James and Christine Taylor live at Brackenhill Stables, in Durham, in the North East of England. They both come from families who have kept Gypsy cobs for generations. They were married in 1990 and built Brackenhill Stables with their own hands over the next few years.

They strove for a place to call home,

not only for themselves, but also for

their beloved cobs.

From a very early age, people around

James realised he had been born

with a talent for painting and drawing

the cobs that he was growing up with.

This was encouraged, not only by his

own family, but also by the rest of

the community he was growing up in.

James' great grandparents, circa 1880

James at Appleby Horse Fair, aged 14 (red jumper round his neck)

  Photo, Times magazine 1974

 James continued to travel the horse fairs, selling his

artwork and china. He is now widely recognised as the foremost Gypsy horse artist in the world. He keeps the age old traditions alive, not only with the cobs, artwork and china, but building and decorating waggons and drays in the traditional way. His great grandfather had also built waggons and drays. This is a skill which is highly respected among the Gypsy community.

In recent years the popularity of the Gypsy cob has grown at a phenomonal rate overseas which unfortunately has led to some horses being exported which do not fit the gypsy breed standard

here in the UK, and as the knowledge of the breed is growing overseas, some people have been left disappointed with the horses they have purchased. We have always put QUALITY before QUANTITY.

James and Christine's wedding, 1990 with Gypsy horse wedding cake

  James with his pot cart James with Charlie Brackenhill Stables 2007