Stallion service reports were due January 31st.  We are missing breeding information on some stallions.  If you own a GVHS registered stallion that bred mares in 2010, there will be a delay in being able to get those foals registered without the breeding information in our system. Don't make your customers who buy your foals wait on registration because you did not submit the  report. 

With alot of the country locked into snow and ice, the Gypsy Vanner events are still happening in Florida.

 

On January 8th the Florida Carriage Museum held the Festival of the Horse.   The Gypsy Vanner mare Kuchi, with Heather Caudill represented the Gypsy Vanner Breed in the Parade of Breeds portion of the program.  The crowd loved her.  The program also included "Gypsy Vanners, Carts and Wagons".  With the traveling man music in the background, Bill Ricci drove his Bowtop pulled by Esmeralda, Dave Essary drove the young stallion WR Destiny in WR Ranch's dray, and Sue McClure drove Gypsy Vanner Ranch's stallion Starbuck in Red Potter's cart (below). 
 

They all looked magnificent.  Later in the program, Heather rode Kuchi with a musical freestyle routine and once again everyone in the stands was on their feet to watch

 

Julie Anthony and Spencer spent another 2 winter weekends at events.  Spencer finished another 25 miles at the Gator Run endurance Ride, finishing 18th, and 51 minutes faster then his last months ride.  He also received all A's for condition and soundness.  They then proceeded to win the best overall preliminary marathon at the Nature Coast HDT(below), that had 21 other entries.

Meet Lake Ridge Gypsy Vanners

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

This is an interview with Laura Robideau who operates their farm in Minnesota along with her husband Paul.  

Vanner Banner:  Can you tell us your farm name and how that came about?  Lake Ridge: Lake Ridge Gypsy Horses, our farm Is on 20 Acres in Minnesota that sets high on a ridge overlooking Campbell Lake.
VB:  Did you own horses before the Vanners and if so tell us about them.   LR:  I have owned and bred Arabians and Arabian Pinto crosses for 40 years.
VB:  How many years have you owned Gypsy Vanners?

LR:  Eight years
VB: How many Gypsy Vanners do you own? Stallions, mares and foals? LR: We have 14 Vanners,  2 stallions, 10 mares and 2 colts.
VB:  How many foals do you normally have a year?

LR:  Five to Seven. 
VB:  Do you put a limit on how many foals you have a year and if so how many and please explain why.
LR:  We have 10 broodmares but we like to keep some mares open to show and ride. If we don't breed a mare that year then she has a different job as a riding or driving mare.
VB:  Do you have a favorite out of your Stallions or Mares and if so
 please tell why.

LR:  We kept a filly named Sabrina named after my daughter
she is out of Gypsy Love and British Sterling. She is just beautiful and we plan to show her in riding, driving and halter. She is just the filly we believe has it all, temperament, conformation,beauty and very athletic like her sire.
VB:  Do you feel any of your stallions or mares are prepotent in
 producing one thing or another and if so please tell us about it.

LR:  British Sterling, our stallion puts on the gentle sweet temperament and willing additude on his foals. We have donated one of his colts to a therapeutic riding school. Sterling is so gentle with our son with Downs Syndrome.  Sterling really loves kids and is so gentle and patient with them.
VB:  Do you ride or show your Gypsy Vanners and if so can you tell us  about that and what other activities you do with your Vanners and do you prefer one discipline over another or do you have a favorite discipline?.

LR:  I love to trail ride my Gypsies they are so unflappable and
will go all day. As far as showing I love the discipline of dressage which creates a very skilled and balanced athlete. Most of my riding in the past was western type. I did High School rodeo and really liked the cow work. That is now in my near future. I think lately what I enjoy the most is dancing with my Gypsies. They love the music and really enjoy performing. It is very rewarding to take my Vanners to the benefits for therapeutic riding and nursing homes to perform.
VB:  Do you train your own Vanners or do you have > someone else train for you and what age do you normally start training them.

LR:  start them out with natural horsemanship techniques and start young with saddling, longlineing and driving. I use different trainers for different disciplines. There is so much to learn from the professionals who train for a living.
VB:  Can you please tell us what you look for when you are purchasing a gypsy vanner.

LR:  The whole package conformation,movement, personality along with a kind spirit and beauty a horse that stands out in the crowd.
VB:  Do you prefer to buy from a importer/trader  or a private breeder in the North America and why?

LR: I originally went to England to look at hundreds of horses to pick out the best examples of Gypsies I wanted to breed. Now in the last 8 years we are breeding such beautiful Gypsies here in America we have a great selection to choose from. I remember one UK Gypsy saying we are selling the best to America it won't be long we will be coming to the US to buy back their offspring. I am so impressed as I travel around the US to different shows the fabulous quality of Gypsy
Vanners we have here in America!

VB:  Does it make a difference to you on who you are buying from if they show their horses or not?

LR:  Yes I do prefer buying from owners who show. Showing in different disciplines proves not only who has the best horses that day but it shows you believe in your horse enough to get out there among the judges. Everyone believes their horses are the best just like the UK Gypsies believe their breeding horses are the history of the US. Gypsy Horses in the years to come will be with the horses who themselves and their offspring have proven show records.
VB:  Have you attended a GVHS breeder/judges seminar and evaluation? How > do you feel about the GVHS  breeder/judges seminars and evaluations?

LR: I am very excited to go to the GVHS Annual meeting this month and watch the horses being evaluated. I have been to the GCDHA and been through their evaluation with my horses.
VB:  What made you decide to reg your horses and become members with the GVHS? Are you pleased in the direction the GVHS is going? 

LR: I like how the GVHS focuses on promoting, showing your Gypsies and they have valuable clinics to teach the beginner to the pro. I also like how GVHS gets out in the public from advertising to being represented all over the Country in horse expos.
VB: Do you have a specific feeding program? 
LR:  As a Naturopathic Doctor myself I really believe in nutrition not only for people but our animals. We have the ability to pick our own food, our horses do not. Our horses have a lot of missing nutrition being in captivity and it is our job to make sure they have the nutrients especially minerals. I like to use loose minerals and
let the horses choose. I also like the quad blocks called Grow Strong. Then I also grain twice a day.  I like the Patriot pelleted feed with the
prebiotics and probiotics with the worming we have to do I believe we need to keep their gut strong. I feel it is important if your horses are foraging to have your soil tested to see what is lacking or what is abundant.

LR:  I do crossbreed but the horses have to be the best quality and example of their breed. I have found that the people who own the 1/2 Gypsies do a lot of showing and promoting their horses. They believe the Gypsy part of them is what they love the best. A lot of people who have a 1/2 Gypsy go on to purchase a purebred when they can afford one. 
VB: If you have stallions do you stand them to the public ? If not please explain why.

LR:  I have 2 stallions Lake Ridge British Sterling who I stand to the public and Lake Ridge Wild Fire might be a possibility for the future.
VB: Is there anything that has happened that is special or funny with your Vanners that you can share .

LR:  We like to support our town by riding and driving into town, we have bought groceries and brought them home in the buckboard, going to the restaurant by horseback and or driving. Our favorite on a hot summer day is going through the coffee shop drive through for a extra large mocha frappe.
You can visit Lake Ridge at their Website