After World War II, the travelers (also called Gypsies) of the United Kingdom and Ireland needed a horse that could do everything: be strong enough to pull their ornate vardos, the wagons the families live in; gentle enough for the children to lead and look after, and comfortable enough to ride when needed.

Decades of mixing native breeds like the Clydesdale and Shire with various native ponies, including the Dales and Fell, created a small, colorful draft horse with a sound mind and willing nature.

The cob-type horses went unnamed for decades until Americans Dennis and Cindy Thompson fell in love with them. After much research, they imported the first ones to the U.S. in the mid-1990s.

In 1996, with input from the travelers in Europe, they named the breed the Gypsy Vanner as a nod to the families who had created the breed. The Thompsons then founded the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society.

Today, the breed continues to grow in popularity throughout the world for its beauty, versatility, good mind and gentle temperament.

Meet GG Kiss Me Kate

Born in May 2013, GG Kiss Me Kate (aka “Kate”) is a black and white Gypsy mare owned by David and Samantha Crook of Ardmore, Okla. After purchasing her as a 3-year-old, they brought her along slowly, showing her in-hand at first.

“We were committed to letting her grow and mature before we began riding her,” Samantha says.

Their plan worked. As Kate matured, she flourished in the show ring. Her title of “Winningest Gypsy Vanner in the History of the Breed” means that in her 10 years of showing, she has won more titles than any other registered Gypsy horse in the U.S.

“Since it’s difficult for a mare to compete against a stallion, we are extra blessed to have a mare that can prove her character again and again against all sexes and all ages in all divisions,” Samantha shares.

When not showing, Kate loves a relaxing trail ride, to boss and groom her gelding pasture mate, or a good head hug and a peppermint from her people.

“What I love most about the Gypsy Vanner breed is their heart,” Samantha says. “Whether you have a pet or a world class show horse, they simply give you all they have. A Gypsy Vanner would rather be with you and share your affection than anything else. Yes, Kate is pretty special, but the Gypsy Vanner breed is special, too.”

A Gypsy Vanner as a 4-H Dream Horse

Amanda Ableidinger is the 4-H leader of the Ravenna Riders in Clark County, Wash. Her unique 4-H program is made up almost entirely of Gypsies. She provides free lessons to members of her 4-H group, who show her Gypsies, including Hopkin’s Infinite Perfection (“Infinity”), a 2015 black tobiano mare. Infinity began her journey as a 4-H horse at the age of 2 with in-hand competitions.

“From a very young age, Infinity’s ability to quickly pick up new concepts and her love for learning was astounding,” says Ableidinger. Due to growth spurts, Infinity really wasn’t trained under saddle until she was 4.

“Once again, she picked up the training so quickly that she entered into the riding part of our youth 4-H program only a few short months later.”

Since then, Infinity has been ridden by several members of the 4-H club, finding success in whatever discipline the kids want to try, from dressage freestyle and drill team to hunt seat and western.

“Over time, we’ve introduced several other new riders/handlers to her life,” says Ableidinger. “Not many other young horses could be patient enough to work with the newest beginner rider all the way through to the advanced. She is the type of horse that caters to each of their individual skill levels and allows her rider to learn and advance in their skills with confidence.”

True to the Gypsy breed, Infinity can take four youth riders to the same show, compete in their different age divisions, and earn high points for each of them.

“Without breaking a sweat,” adds Ableidinger.

These two Gypsies demonstrate the rule, not the exception, when it comes to the versatility and willingness of the Gypsy Vanner breed.

This article about the Gypsy Vanner breed appeared in the January/February 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Many people have this romanticized image of the Romani people, in large part because of Hollywood, which has portrayed them in films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and From Russia With Love. In reality, the Romani are an ethnic group that has traveled the world for generations, migrating through the Middle East and Northern Africa, eventually ending up in Western Europe. While some of their migration was by choice, much of it was forced as they were pushed out of one country after another over the centuries.

The culture of the Romani people is rich with music, food and art, and has been handed down through the generations. An important part of that culture was, and still is, the horse. While the Romani no longer need horses to help them travel from one place to another, their horses are still treasured as a link to the past.

Late in the last century, Americans discovered something the Romani people of Great Britain had been quietly keeping to themselves: the Gypsy Vanner. By carefully breeding Shires, Friesians and Clydesdales to the native Dale Pony, they had created a beautiful, compact draft horse to pull their vardos—brightly painted and intricately carved traditional Romani wagons.

Vanners in America

The Gypsy Vanner was first brought to the U.S. in 1996. People fell in love with its heavy bone and broad body, all in a compact package. Though originally bred to pull wagons, the Gypsy proved to be a great riding horse, versatile in many disciplines.

Much of the Gypsy Vanner’s appeal lies in its striking appearance. The breed’s long, flowing mane, thick tail and heavy leg feathering are unmistakable, especially when combined with the Vanner’s small body. Although many Vanners come with pinto markings—often black and white tobiano—every horse color and pattern is seen in the breed.

The Gypsy Vanner—also known as the Gypsy Horse and Gypsy Cob—once numbered only a few individuals in the U.S. Today, the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society alone counts 8,500 registered Gypsy Vanners. The group also has registered horses in 17 other countries.

Since the Gypsy Vanner arrived on American shores, the breed has proven to be successful in dressage, competitive driving, jumping, ranch work and on the trail. They also compete in Gypsy Vanner breed shows in a variety of classes, including western pleasure, English, hunter hack, halter and ranch riding.

Dressage is becoming particularly popular for Gypsy Vanner riders, and the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) recognizes the breed in its All-Breed Awards program, which is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. In 2017, a Gypsy Vanner stallion named Starfire’s The Five Card Stud was named USDF All-Breeds Reserve Champion, beating warmbloods in the dressage arena.

This year, the Gypsy Vanner is celebrating 25 years since the breed arrived in America. To commemorate, the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society is holding its 25th Anniversary Gala in November 2021. Because the organization was established in Ocala, Fla., when the first Vanners arrived in North America, Ocala was chosen as the location for the event.

A stunning breed with an exotic history, the Gypsy Vanner is an eye-catching horse whose popularity is growing in leaps and bounds. Although somewhat rare compared to breeds that have been in the U.S. for many decades, the Gypsy Vanner is becoming so well known, it’s hard to find a horse lover who hasn’t seen or heard of it.

This article about the Gypsy Vanner appeared in the November/December 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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I had grown up riding. I was the stereotypical no-fear, horse-crazy girl. And in a flash, that love had been taken over by heart-seizing fear. Just talking about horses would cause my heart to race and my breathing to get shallow. It was a fear that couldn’t really be reasoned with; it overpowered my body and made me want to run in the other direction.

Goal of Overcoming Fear after a Riding Accident

But deep down, I wanted to get back on again. Finally, my husband said I should try. My first step was to go to an expo, just to be around some horses. We watched a mounted archery demonstration, and it sparked a passion in me. I wanted to do that. For the first time in eight years, something was battling with the fear. It gave me a goal—something to focus on.

For the next two years, I would slowly push my fear down, thanks to a dutiful older Norwegian Fjord mare. She not only helped me get over those essential first steps, but I learned mounted archery with her.

The first revelation that helped me was to set small goals. One was just to get on. Then, to walk around. Next, to try and trot. I didn’t canter for at least a year.

The second thing I discovered was to listen to myself. If the voice inside me told me not to do something, I listened. I needed to take it slow, and if all of me wasn’t ready, then I didn’t do it.

Third, I needed a dream—something to stay focused on that made me want to ride so badly that I could fight the fear. And that’s where a Gypsy mare came in. Ever since I saw my first Gypsy horse when I was in high school, I was smitten. As a little girl who had dreamed of owning a Clydesdale, they seemed perfect.

In June of 2018, I found her. She was not too far away and was named Merida, after the bow-wielding Disney princess from the movie Brave. Could it be more perfect? One look into her eyes the day I went to see her and I knew she had to be mine.

Go Bitless?

She and I bonded quickly, thanks in part to my use of positive reinforcement training. But I could tell she wasn’t happy in a bit. My trainer suggested bitless. So did a friend at archery. But that scared me, which was odd, since I had grown up riding in hackamores.

I knew I didn’t have more control with a bit then I did bitless, but again, my fear used the excuse of the unknown to rear its ugly head. But I wanted my mare to be happy. So, I got a sidepull.

The fourth important revelation I had for conquering fear is to breathe. Music helps psychologically, but also you have to breathe to sing. I sang a lot that first day as I swung my leg over my now bitless mare. She was so much happier! We have been bitless ever since, even for competitions.

Which brings me to my fifth discovery. Competition. It gives you goals, something to focus on. It gets you out of your bubble with other horse people. I really found my confidence at shows.

Since 2018, Merida and I have competed at local open shows, breed shows and International Mountain Trail Challenge Association (IMTCA) mountain trail events, all bitless. She was the 2019 and 2020 Ambassador Mare for the Gypsy Horse Registry of America and the 2020 Halter and Performance Mare Champion.

We’ve won high-point awards at the open shows, and a Reserve Champion Trail title at a breed show. She was the 2020 worldwide high-point winner for the IMTCA pony division. And we were the 2019 International Registry of Bitless Equestrians’ Horse and Handler of the Year. But her most important win was helping me gain my confidence.

Remnants of Fear After a Horseback Accident

I still get a little fearful now and then. Unknowns are what really drive my fear, I think because it was an unknown horse that bucked me off. Now I actually push myself to do unknowns. In March 2021, we competed in IMTCA mountain trail bridleless and came in 4th place. That was a huge deal for me, not because of the placing, but because I had the courage to take my girl bridleless outside of our own arena.

I am not sure the fear will ever leave me completely, but I’ve learned how to stop listening to it—to respond to it with: “I can do this. You are wrong. You don’t have power over me,” instead of letting it control me. If you are struggling with the same fears, just know you are not alone. You can do it. Just take it one step at a time at your own pace.

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At night, the families would camp, turning their horses out to graze in nearby fields. During the day, they moved steadily onward in search of work on farms or toward towns and villages where they could sell their wares.

This was the life of Roma people throughout the last half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, before cars and mechanized farm machinery changed the way they lived. These days, it’s not unusual to find the Roma in England and Ireland living in permanent homes. Others continue their traveling lifestyle, but now they do it by car.

Even though times have changed, most Roma people still have a place in their hearts for these horses, including Gypsy Vanners, Gypsy Horses and Cobs. Many continue to keep these breeds, sometimes even hitching them to antique wagons in a celebration of the old way of life.

An Evolving Breed

No one knows for certain how the Gypsy breeds first came to be. The Roma people do not keep written records of horse pedigrees, using only word of mouth to keep track of the heritage of each horse.

Some believe Gypsy horses have been selectively bred for hundreds of years. Others contend that Roma communities only began breeding these horses deliberately in the 1940s. Either way, the breed type is distinct now and becoming more popular every year.

American Gypsy Breeds

Although Gypsy-bred horses were a common sight in the United Kingdom for decades, they didn’t make their way to the U.S. until the 1990s. It was in America that the Gypsy- bred horses began to garner their biggest fans.

There’s no doubt that the Gypsy horse—also known as the Gypsy Vanner and Gypsy Cob, depending on the registry—has a unique appearance that has gained it plenty of attention in the U.S. The striking coat colors along with their long, luxurious manes and tails are a perfect accent to the breed’s thickly feathered legs.

Owners of Gypsy horses use them for a variety of disciplines, including driving, dressage, competitive trail riding, western pleasure, parade work, and even equine-assisted therapy. Known for their tractable disposition, Gypsy Vanners, Cobs and Horses are suitable for just about any job that requires a strong, reliable horse.

Gypsy Horse Fast Facts

• Height: 13.2 to 16 hands
• Color: Any horse color is acceptable; black-and-white tobiano is most common.
• Overall Appearance: Sturdy and heavy boned; well muscled; short coupled; deep bodied; head proportioned to the body; large eyes set well apart; long mane and tail; feathered legs.

The Drum Horse

Britain is famous for its stately traditions that go back for centuries. One such tradition is the use of a “drum horse” in certain ceremonies of state. These horses are asked to carry a rider with two large, heavy silver kettledrums in parades, exhibitions and at other events. This job takes a special horse—one that can easily carry 300 pounds and remain calm in a stimulating environment.

Although Britons have used a variety of horses for this job since the 17th century, today the Drum Horse is recognized as a breed. Containing Gypsy, Shire, Clydesdale and sometimes Friesian depending on the registry, modern Drum Horses stand at least 16 hands high, of any color or pattern, with a long and thick mane and tail, and heavily feathered legs.

They also have a quiet disposition, as would be needed to perform the tasks required of a drum horse. Since the breed was developed as a heavy riding horse, it is suited for low-level dressage, eventing, hunting, saddle seat, trail, driving and other recreational riding pursuits.

It’s been nearly 25 years since Gypsy–bred horses arrived in the United States, and their popularity has grown in leaps and bounds since that time. As more people discover the dramatic beauty and quiet temperament of these unique horses, the breed will continue to flourish.

Gypsy Horse Breed Registries

• Gypsy Horse Association www.gypsyhorseassociation.org
• Gypsy Horse Registry of America www.ghra.us
• Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association www.gcdha.com
• Gypsy Vanner Horse Society www.vanners.org
• International Drum Horse Association drumhorseassociation.com

This article originally appeared in the May 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Gypsy horses, registered as Gypsy Vanner Horses, Gypsy Cobs and Gypsy Drum horses, are a relatively new concept to most people, but not to the Romany (gypsy) “Traveller” of Great Britain.

Today, these colorful breeds can be seen at times moving with their owners as they travel to their annual gathering places. Although many of the horses are not specifically bred, an increased number of the horses have been selectively bred over the last 50 years to exhibit characteristics that create the perfect caravan horses.

The genetic makeup of the breed most likely comes from Shire, Clydesdale and native British ponies, such as the Dales Pony. The horses originate in Great Britain but are now being imported and bred in the United States and Canada.

These horses are best known as driving horses in the United Kingdom, but in North America they have become popular trail and show horses, ridden both English and western, as well as carriage horses.

Characteristics:

These horses are flashy enough to turn heads. Although not a color breed, piebalds (black and white pinto), skewbalds (red/brown and white pintos) and blagdon (solid color with white belly splashes) horses are popular.

A thick mane and tail, and abundantly feathered legs are desired. These breeds are strong, small draft types with short backs, heavily muscled hindquarters and large hooves. Horses are found in all heights, but 14 to 15.2 hands high is the classic size.

For more information:

Gypsy Vanner Horse Society www.vanners.org; The Gypsy Cob Society of America Inc., www.gypsycobsociety.com; Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association, www.gcdha.com

Breed profile originally posted on Dec. 15, 2006.

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