do and be able to put a good finish to your product.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
I would like to try driving, I have a little buggy that I have been rebuilding and would like to train a couple of horses to pull it.

Favourite horse memory?
I trained my first rope horse when I was 16 and it went on to break the Australasian record for Breakaway Roping with the young lady who bought him from me. That made me feel pretty good.

Future goals?
I hope that I can continue to improve my workmanship and keep on enjoying my work.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The best thing about my work is I get paid to do something that I love and I get to play cowboys every day.

“No hour of life was lost spent in the saddle.”

tag: horse business, leather work, saddlery, saddlemaker, leather repairs