News from Gypsy Vanner Horse Society

     Judith Warner has extensive judging experience in many breeds. Holding a USEF license in Arabians since 1977, Andalusians since 2002 and Friesians since 2005 as well as non USEF judging licenses in AMHA, AMHR, and ASPC, she added Gypsy Vanners to this list in early 2009. Judith has a long list of national and international competitions she has officiated, all over the world, as well as serving as a clinician for Friesian judges seminars, and working as a Friesian Horse Society Inspector in 2008 and 2009. She has recently added Gypsy Vanner Horse Evaluator to her bio when she served as an evaluator at the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society evaluation in Ohio in 2009, and is soon to begin another evaluation in Florida coming up February 2010.
      Attendance at the Gypsy Vanner Judges seminar in February 2009 to obtain her license was not her first exposure to the breed. She judged the Gypsy Vanner classes at the NEFHC Classic Horse Show in Topsfield, Massachusetts in 2005 and has since judged at the Gypsy Dream Park Classic Show in May 2009, and is scheduled to judge a show in 2010 while also serving as an evaluator, and a member of and advisor on the GVHS show committee.
      When asked about her experience judging the Gypsy Vanner she stated that she had a very good impression of the horses and the people at the New Jersey show in 2009. "It was a beginning show experience for many of the exhibitors who were eager to learn and were grateful to have some pointers. Everyone was cheerful and the overall feeling of the show was good. I have judged breeds whose horses have been exhibited in this country for over 50 years, I enjoy judging an emerging breed, or to say it another way, I enjoy the enthusiasm and appreciation for the horse which new exhibitors demonstrate when in the show ring. Having been a teacher for 35 years, I really like helping people in their quest to learn how to present their horses better. Competent experienced judges, who believe every exhibitor's horse counts, are vital in setting the stage for exhibitors successes which in turns adds to the GVHS growth. "
       In response to the question, How do you judge conformation and athletic ability and can the Gypsy Vanner maintain true breed type and athletic ability, Judith responded; "Athletic ability is directly related to conformation in that the horse is built to do a job, form to function. In general correct conformation includes a balanced individual of good muscular development, straight legs, well set on neck, strong back and loin and powerful hindquarters, but also needs to reflect breed characteristics. One aspect of this is that within most breeds which have been developed for a good while, breeders have modified individuals to do a specific job,e.g. driving, western pleasure, dressage, and the list goes on. Even in Europe certain breeds are being modified to meet the demand for specifics, e.g. the Friesian which was primarily a driving horse is now being developed into a taller individual to meet the demands for a dressage horse market. I believe to keep the Gypsy Vanner true to its breed type, the GVHS has to emphasize original type and must guard against the use of artificial means in the show ring. Within the breed, of course, certain individuals will have more athletic ability than others and this is where judges play an important part. Judges need to keep in mind that this breed has its own athletic ability, which will not be the same as, say the Thoroughbred, which was bred mainly to race.   Given that certain conformation should be correct for all breeds, the difference in conformation is affected by breed type which also influences the way the particular breed will move and be used."
    "I think the GVHS breed standard is clear in describing the Gypsy Vanner and I think the pictures which accompany the material are very helpful as well, since it is much easier to retain an image of the ideal in your head having seen a picture."
     The Gypsy Vanner standard is taught most effectively at the judges and breeders seminars which the GVHS sponsors. This is the best opportunity for participants to lean what the standard is, by being guided through the actual procedure of evaluation of a live horse and by having to use the evaluation form to consider each detail on it, in respect to the horse. I hope that everyone who is interested in learning about Gypsy Vanners, particularly breeders, exhibitors, and judges, will avail themselves of this very important opportunity. Thanks so much for asking me to relate my ideas about the Gypsy Vanner. I am very pleased to be a part of this group and wish it the very best."
       The GVHS thanks Judith Warner for her time and comments and looks forward to having her involved with the organization and the breed for many years.