Dreams...Promises...A Vanner Horse Journey
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I believe I am both cursed and blessed having found my horses before I knew the Thompsons, Gypsy Gold, or the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society. I had come to understand to a degree the differences among horses bred by gypsies. My search to find and grasp the details of breeding practices that had produced my Bandit led me to the Gypsy Gold website when it first opened. I will never forget the excitement as I read the Thompsons’ discovery of Cushti Bok and how they had come over a four year time period to find the breed; to see first hand selective herds that were the birthplace of these horses; to hear from dedicated gypsy breeders their personal journey to breed horses like Cushti Bok and my beloved Bandit not once but consistently over and over again! While I too believed Dennis’ business practices of late to be less than in the best interest of everyone, in no way did I feel those choices should ever negate the amazing steps that had been taken to establish this registry and honor the work of gypsy breeders; those who faithfully shared their knowledge and love of these horses with Dennis and Cindy. Unless here in America we wanted a hodge-podge of little sturdy cobs indiscriminately bred and only worthy of being recognized as a “type”; we had best remember, write down, embrace and follow the path to the name Gypsy Vanner Horse. This has been and always will be my argument for the sake of the breed when faced with those who wish to make it otherwise. And there were those who wished to make it otherwise.
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About the Book
The author takes you on her personal journey to fulfill a childhood dream. One that leads to a redirection of her life, and the beginning of helping introduce, preserve and promote a rare new breed of horse - The Gypsy Vanner Horse.
About the Author
Joyce M. Christian
has loved horses all of her life. As a child and young adult horse ownership was prohibitive, but this did not diminish her passion for all things equine. Career and family responsibilities would create further delays – the wait would in the end bring with it an amazing reward – a rare, new breed – a horse like none she had ever encountered and far exceeding her childhood expectations. This horse would not only capture her attention; it would redirect her life. As an educator she found it fascinating that little if anything was known about the breed or its origins. Her desire to better understand this horse has developed into fourteen years of study and a tireless effort to introduce, protect, and promote the Gypsy Vanner Horse.Ms. Christian is a retired teacher/school administrator. Her career spanned thirty years, twenty-three of which were spent with the Department of Defense Schools in Germany, finally culminating at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in July 2009. In January 2008 she was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society and has served as the organization’s Executive Director. Ms. Christian has written articles on the Gypsy Vanner Horse for Equine Journal, American Livestock Magazine, and was a contributor for an article on the breed in Horse Illustrated. She has been a presenter or guest speaker on behalf of the Gypsy Vanner Horse either introducing it for the fi rst time or participating in a special program at many events to include: New Jersey State Fair Horse Show 2003, Massachusetts Equine Affair 2003; Ohio Equine Affair 2004; Dutchess County Fair – Rhinebeck, New York 2005; New York State Horse Council Annual Meeting 2008; Louisiana Equine Council Horse Expo Parade of Breeds 2010; and Southwest Louisiana Horse Expo 2010. Currently Ms. Christian lives in Monroe, Louisiana with what she calls her six treasures – Gypsy Vanner Horses – Bandit, Magic, Cushti Bok’s Lord Marlborough, Babes, Shaylee’s Bevin, and VV Mayacaymus.