A Special Christmas Gift for Horse Lovers: Rusty Brown Equestrian Jewelry

This site contains affiliate links. Please view our Affiliate Link Disclaimer for more information.

Are you on the lookout for a super-duper Christmas gift for your horse-crazy pals or maybe even for yourself? Well, gather ’round, because I’ve got something extra special to share with you today – Rusty Brown Jewelry!

Now, let me tell you, Rusty Brown Jewelry isn’t just any ol’ jewelry shop. Nope, this place specializes in making jewelry that’s all about horses and the folks who love ’em. And the best part? Every piece is handmade right here in the USA by veterans. How cool is that?

So, picture this: You’ve got a friend who’s absolutely head over hooves in love with their horse. They know everything about their four-legged buddy, from the way it whinnies to the type of shoe it wears. Well, Rusty Brown, the man behind the magic, he knew a thing or two about horses himself. He could spot a true-blue horse lover a mile away. And you know what he did? He started designing jewelry that’s as unique as your friend’s horse.

These pieces aren’t your run-of-the-mill horseshoe necklaces or generic shoe shapes, oh no! Rusty’s designs set true equestrians apart from the rest of the herd. Each piece is like a little treasure that tells a story about the horse it represents.

But who’s this Rusty Brown, you might be wonderin’? Rusty was a real-deal cowboy who grew up on Arizona ranches. He wore many hats in his lifetime – he was a farrier, a US Marine, a bull rider, a cowboy, and even a rodeo clown. Yup, he lived a life full of adventure, and he poured all that excitement into every bracelet, necklace, buckle, and brooch he crafted from precious metals.

Rusty’s family was no stranger to horseshoes – his dad was a third-generation farrier. So, Rusty learned the ropes on his granddaddy’s cattle ranch alongside his brothers. And let me tell ya, he got pretty darn good at it. In fact, he was so good that in 2015, he made it into the International Farrier Hall of Fame. Now, that’s some serious horseshoe magic right there!

But Rusty wasn’t just about horseshoes and farriery. In his younger days, he hopped on some bucking bulls and rode his way to the title of Arizona State Bull Riding Champion in 1956. He collected more than a hundred trophies, mostly as a fearless bull rider. Later, in the late ’60s, he put on a clown’s makeup and worked as a rodeo clown, bringing smiles and laughter to the rodeo arena.

In 2019, Rusty decided to pass the reins of his business to Erin and Zack Baayen, who had been eager to take over for years. Erin had spent 15 years working in the hoof care side of the equestrian world, so she knew Rusty Brown, the farrier, pretty darn well. She grew up on a ranch in Southern California, surrounded by 40 to 50 horses and even miniaturized stagecoaches and wagons for Shetland ponies – talk about a childhood dream come true!

Erin’s equine journey led her to meet Wes Champagne, the farrier for Triple Crown winners American Pharaoh and Justify, whom she worked with for several years. She also worked for Empire Farrier Supply and American Farriers Journal, so she’s got some serious horse cred. Erin was the perfect fit to handle the day-to-day stuff, like operations, customer service, and promotions, for Rusty Brown Jewelry. Plus, she’s a true equestrian at heart.

Now, you might be wondering who’s keeping the magic alive by handcrafting these beautiful pieces. That would be Jorge Ortiz Escobar, a U.S. Marine veteran who served for 20 years and retired from the Wounded Warrior Battalion in 2020. He apprenticed under Rusty himself and picked up the jewelry-making trade lightning-fast. Jorge’s an artist and a warrior, with a passion for perfection, making him the chief jewelry maker for Rusty Brown.

In a nutshell, Rusty Brown Jewelry isn’t just jewelry – it’s a piece of equestrian history, a testament to passion, and a treasure trove of craftsmanship. This Christmas, give the horse lover in your life a gift that’ll make their heart gallop with joy. It’s Rusty Brown Jewelry, since 1977, handcrafted for the true equestrian in you. Ride up and spread some equestrian love this holiday season!