Celeste Huston may hail from Hollywood (she was married to Director John Huston), but her heart belongs to Cielo Celeste Farms, where she breeds Gypsy Vanner horses.
You’ve ridden and shown a variety of horses so how did you discover the Gypsy Vanner breed?
As a child I rode ponies and later owned a 5 gaited Saddle bred horse that I owned until he passed. From there I discovered Arabians and Quarter horses, but I saw Gypsy’s when I lived with John Huston in Ireland. They were stunning! I became interested in them and like the advertisement for potato chips, “I couldn’t own just one”!
You are known for breeding unusual colors of the Gypsy. How did that start?
I’ve always been a “color freak” and I learned how to have an eye for good horses. I hope I’m known for unusual, rare colors and for the quality of my horses. Of course, it’s all in the eye of the beholder along with the experience of the handler. I’m so happy “color” horses are winning now and people are starting to take notice.
Your stallion St. Claren is certainly an example of both.
He is wonderful – but he is a stick of dynamite! He is a Silver Dapple Gypsy – the recipient of the 2012 Elected Ambassador for the Gypsy Breed and the 2010 World Champion. To be honest, I had retired from showing and didn’t feel like I wanted or needed to do it. I had a wonderful guy working with him who had great confidence in him and convinced me to do it. What an accomplishment!
What’s next on your list?
I really get excited about the unusual and “exotic” so I started crossing an Appaloosa horse with my Gypsys – the “Gypsaloosa”! I really believe in this cross, especially if you have quality on both ends.
For more information about Celeste Huston www.cielocelestefarms.com
