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Vanner BannerOctober, 2011

Vanner Fair Opening Ceremony

Vanner Fair held in Ontario, Canada the last weekend of September, was a huge success.  Pictured above is the opening ceremonies.  It was standing room only the entire day, with thousands attending.

Photos

Granite Hill Photo
Granite Hill Gypsy Vanners took two mares to the Purina Pink 50 Poker Prance on Sunday, October 9th.  The event was held at Fair Hill Training Center to benefit breast cancer research.   Thank you to the Granite Hill gang for representing us all in this important issue.  Visit them at Granite Hill Gypsy Vanners
Pre Election Notice
     Members are responsible to notify the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society, in writing, of any change in their contact or mailing information.  The Society does not sell its membership list or use it for other then Society business.  The Society does maintain a membership list on the website.  If you do not want your information on this list you must notify us in writing.
     Watch for a special edition Election Vanner Banner containing Director election information.

A Trainers Vanner Journey 

Latchos Shadow 

Latcho's Shadow came into my life when he was two years old. He was in need of training and I was the lucky trainer picked to work with him. I have been breaking and training horses for 30 years. I have broke and trained many stallions over the years, so I knew what to expect. What I didn't expect was what I found inside this pure black luxuriously hairy horse. I had only heard about Gypsy Vanners, I had never worked with one. Shadow loved attention and he was the smartest horse I had ever trained. He tried to do everything I asked of him correctly. We did a lot of line driving, as I felt he was too young to break.

Finally the day came to ride Shadow for the first time. I sat in the saddle and we walked off for a wonderful ride around the farm, literally riding off into the sunset together. He was so proud to be ridden, he enjoyed the new bond we could now share together. He stayed very soft and responsive, accepting the bit and my leg right away. Shadow was smart, gentle, strong and very talented. We worked on dressage basics, everything coming so easily to him. I was impressed with the natural suppleness, submission and work ethic he possessed. He was so balanced that his canter was great from the first time I ever cantered him. He watched me work horses all day and wanted to be the next horse worked even if he was already
worked that day. We truly fell in love with one another. It is hard not to feel crazy about a horse when they are crazy about you. I have always trusted him, he is by far the best stallion I have ever worked with.

As I experience this new breed, I am more impressed with their athletic ability and easy-going temperaments. Shadow stands out among them though, he is so exceptional! We are currently first in our local dressage show series with an average of over 70%. We are more than double the points of the second place horse behind us. At the young age of four he has already earned his first perfect score of ten on a training level test! Shadow knows when he enters the dressage ring and he loves the audience. He gets excited when I pack for a show and is thrilled to be loaded to go. I took him to a registered dressage show and we improved upon our scores each time we entered the ring. People flocked to him and were so impressed by his beauty and talent. We placed in every class and showed in the open training division. We were second at that show with a 72.85%, missing first by two tenths of a point. I was so proud of my little four year old stallion! We certainly stood out among the giant warm bloods!

I don't understand why amateurs would prefer a 17 hand horse that is harder to ride and needs lunged before every show. I have given lessons on Shadow to beginners because he is the most predictable horse on my farm. Adult amateurs and children should all be riding this wonderfully talented breed. The Gypsy Vanners are amazingly easy to train and ride in dressage, and so well behaved. They are never spooky or hot, but still provide plenty of power and stamina. People at the shows are surprised and impressed when they find Shadow is a stallion.

I am an event trainer, so naturally I had to introduce Shadow to jumping. He loves it! He jumps everything I ask of him and just earned third competing in Southern Pines in eventing. People said, "Wow, you jump him too?". We are taking our competing slowly through the levels, as I propose in my eventing book, "Managing and Conditioning the Event Horse". I don't believe in pushing the horses too hard. Shadow has surpassed every expectation I have ever had of him. I look forward to earning my USDF bronze medal on him, as I am sure it will be easy for him to accomplish; just like everything else!! I am proud to co-own this fabulous stallion with Kathy Yore of Legacy Vanners.

 

Fox Fire Farms

Mysporthorse.com

Elizabeth Grisell-Short

 

Meet   WildCreek   Farm  Gypsy   Vanners
WCF logo
This is an interview with Barb Snyder of WildCreek Farm, located in west central Ohio.
Vanner Banner: Can you tell us your farm name and how that came about?
WildCreek Farm:  The first horse farm property Jim and I purchased after we got married had a creek running all along the property and there were so many wild animals that were around that creek that we became WildCreek Farm.
VB: Did you own horses before the Vanners and if so tell us about them.  WCF:  As a child my family had several ponies from the time I was born and I did 4H with a half Morgan mare.  Mid 1990's we started breeding Dales Ponies.  We sold all the Dales in 2002 to just concentrate on the Vanners, but we still have a 23 year old Spotted Saddle Horse and a 22 year old quarter horse.
VB: How many years have you owned Gypsy Vanners? WCF:  11
VB: How many Gypsy Vanners do you own ?
WCF:  We did have around 20, keeping 10 breeding age mares and 2 stallions along with various youngstock.  But a year ago we started selling and cutting back the numbers.  We now keep 4 breeding age mares, 1 stallion, 2 young fillys to raise as potential breeding mares, and whatever young ones we have for sale. 
VB:Do you put a limit on how many foals you have a year and if so how
many and please explain why.
WCF:  Yes we only have 3-4 per year because we handle them everyday, and make sure each has individual attention and appropriate
training for their age.  With less horses we can offer more.
VB:  Do you have a favorite out of your Stallions, Mares and if so
please tell why.
WCF:  Its hard to say which is our favorite now because the horses we have are all special to us. 
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.
WCF:  They are all good producers or we would not be breeding them.  Our young stallion, Touch of Class, really puts alot of classic heavy bone and body shape on a foal, and he has one of the nicest heads I have seen in the breed.   
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?.
WCF:  We have shown some in the past, but recently we more enjoy clinics and fun activites like parades, trail rides and expos. 
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 and can you please share some things on this.
WCF:  I have used a trainer to start a horse under saddle, but with the young ones I do the work myself along with extensive help from a good friend. 
VB:  Can you please tell us what you look for when you are purchasing a gypsy vanner.
WCF:  These days a horse must have a good bloodline, and DNA confirmable parentage.  They have to be correct type for sure.
VB: Do you prefer to buy from a importer/trader or a private breeder in the USA and why?
WCF:  When we started out with the breed we had to import because there were so few and no one was selling much.  These days I much prefer to purchase in North America due to quality, care, availability, and diversity in bloodlines. 
VB: Does it make a difference to you on who you are buying from if they show their horses or not?  WCF:  No, not at all.
VB:  Have you attended a GVHS breeder/judges seminar and evaluation? How do you feel about the GVHS breeder/judges seminars and evaluations?
WCF:  I have attended the seminar 4 times I learn something new everytime.  I highly recommend it to everyone.  I think the evaluations are very important and provide an important tool for breeders and buyers. 
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? If so or not please explain why.
WCF:  Because the GVHS is the most professional organization and registry for the breed.  The people involved really care about the future of the breed. 
VB:  Do you have a specific feeding program?
WCF:  We feed alfalfa mix hay, along with a high fat, low carb complete feed that keeps our horses in great condition and creates healthy foals.
VB:  If you have stallions do you stand them to the public ?
WCF:  We would breed our stallion out to a select mare or two, but in general we like to not overbreed the bloodlines, keep them more select and our foals unique.
VB:  Is there anything that has happened that is special or funny with your vanners that you can share.
WCF:  Everyday is special. We have fun with our horses and especially the babies, and give thanks everyday for them.

 

You can visit with WildCreek Farm on their website

If you would like to have your farm featured in the Vanner Banner contact the Editor

 

 

Vanner wins CADORA
Sasha CADORA winner
WCF RK Sashay, 3 year old filly, and her rider Kendra Taylor, won the season Champion title for the walk/trot test in the Conestoga region of the Canadian Dressage Riders and Owners Association.  Congratulations to owner Kathy Mutti, Kendra, and Sasha!
Welcome New Members

Mandy Carson
Phelpston, Ontario

Lisa Miller
Tyler, MN

Lori Kott
Coto de Caza, CA

Kathleen Reed
West Suffield, CT

Kathleen Jenson
Churchbridge, Saskatchewan

Phillip Hudson
Newton Grove, NC

Debra Rivers
Spulpa, OK

Earl & Darlene Seesengood
Floresville, TX

Georgeanna Gibbs
Goschland, VA

Regina Buescher
Lady Lake, FL

Mary Fellows
Sandy Hook, CT

Diana Berglund
North Platte, NE

Pat Wolfe
Lanark Highlands, Ontario

Jonathan Stewart
Empire, AL

Wendy Spencer
Nicholasville, KY
 
From the Registrar 
registrar pic
2012 has been a busy year.  The Gypsy Vanner Horse Society now has 2,366 horses registered. The number of registrations through the 3rd quarter are up 24% from all of last year.  The ownership transfers are up 5% over all last year. 

Due to a rule change your stallion reports are not due until Jan 31st but if your breeding season is over please go ahead and file your report so you don't forget!
 
This year marks 15 years since the GVHS began.  During this first 15 years horses in the regular Gypsy Vanner studbook have an F designation at the end of their registration number.  This F stands for foundation.  All horses with this are considered the GVHS foundation horses.  At the end of this year that goes away and all gypsy Vanners with DNA confirmed parents will no longer have the F on their number.
If you would still like to get your horse registered with the Foundation (F)  designation they must be eligible for the regular studbook (both parents can be DNA confirmed) and you must have the applicaiton, photos and fee received in my office no later than 12/31/2011. 


 
Futurity News
pot of gold
The Gold Cup Gypsy Vanner Futurity is now managed by the GVHS!  Due to increased interest and growth this program that began with the Great Lakes Chapter is now expanding across North America! 
 
For this year only you can nominate your 2011 foals that are already born, and sired by a Gold Cup Stallion!   Also be sure and nominate your mares bred in 2011 before year end.  
 
You can nominate your stallion at anytime once he is 3 years old or older as a Gold Cup Stallion.  See the Gold Cup Stallions featured on the GVHS website.  You can also find all the program rules on the site.  
 
For answers to any quetions or to nominate your horse contact the GVHS office.
 
Don't miss out on getting your share of the Pot of Gold ! 
 
Show News for 2012 
blue ribbon
The Buckeye Gold Cup Show is back.  This show will return to Champions Center in Springfield, Ohio on August 11th and 12th, 2012.  Mark your calendar now.
 
NEW SHOW:
FL Feathered Horse Classic & Stallion Showcase
Jan 20-22, 2012
Jacksonville, FL
Volunteer

Be a volunteer.  The GVHS needs dependable people to volunteer.   Can you design and maintain a website? Do you like to organize events?  Fund raise?  Write articles, or newsletters?  These are just a couple areas we need your help.  Whatever your skill or experience contact the GVHS office, or one of the Directors and volunteer.

 
Board of Directors






 
Vanner Banner Staff
Pam Litz
Editor

Associate Editor

Design & Distribution

 
Contact Us

GVHS
P.O. Box 65
Waynesfield, OH 45896

telephone 888-520-9777



 Advertise
Advertise with the GVHS on the GVHS website or in the Vanner Banner. 
Vardo for sale
Gypsy Wagon for Sale
as seen at the Vanner Fair
also offering 3 horses for sale sired by Comanche
offering a package deal including the wagon and horses
or purchase separately.  Located in Ontario, Canada
Contact:  George Farlow for more information and photos 
Paid Advertisment 

"Gypsy Spirit"Bronze Sculpture

By June Towill Brown, of J.T. Brown Sculptures

 "Gypsy Spirit" which is the second of Stallion Series

"Gentle Giants ~ Series of Three"

Gypsy Spirit sculpture 

Soon to be released:

 "Mare & Foal - Series of Three"

Orders Now Accepted

Limited Edition of 35 / Swivel Base Included

Length 24" / Diameter 10" / Height 18"

 

For more info:

June Towill Brown

P.O. Box 4398

Incline Village, Nevada 89450

www.junebrownsculptures.com (775) 831-1313 studio/fax