Not long after
World War II, the gypsies in Great Britain sought out to create an ideal horse
for their caravan. They wanted “a small Shire, with more feather, more color
and a sweeter head.” To create their “vanner” horse, they began using selective
breeding methods. For more than 50 years, the gypsies’ horses and breeding
methods went unnoticed until an American couple, Dennis and Cindy Thompson,
happened to spot a unique looking horse in the English countryside.
The Thompsons were
very curious about the black and white stallion with the flowing mane and
feathered feet. His name was The Log. When they took their inquiries to his
owner, Roy Evans, they got an invitation to Appleby, the oldest horse fair in
the world for gypsies. They spent ten days talking to gypsies who were buying
and trading horses so they could do research on the horses and record their
findings. They studied the selected herds of quality horses and found the
similarities between them before deciding to bring this undiscovered breed back
to America.
Cindy Thompson meeting Cushti Bok, then named The Log. Photo from gypsygold.com
In doing so, the
Thompsons acquired The Log and a stallion named Bill, owned by Tom Draper,
after some negotiating. The Log was renamed Cushti Bok, which means “good luck”
in the gypsies’ Romany language, and Bill was renamed The Gypsy King. Cushti Bok
became the first registered horse for the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society, founded
by the Thompsons November 24, 1996. The Thompsons imported a total of 16
horses, the two stallions plus 14 mares. With these horses they opened Gypsy
Gold Farm in Ocala, Florida.
Cushti Bok. Photo from gypsygold.com
The Gypsy King. Photo from gypsygold.com
Using the knowledge
they gathered, the Thompsons used Gypsy Gold to reproduce the magical horses
they saw amongst the gypsies. They have been an inspiration for others to start
breeding farms or become involved with the Gypsy Vanner breed. Gypsy Vanners
are seen today showing in driving, western, hunt seat, dressage, and in halter
just to name a few of their uses.
Though Cindy passed
away in 2002, Dennis and Gypsy Gold are still breeding top horses today using
the descendants from the original 16 imported horses. The farm lost Cushti Bok in
2014 and The Gypsy King in 2015 at the ages of 22 and 23 respectively, but
their legacy still lives on. Five stallions currently stand at Gypsy Gold, two
being sons on The Gypsy King and one the son of Cushti Bok. The farm still has
some of the original imported mares and daughters of the late stallions as
well.
There does seem to
be something fairytale-like about the Gypsy Vanner, beginning with their hidden
origins and the gypsies. Today the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society continues their
mission to preserve the beloved horse of the gypsies and share the magical
breed that captured the hearts of Dennis and Cindy Thompson in the English
countryside.
Photo from wrranch.net
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