A Jacquee Gillespie Hackamore

 

Many thanks to V. Norris for kindly helping me acquire this thrilling example from a master of model braiding.  I have written of Jacquee's work before now,  Braidwork by Jacquee Gillespie  but this is only the second piece of hers I've been able to snag.  I had commissioned a bridle by Jacquee back in 2018.  So it's been 7 years since I've had even a chance of obtaining one of her pieces.  That's typical for this great artist.

As my earlier article mentions, those fabulous cheek buckles are handmade in sterling silver by Jacquee.  She is a fine silversmith in miniature.  When the hackamore arrived the silver was much tarnished.  It's taken me a couple of days to polish it;  that was a real job.

Of course Sassy, called Tawny Gold in my herd, makes the photography into something more than typical.  Without apologizing, you're going to be seeing a lot of this girl.

Somehow she has a look of Colette Robertson about her.  Pert face!

 The slightest change of angle changes the look in the eye.  Compare the above with our opening picture.  Oh Stone, I gotta admit you've figured eyes very well.

 Except maybe here.  Does it look like there's something in her right eye?  Look closer:

 Detail is king.  You might think it's easy to shoot this horse.  Au contraire.  From one angle it's hard not to make her butt look too big;  that head really is small.

 And from the other angle, it's even harder to prevent that near fore from looking much too long.

 I'm doing what I can.  Zooming out helps.  Since this post is supposed to be about tack, here's a laid out view.

I discovered that this very hackamore had been featured on Jacquee's website.  Although I don't know exactly when it was made, my discovery then can date this hackamore to havieng been in existence in 2015.  

Photo by Jacquee Gillespie

As mentioned in the earlier post, Jacquee used dog and alpaca hair for her mecates.  This is an approach totally different from my own, yet it gives a texture ever-so-much closer to the real thing.  I'm afraid it also makes it harder to adjust and "play with" the hackamore.  Adjusting this piece (to fit Tawny) is what caused the kink in the reins, seen above.  It should smooth out with gentle use and time.

Close up:  The heel knot (black & white) is made with real horsehair.

 Notes from Afield:

I now have a rough estimate of when my next book will come out:  Sometime in August of this year.  Alas for BreyerFest!  but one cannot go faster than fate allows.  BFest attendees will have the opportunity to see my working copy, all printed out, which should be almost entirely finished.  I will also have horses for sale, as well as other items of interest: model horse-drawn vehicle wheels and items, assorted small HSOs, a couple dogs, and chinas such as Hagen Renaker.  See you soon!