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A Bohemian dream: Gypsies and horses put on a show

By Pat Murphy/Correspondent

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Hostess Celeste Huston hops on her Gypsy stallion St. Clarins. / Contributed

A Gypsy Affair was one of the most unusual events of the season. It was a Bohemian dream, full of color and pageantry. Flags of many nations decorated Cielo Celeste Farm representing both the people attending and the origins of the horses being featured in this marvelous horse party. The grassy outdoor dining area, filled with umbrella-tables, sparkled with colored streamers. Adding to the glitter and glamour was the social sheen of celebrities and horse breeders from several states. Over 150 guests arrived by horseback, auto and limousine, and many came in costume.

Jackie Stallone, Sylvester Stallone’s mother, was delighted to see her son’s saddle from the movie “Rhinestone” on display. It is encrusted with silver, gold and diamonds. TV talk show host Skippy Lowe sat with author Dan Busby and his wife, former Hollywood columnist Rona Barrett. Rona remarked, “This is just a fantastic party. The grounds are decorated so beautifully, and the horses are exciting to see!” Valley icon, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., looking trim and fit, played it smart and sat near one of the fans that emitted a cooling mist into the warm summer day.

The Gypsy theme was chosen because Valley resident, Celeste Huston, is one of the foremost breeders of Gypsy Horses in the United States. Her Cielo Celeste Farm has both imported and domestic Gypsys and multicolored horses as well as the rare chocolate silver dapple stallion St. Clarins, which has a pure white mane, tail and feathered fetlocks that flow as he walks. The Gypsy horses are a draft breed, bred in Ireland and England to pull Gypsy wagons as they traveled over the countryside.

The costume contest was topped by Alison Alvino and Lennie Ayres, whose luxurious costumes glittered with jewels. Other interesting costumes were worn by Michael and Cherie Walton, Jeff Bartko, the largest importer of Gypsy Horses in the U.S., Sharon Scofield, Tim and Janine Dillon, Alison Alvino, Wyleen May, Peggy Smith, Jennifer Smith, Mohamed Alleady, Sharon Barnes and Frank and Donna Appleton and Sir Gregory.

Additional guests included Jerry Shoemaker, Jamie and Gary Levin, Shawn Sprague, Doug and Deborah Walters from Paso Robles, Sandy Eagan and Linda Cooke from Arizona, Dr. Andy Sharf and Maureen, Gerry and Nancy Williams and Kerry Perez.

There wasn’t a dull moment: Wearing a brilliant red Gypsy costume, Becca Stewart circled the dining area, astride the bold black and white Gypsy stallion Huston. As guests were enjoying their meal, a magnificent black Arabian, with Joao Serra Coelho aboard, pranced carefully among the tables. Later, a sensuous belly dancer performed with a sword balanced on her head.

A highlight of this Bohemian dream took place in Huston’s covered arena, where there was a presentation of several breeds of magnificent horses showing the crowd what they could do. Bo Derek, aboard a Lusitano stallion, demonstrated the intricate steps that horses learn in the art of Marialva from the 17th century. Lusitano’s are a favorite of hers and are the traditional Portuguese bullfighting horses. Bo told us, “This truly is a wonderful day, and one that only Cici could produce. So much fun, lovely people and gorgeous horse flesh.”

Luckily, centuries ago in Portugal, Queen Marie decreed that the bulls should not be killed in the ring, as they are in Spain. So their bullrings are more of a sports arena and opportunity to see the talented horses.

Caveliero Eduardo Costa entered the arena with his Champion Brazilian Lusitanos working Marialva with a faux bull on wheels called a “torrino.” Then two shining black Spanish Arabians performed their fancy footwork as they gracefully evaded the torrino.

The program closed with Huston’s exciting chocolate silver dapple Gypsy stallion St. Clarins with Portuguese rider and trainer Joao Serra Coelho, performing the Marialva with the torrino. Although, being a large, heavy breed of horse, his way of going is not as animated as the Lusitano and Arabian, but he thoroughly enjoys showing his fancy footwork and the amazing things that he can do. St. Clarins is the only Gypsy horse trained in Marialva in the world.