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Full-time artist and businesswoman, Gail Hought is a native
Californian, a mother and grandmother. Gail's love of riding
began when she was a little girl on the family dairy farm. What
does a little girl do who wants to ride but doesn't have a horse?
She rides her favorite cow. When her parents realized her enthusiasm,
they purchased a horse for her. At a very early age, she began
participating in gymkhana, rodeos and horse shows. Over the years,
her equestrian interests broadened to encompass four Levi Ride
& Ties and endurance riding. Gail’s lifelong dream,
competing in Western States Trail Ride, the Tevis Cup, a one
day 100 mile endurance ride, has earned her three completion
buckles between 1999 to 2001.
Gail married Eric Hought in 1966 but continued with her education
and became a registered nurse. As her family increased, she felt
the need to stay at home. Being a productive person, she wanted
to contribute to the family but be there for her four children.
By combining an interest in horses with an aptitude for art,
and starting with a Tandy Braiding Kit, Gail's talents flourished.
That was the beginning of Hought Western Tack which has become
Hought Fine Art and Leather.
Leather braiding is the artistic skill for which Gail is primarily
known. The western world recognized her exceptional talents when
the first of several articles appeared in WESTERN HORSEMAN magazine.
Featured were examples of braided tack, that included bosal sets,
for which she is most noted, romal reins and several styles of
headstalls.
The art community has acknowledged the steadily increasing importance
of Gail's braided work with honors at juried shows including
the California State Fair. Her work received the Peoples Choice
Award and Best of Show Award for three dimensional art at the
Big Bend Trappings, Sul Ross University at Alpine, Texas. She
juried the braiding category on two occasions at the "Trappings
of the American West" in Flagstaff, Arizona, and was an
invited guest speaker in 1998 at Sul Ross University's annual
show. Collector's have recognized Gail as a leading creator of
complete sets of artistically braided tack. Those with a knowledgeable
eye collect her work and have seen it rapidly appreciate in value.
Gail has written three articles for WESTERN HORSEMAN magazine
and a project oriented braiding series for LEATHER CRAFTERS JOURNAL.
In the last several years, photographs of her work have appeared
in many horse related magazines. In 2002, WORLD ENDURANCE NEWS
featured an article focusing on her watercolor painting.
Since 1996, Gail has taught numerous braiding workshops.
Encouraged by the interest shown in her work, she has written
an illustrated series of braiding books, The Art of Braiding,
The Basics, The Art of Braiding, The Bosal I, The
Art of Braiding, The Basics-Revised Edition and The Art
of Braiding, The Bosal II for the braider enthusiast.
Gail's many artistic talents have served her well throughout
the years. Braiding is but one. She creates pencil drawings,
pen and inks and watercolor paintings with a focus on animals.
Website design is another of Gail's interests. Her understanding
of art and the computer has given her the tools to create interesting
and innovative websites for herself and others. Her passion for
endurance riding, combined with the knowledge of the sport and
tack construction skills, moved Gail to create attractive biothane
tack that is functional and comfortable for the horse and easily
used by the rider.
Eric Hought is a retired teacher and has been married to Gail
for over 30 years. He became interested in leather work in 1973
along with Gail. In the early years, Gail continued her braiding
craft while Eric taught. He contributed his leather skills, as
time would allow, until he retired to devote his full-time energy
to building tack. Not only is Eric a proficient tack maker, he
is an accomplished horseman, training horses for himself and
others. As an avid equestrian, he has participated in reining,
trail trials and endurance.
Eric builds fine saddles, attractive headstalls, reins and breast
collars. His leather strap work is the foundation for Gail's
braiding. Experience has given him the understanding required
to create useful tack for today's rider.
Gail and Eric each bring a unique quality to their individual
craft that is complementary of one another. Their combined skills
produce a product of superior quality. |