The Jockey Story

Our Custom Cavaliers lawn jockeys are tailored to your desired order and hand-painted by artist Lucia Bradham Millwood in her Aiken, South Carolina studio.

What all started as a bit of an experiment to create a personal jockey – based on equestrian passion – turned into a fulfilling creative outlet and business.

We’ve created jocks for families, businesses, clubs, teams and organizations all over Aiken and the Low Country.

About the Artist

I’m Lucia Bradham Millwood and proud to be the artist and creator of Custom Cavaliers lawn jockeys. From the very beginning, I was the typical “pony mad” little girl after being introduced to horses by my Aunt Beck. My creativity thrived in the margins of my grade school notebooks by doodling horses and I could not put my Happy Horsemanship and Thelwell books down for even a minute. My parents saw it all as a “phase” and my continued to grow through basic riding lessons in New Jersey and really blossomed under the guidance of Michelle McEvoy and Tim Grubb in the Hunter/Jumper world. As a teenager, my family moved to Augusta, Georgia. My parents finally agreed to purchase a five year old crossbred gelding named Deli. We kept Deli at the farm where he was bred and became quite close with the family. After several months, I was invited on my first foxhunting ride with the Belle Meade Hunt. It was opening day! I was in borrowed attire and barely knew the etiquette, but I was instantly hooked and continued to hunt for years to come.

Ribbons and trophies were never a personal goal, but becoming the best rider and partner for my horses drove the equestrian passion. I randomly showed up at Fulmer, in Aiken, South Carolina and begged Robert Hall for a working student position. He agreed. It was a lot of hard work and long days, but Robert guided every step. As riders, we spent hours on the longe line with no stirrups, Robert constantly repeating “don’t try, don’t think, it does’t matter.” What you “felt” was the goal. Not what you “thought”. It was a priceless experience learning the Fulmer Way.

A few years later, I would find myself in England, working as an exercise rider and hunt groom. I hunted with Oakley, Fitzwilliam and Pytchley and eventually visited Ireland to hunt with Scarteen and Limerick. After 5 years overseas, I returned to the U.S. to work with Sandy Cassatt of the Aiken Hounds, Charles Montgomery of the Whiskey Road Foxhounds and Epp Wilson of Belle Meade.

After becoming a mother to my son Caleb, I decided to switch careers to something a bit safer and more secure. I became an RN and worked the next 12 years as an oncology and hospice nurse. Art was still my sanctuary of peace and purpose. After purchasing my first cottage in Aiken I decided it needed just one thing – a lawn jockey! I’ve always loved them and wanted one custom-painted to match the house. I customized him and realized how much I really loved the process of painting.

My painting was fueled by a heartfelt visit from the family that had bred my first horse, Deli. Memories were soon flowing until the conversation turned to the jockey standing nearby. “Where do you get him?” And so it started.

“People in Aiken would love to have access to these!” I thought, okay, maybe a few people, ten if I’m lucky. The business took off from there and I now work full-time as an artist, still incorporating the Equestrian theme in everything I create. Beyond creating future heirlooms with the lawn jockeys, I truly enjoy pen and ink drawings, watercolors, sculpting and of course, riding horses!

I can’t wait to design your Custom Cavalier lawn jockey. Please reach out with your needs.

Lucia Bradham Millwood