Gypsy Fire
The Vanner Banner
                               May 2010
 
baby
 baby

 
 
Congratulations to everyone on your new foals.  We hope you are having a successful foaling and breeding season.  Don't wait too long to get those new foals registered.  The fee is still only $100 which also includes the DNA testing. After the horse passes 6 months of age the fee starts going up.
 
Get Ready to Show your Gypsy Vanner !
The Almost Summer Horse Show, June 18-20, National Western Complex, Denver, CO  contact www.showmetheribbons.com
 
The Northeast Feathered Horse Classic, July 2-4, Westmoreland Fairgrounds, Greensburg, PA  www.featheredhorseclassic.com
 
Buckeye Gold Cup and Futurity Event, Aug 14th, Champions Center, Springfield, Ohio, this is a double judged, double points show.  www.greatlakesvanners.org
 
Great Lakes Gypsy Vanner Horse Club Show, Aug 15th, Champions Center, Springfield, Ohio.  www.greatlakesvanners.org  
 
Continental Divide Gypsy Classic, Aug 20-22, Larimer County Fairgrounds, Loveland, CO.  www.showmetheribbons.com 
 
Oklahoma State Fair Gypsy & Drum Horse Show, Sept 16-18,  Oklahoma City, OK  www.okstatefair.com
 
All of these shows are now taking entries.  
Spencer and Julie do it again!
Julie Anthony and her gelding Spencer once again have represented all Gypsy Vanners with a stunning win at the Florida Carriage Museum and Resort ADS Arena Driving Trial on April 17th and 18th.  They finished 3rd in dressage, 1st in cones and 1st in hazzards, taking 1st overall.  Congratulations Julie and Spencer.

Spencer and Julie

Canadian Expo News
 
black Hawke at Winter FairThe Royal Manitoba
Winter Fair was held March 29-April 3 in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.  Well representing the GVHS was Prairie Thunder Ranch and several of their Gypsy Vanner Horses.  Their stallion Black Hawke (pictured) was a huge hit with the crowds, as was 9 month old Kismet, and several other horses that they exhibited.  This was the first time for Gypsy Vanners at this event.
Minnesota Horse Fair
 Shawn Sodren and Don King
Sean Sodren and his stallion Don King (pictured) were one of many horses and members who represented the Gypsy Vanners at the Minnesota Horse Fair held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on April 23rd - 25th.  The owners and their horses participated in clinics and demos throughout the event.  
 
Others who attended were Anne Crowley of Vintage Vanners, VV Rubaiyat, and Kalista owned by Robin Visceglia, Maggie Mell and VV Tresor, Lakeridge British Sterling and Laura Robideau, Pam Partel and her mare Dolly of Creekside, Melanie Kucera of Gypsy Dance Ranch, Portia Bradway.  We apologize in advance if we are leaving out anyone. 
 
The Gypsy Vanners have been attending this event for many years and the attendance is growing.  Thank you to everyone who represented the GVHS and all Gypsy Vanner owners.    
Equine Affaire - Ohio
 Shannon Shooter and Ace

The Equine Affaire was April 8-11 in Columbus, Ohio. 

Those attending representing the GVHS were Old Mill Farm, Uniontown PA, KD Gypsy Vanners BelleCenter, Ohio,  WildCreek Farm  Wapakoneta, Ohio, N'Co Gypsy Vanners Monclova Ohio, Shannon Shooter Clare MI,  Lucky Star Stables  Bluffton, Ohio  and WR Ranch  Oxford, FL.  

 

There was a Gypsy Vanner breed or spotlight demo held once each day.  Participating each day were  Mr. Bikers Connors N'Co, the stallion representative, was taken over fences by his owner Pamela Litz.  The representative for the mares was Kuchi ridden by Aerial Folk and owned by WR Ranch.  Shannon Shooter's black gelding Ace (pictured) was a wonderful example for the geldings exhibited as a western pleasure Gypsy Vanner, and Kelly Searson brought in her youngsters KD's Too Hot to Spot and KD's Buck Neigh Kid in hand.

 

Kuchi was an invited Celebrity Horse and did daily demos in the Youth Pavilion highlighting the Gypsy Vanner breed.
Gypsy Vanners at Farm Bureau Ag Day
 Gypsy Station
Gypsy Station attended the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Ag Day on March 24th.  This is an event to facilitate the agricultural curriculum in schools.  Over 5000 children with parents and teachers attend this event.  All demonstrations are hands on in some form.
 
Gypsy Vanner Horses Ocho and Zen were part of the equine demonstration.  They performed with Raye Lochert, who talked about safety and horse care responsibilities for a 3 hour period.  Afterward there was a question and answer period at which time the programs and organization that Ocho and Zen represent were promoted.  They were also available to be petted by the children, some of which had never seen a horse up close before. 
 
Ocho and Zen were a great hit and we appreciate them representing the breed so well.
Midwest Horse Fair
 midwest horse fair
The Midwest Horse Fair was held in Madison WI April 16-18.  In attendance were four Gypsy Vanners from Feathered Gold, Paddy's Dream, Feathered Gold Jasmyn, SRS Seraphim, and Mickey Finn.  They did a 45 minute interactive breed lecture as well as two breed demos in the coliseum.  Mickey Finn was also one of 25 horses chosen to compete in the Wind Rider Challenge.
Letter to the Editor
Good morning to you,
I love to get your newsletters monthly and read what is happening in the gypsy world.  I especially look forward to seeing the farms showcased and see what their plans are, and how they run their operations.  I know the answers are entirely their own, but this month one particular answer from your interviewee bothered me, I let it sit for a few days and thought about it, and while yes it is her opinion, I wanted to view mine also.  Directly i am referring to the wonderful job the GVHS is doing in training judges.  WHile a breed standard is paramount in any breed to perpetuate what the society feels are the breeds best and most unique characteristics, I think this is terribly necessary,to keep the breed alive..   The sentence which is bothering me is that the gyspy horse was not "meant" to be ridden saddleseat. I wholeheartedly disagree with this, and feel that is a very unfair statement.  Firstly, horses were not "meant'  to be anything but wild, man domesticated them and to say one breed was bred particularly for one thing truly limits that breed , and will self smother themselves in the long run.  Just as true runs with humans, not everyone is good at the same thing, at the same time, diversity and difference is what makes us all ;human or animal, unique.  I have noticed the "peanut roller" western pleasure horses shown at gypsy shows, and while this may be fashionable it certainly is not  the "natural " way a horse moves.  dressage, the ultimate of control with a horse  collection, movement , not all horses are put together to set their heads in the low tucked position so favorable with the collected movement that is necessary to be sucessful in that arena.  We have a colt who was born with his head inthe air, never puts it down, he was born with a swan headset.  We show him fine harness and saddleseat, he is barefoot, there is no pretense, and he is happy, he naturally does that,  I can say wholeheartedly that he would be very unhappy if he had to do anything else.  So I ask of your readers and your followers that they open their minds to possibilities for this magnificent breed and think outside the box.  We will show our little and newest mare in draft pony shows, as that is what she excells in, and that is what she is best suited for.  In my opinion I don't feel we should limit ourselves to one thing or perhaps two,   The world is in love with these gentle natured beauties, in whatever avenue they are persued.  I just wish for an open mind, and open heart and to receive that to which you may know perhaps nothing about, and engage the learning, as we have.
Sincerly,
Katherine Hutchison
 
If you would like to respond to Katherines letter, or submit your comments send them to Editor  
Trainer Talk - Robert C. Wayner
 
 I was first introduced to Pamela Litz, by a long time veterinarian friend
who told me that he had a very good friend that bred and raised Gypsy
Vanner Horses. She was looking for a trainer that would help her train
one of her horses for the Hunter competition ring. To this point Pamela
had difficulty finding a stable that was willing to work with her
stallion and I suspect there were also trainers who had reservations
about the ability of a draft horse to succeed in the english hunter
world. Having some reservations myself about having a stallion at our
stable I agreed to meet with Pamela and then her horse to evaluate if
she could fit in our program.

Although I had seen a few Gypsy Vanner Horses and had some familiarity
with them, I had never worked with one of this breed before so I was
anxious to meet Mr. Biker Conners N'Co. Anyone that has ever seen a
Gypsy Vanner can appreciate how I felt when he came off his trailer
fully groomed with his feathers dusting the ground as he was lead across
the stable grounds on his first visit. Immediately I was struck not
only with his striking good looks but his outstanding manners as well.
Once saddled and ready to go I was surprised to see how well Bikers
moved and how light he seemed for a draft horse.
Pamela and I decided it was a good fit for her, Bikers and Lieway Hunt
Club and Riding Academy and we began our weekly private lesson schedule.
After only two or three lessons we began introducing ground poles and
then a few small cross rails. Unlike most draft horses I have seen
Bikers seemed very light over the fences and moves very cute. He is a
very athletic horse who tries very hard to please.
Pamela has years of riding experience and is accomplished in many other
disciplines but had little experience riding english, especially on a
green horse. The things we worked on during our lessons focused on
both Pamela's technique and advancing Biker's training including
teaching him to bend, maintaining good balance, consistency of pace as
well as keeping him light on the forehand and beginning to develop his
flying lead changes.
During the 2009 show season Pamela and Bikers showed in the limit ridden
hunter division at Ohio Hunter Jumper Association and other local shows.
Consistently throughout the year Bikers amazed others with his excellent
manners -sometimes hard to believe he is a stallion - and his striking
good looks. To be honest though, we weren't really sure what to expect
when judges saw Bikers in the hunter ring competing against more
traditional hunter breeds such at warm bloods, thoroughbreds and quarter
horses. The results speak for themselves as Bikers earned enough
ribbons and points to be 8th in the year end Ohio Hunter Jumper
Association standings for the limit rider division. Pamela took Bikers
to the year end OHJA finals and earned a ribbon there as well.
Mr. Biker Conners N'Co is a special horse. He continues to show talent
with his scope over the fences, willingness to please and pleasant
movement. I applaud Pamela for her commitment to the Gypsy Vanner breed
and her willingness to challenge herself with a new discipline in order
to demonstrate the versatility of the Gypsy Vanner. I believe they will
continue to impress judges and always be a crowd favorite in the show
seasons to come.
 

Gypsy Fire

Robert C. Wayner
Trainer, Lieway Hunt Club and Riding Academy
Swanton, Ohio

A Funny by Susan Hoffman
This is too funny not to share.  I recently applied for a Pennsylvania vanity tag for my truck. I wanted it to have something to do with my Gypsy Vanner and Pennsylvania plates only allow for seven characters including letters, numbers and digits.  "Gypsy Power" is too long, so I abbreviated and sent in an application for "GPZ - PWR."  I thought it rather clever.  I soon got a phone call from the PA Department of Transportation Ethics Review Committee.  The what?  Apparently every state has one to prevent people from applying for offensive license plates.  The "PWR" triggered the inquiry and the state wanted to make sure I wasn't some nut planning an ethnic uprising. LOL! I assured the nice lady on the phone "GPZ PWR" was indeed short for "Gypsy Power" but that I was referring to a horse breed and not a militant revolution of the traveling people.  She wasn't altogether happy with the explanation, but a few weeks later I did get my new license plate in the mail.
 
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Sizzle     N'Co So Hot I Sizzle

For Sale 2009 stallion quality colt.  Pictured at 11 months old.
     Sire:  Mr Bikers Conners N'Co    Dam:  Rackli 
Sizzle is a repeat breeding of N'Co The Biker Babe.
Also available is this years breeding of Mr. Bikers Conners N'Co and Rackli, a beautiful blue eyed filly: N'Co Dial Nine One One
Paid advertisement

 

Gypsy Fire 
     Jane Towill Brown of J.T. Brown Sculptures
 
"Gypsy Fire" which is the first of her
"Gentle Giants - Series of Three"
 
 This bronze collector's piece has a custom tinted patina which depicts the dramatic coloration of this celebrated breed. 
 
Look for "Gypsy Spirit" and "Gypsy Dancer" as limited editions in 2010
 
Orders Now Accepted
Limited Edition of 35 / Swivel Base Included. 
                                              Length 22" / Diameter 10" / Height 21"
 
 For more information contact:
 June Towill Brown
 P.O. Box 4398
Inlcine Village, Nevada 89450
775-831-1313 studio/fax
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