The crew from WillowWind Stable had another successful International Stallion Expo which was held on March 08-10, 2013, this being the longest running equine expo of its kind in the US. Representing the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society they were awarded Champion again this year; this is the 3rd year in a row that the title was won by Kim & Mandy Kramar and their stallions. This year they were joined by Bill and Helene Dieck of Endless Springs Farm for the event, they are currently relocating from Maryland to Paris, well not France but Paris, Michigan, and this was to be their first public showing of any kind with horses.
This year at the event, the Kramars stallion, The Alchemist, was photographed and highlighted as advertisement for the event in the Lansing State Journal newspaper, he was being ridden by Sara Gaecke, one of Mandy's friends and also a graduate from Michigan State University's Horse Management Program.
The Expo was reported to have been attended by an additional 18,000 participants, from the previous year, which showed that the slump in equine and equine associated businesses is on an upswing.
Greeting all of the participants was The Alchemist (aka Laddy) and WW Prince Carrick the Blue (who was recently purchased by the Diecks) this was the main focus of the boys for all 3 days, there wasn't a guest to the booth that they didn't charm their way into each and every one of their hearts. When it was their turn to be initially announced for their arena showing, even the announcer had to take a long look, here is his opening, "And now entering the ring is The Alchemist...excuse me a second folks I have to take a look at this horse myself, wow, that is impressive, OK...let me start over"..." and he started over and continued, that was how the whole weekend progressed, it was like people have never seen a Gypsy Vanner before, and this was their 10th year at the show.
The booth display had all the stops pulled out, 6 large GVHS banners were hung on the walls, the 50" big screen had the Vanner Faire Playing, all their usual decorations were set up, and Vanner giveaways which included photo buttons, brochures and photos were made available. People were actually stuffed in the booth and isle watching the video, plus there were the stall visits, and it was never ending, as soon as crew members got done talking to one person more came in and it started over. When the crowds got too large it was time to move outside of the building to handle them all, it was a beautiful weekend, even for Michigan in early March.
You couldn't have asked for better stallions, being perfect gentlemen and socializing with all of the children and their parents, most commented that they couldn't believe that these were stallions, but upon approaching them they experienced true Vanners. Laddy was also invited to represent the breed at the morning Children's Experience, where local school children from the 4th - 5th grade have a school field trip before the expo opened, having an up close, hands on informational equine education, after which they toured the expo and spent time at the booth.
Mandy & Kim wish to thank Bill & Helene for joining them this year in the GVHS Booth, and for the assistance of Sarah Gaecke for participating in the Arena riding presentations, and for the booth & stall help from Karin Hullatti, (Mandy's longtime friend & Vanner Owner) Herman Graber their neighbor and Mandy's cousin Katarina Meyette, who all chipped in to maintain the stalls and field questions from the Expo participants.
