58/ OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012 THE RIDER Herd of Keepsake Gypsy Vanners in Strathroy, Ontario


New Gypsy Vanner Breeding Farm


By Kelly Bowers


To anyone who can google, other worlds appear at the click of a mouse. A few years ago, while surfing the web, Pat Van- biesbrousk fell in love with an incredible gypsy stallion and discovered the world of gypsy horses. The impressive blue


blagdon, Natwest was owned by well known gypsy breeder, Tom Price from Wales.


Her fascination with gyp- sies lead to the purchase of her gypsy herd. Her first mare she bought last October was Black Face’s Midget Filly (sired by “The Midget Horse”, another Tom Price stallion). Her second mare, Naoise (Clononeen


Drumlish) was imported a few years back from Ireland and was in foal when purchased with a foal who was sold to a woman in Erin. Her third mare, also in foal, was Prairie Thunder Lady Charlotte and was born in May. In the spring, Pat contacted Tom Price about Natwest’s The Treasury, sired by Natwest who she added to the herd as future


sire. The six month old colt is one of only two Natwest colts in North America and arrived from Wales this summer. She also pur- chased two mares. Her 6 year old mare named The Midget’s


Drops of Jupiter (half sister to Midge) is currently in foal to Blue Boss and due April 2013. The other is Little Moses Black Diamonds, a smaller 2 year old mare sired by Little Moses. Pat’s breeding focus is on the very heavy, smaller gypsy horses, some call “proper cobs” which range from 13.2 to 14.3 hh. They are from proven lines that have the temperament and


conformation Romany breeders perfected over generations for family enjoyment. The offspring of Natwest and The Midget Horse are known for their con- formation and amazing tempera- ments. As a bonus, Natwest often marks his foals with his jagged, flashy blagdon pattern and his blue eyes.


In May, Pat moved her new herd to a property in


Ontario Silver Championships CADORA


Over two weekends in September CADO- RA (CAnadian Dressage Owners & Riders Asso- ciation) Ontario culminated the season of Silver shows with a Championship for its qualifying member competitors. Results from two shows, one in Eastern Ontario and one in Western Ontario, both with the same judges, are combined to determine the Champions at each level. The Eastern competition was held on September 9th under sunny skies at Rainbow Ridge Ranch in Greely, ON. while the Western Ontario competi- tors had to contend with wet and windy condi- tions at Blue Star Farm in Mount Albert, ON. on September 22nd. In total, over ninety horse-rider pairs competed for top spot at these Champi- onships. Congratulations to the Champions and Reserve Champions of the 2012 Silver Dressage Championships!


Walk Trot/ Rider Junior


Champion: John-Alex Duff-Wilson, Surprise Training Junior


Champion: Emily Warren, Cerengeti Star Reserve: Jossee Marleau-Vallieres, Fancy Dream Amateur


Champion: Kelsey Baker, Schatzie Reserve: Roberta Zurrer, Adrianna Open


Champion: Kendra Taylor, Sasha Reserve: Kaity Smith, Shimmy of Kastle Rock


First Level Junior


Champion: Aimee Aubin, Waskagamish Reserve: Elisabeth Brosda, White Bullseye Amateur


Champion: Kelsey Baker, Schatzie Reserve: Roberta Zurrer, Adrianna Open


Champion: Andrea Bingham, Cascade II Reserve: Annalies Baird, Gryphon Second Level Junior


Champion: Melanie Boucher, Confectioners Delight Reserve: Melissa Bayer, Jisk Like Dad Amateur


Champion: Laura Clark, KF Avatar Reserve: Alison Sims-VanZyl, Achilles Open


Champion: Christine Larose, Muddy Devil Reserve: Dianne Guiliforte, Go for Donut Freestyle


Champion: Bayer, Jisk Like Dad Reserve: Sandra St-Pierre, Lady Tweedsmuir Third Level Junior


Champion: Brynn Charron, Pluto II Fabiola Amateur


Champion: Jill Pfaff, Pamika Reserve: Kevlynn Sacrey, Renewal Open


Champion: Lisa Middlebrook, Limited Edition Reserve: Oswaldo Lazzuri Neto, Ginger Freestyle


Champion: Brynn Charron, Pluto II Fabiola Reserve: Stefanie Roffey, Wendell Fourth Level Open


Champion: Michaela Silvestri, Sirocco FEI Advanced


Champion: Lynne Poole, Frisbee Reserve: Laura-Lee Brenneman, Kumara


Champion Gypsy Vanner Horses at Ontario Dressage Championships!


Relatively new to North America, Gypsy Vanner horses were bred by the Romany trav- ellers of England to pull their family caravans. A people-sized draft horse, their breathtaking beau- ty and steady demeanor makes them an ideal horse for families, beginners and older riders as well as very willing, athletic show horses in vari- ous disciplines.


In September two Gypsy Vanner Horses competed at the Ontario CADORA Silver Cham- pionships and both placed extremely well in their categories. Four-year old mare, Sasha, of Wellington County Gypsy Vanner Horses and her rider, Kendra Taylor, of Fergus, ON took top honors as Open Training Champions and 11-year old mare, Shimmy of Kastle Rock, and her rider, Kaity Smith, of Mallorytown, ON won Open Training Reserve Champions.


VANNER FAIR 2013!


Strathroy with ten acres and an eight stall barn. A new start in a new home with a new focus on a her new horses, all under a new name, “Keepsake Gypsy Vanners”. So, that was her reply when I asked her “What’s new?” Any other news? Well, yes. She’s also expecting four foals next spring.


To learn more about the Gypsy Vanner breed and see demonstrations of their versatility save the date & plan to attend Vanner Fair, September 21-22, 2013 at The Orangeville Agri- cultural Society Event Centre Orangeville, ON. www.vannerfair.com. Gypsy Horses can also be seen in November at The Royal Winter Fair’s Spirit Of The Horse.


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