from Gaineyarabians.com
See the first part of our discussion with Robin here – and check out Gainey Arabians for the rich history and beautiful images of their stallions and mares.
Q: Were there any horses you were particularly attached to?
There were many! Each in their own catagory. First was a Welsh pony I had at my great-grand parents ranch. Stubborn as a mule but taught me MUCH about horses and their care. RDM Electra, a SX Challenger colt that was the winningest 2-year old halter horse in the Northwest back in the mid-seventies. After I married, I used to ride Gai Parada, who had been National Champion Stallion in Canada and the US and US National Champion Driving horse. He was strictly a trail horse for me and a sweet, smart and surefooted mount. A mark of the Gainey Arabian.
I showed quite a few Gainey horses to wins in many catagories: English, Park, Cutting, Western and Driving. Horse I actually bred stand out in my mind: Gai Argosy was one I took to the top. In the end, he had garnered 11 National Championships with one rider or another. He had huge heart and incredible talent. Never had a lame day in his life, largely due to the watchful care of his fabulous trainer, Bob Battaglia. Gaishea was the first to be born from a cross I brought into the Gainey line, Bey Shah. She was Canadian and US National Champion Mare and I was extremely proud of her. Her son, Gai Monarch, by Gai Parada, was perhaps the horse I am personally proudest of. I bred his mother; I bred him. To have him win a National Stallion Championship was enormously gratifying as a breeder. He is the only stallion in history so far, out of a National Champion mare and by a National Champion Stallion that has become a National Champion Halter horse, as well. Quite an accomplishment for us both!
Q: What are you up to now?
Largely because I have seen the Arabian world change so much in the last decade, following fad instead of following fundamentals, I have given up breeding. Gainey Arabians produced it’s last foal in 2011 but the legacy it leaves will live on through those breeders who choose to follow it. I’ll bet over 50% of all pedigrees of horses today have the influence of a Gainey-bred animal in the background. Daniel C.’s influence as a breeder with clear vision will have an impact of the Arabian for a hundred years. Quite a gift, really.
I turned my attention to writing about 8 years ago. I have written 3 novels and the first will be released July 1, 2012. NOT about horses! People may have to die before I write that one…
Jack of Hearts is a work of literary fiction set in Italy. The bones were written while I was living in Rome in 2005-6. It?s a light-hearted yet philosophical tale told by Shimoni, a small, aristocratic and privileged dog. After discovering his master?s infidelity, the little dog vows to find a way to keep his people together lest he loose half of everything in a messy divorce. Along the way he samples fine Italian food and wine, brawls with the feral cats in Rome and falls in love under the Tuscan moon. Published by Untreed Reads, it is available as an eBook anywhere eBooks are sold. My author website in www.robinfgainey.com. And I can be contacted through my author Facebook page: Robin F, Gainey; the Facebook page dedicated to Jack of Hearts or gaineyarab@aol.com where I will continue to answer Gainey-Arabian-related inquiries.
The Gainey Arabians website will be maintained, largely for historical purposes. I will continue to frequent some shows. Arabs are in my blood. I can’t imagine a life without them in some capacity. It has been a privilege to be involved in tow such important breeding programs (Field and Gainey) over the years. I feel I have contributed to something very good, very important in the evolution of the Arabian and I am honor to have been involved.
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