This page has been set up to promote the Gypsy Royal Stud of NZ. Beside their awe-inspiring beauty; these horses are a wonderful breed that are capable of doing anything you request of them. They are a smart and willing breed that will perform any task because they are devoted to people. They love pleasing people and will try harder than any other breed of horse. All around the world these lovely
horses are working in dressage, western pleasure, English, trail, jumping, driving, barrel racing, and as pleasure riding horses. Most breeds of horses develop as time goes on and different types start to emerge. Dennis Thompson the founder of the GVHS (Gypsy Vanner Horse Society in the USA) says, “History tells us that breeds change or why would there be two Morgan horses, why doesn’t the Quarter horse look the same? And the list goes on.”
There are two types of conformation when it comes to Gypsy bred horses. There is a heavier more draft type build. These horses are designed for pulling wagons or carriages. There is a new type of Gypsy that is emerging. This is the riding type. These horses are more refined and built for riding. The riding type has a longer stride that is more flowing in their movement. This is much more enjoyable to ride compared to the high knee action of the carriage type horses. As a testament to the breed Pam Fowler Grace 80+ time USDF champion, gold medalist and 2008 Olympic contender rode The Gypsy King and she had a very high opinion of him. Pam was so taken by The Gypsy King’s abilities that she believes he could achieve the Grand Prix level of dressage. The number one driving team in North America for 2001 were Jasmine and Esmerelda.” Both of these horses were Gypsy Vanners. Also Gypsy Vanners have been known to win cattle working competitions. Whatever type of Vanner/Cob you are looking for astute buyers should remember the following. 80% of the horses that Gypsies raise are not a breed. They are a type of horse called trade horses or knackers horses. The harsh truth is that these horses were bred for the meat market in Europe. Until you develop an eye for the breed, the trade horses will fool you. Trade horses look relatively similar but have other inherited characteristics, which often include smooth legged horse breeds. Smooth legged genetics will reduce the feathering, change the temperament and often result in a less magical look. The “traders” most commonly have an unproven lineage and lack the wow factor of the true Gypsy Vanner/Cob breed. We are very supportive of preserving the rare Gypsy Vanner Horses that the Gypsies selectively bred. Our mission is to preserve these well protected and coveted bloodlines and in doing so bettering the breed itself. As this page develops it is hoped that there will develop a better and clearer understanding of this magical breed and in particular how to differentiate between the commonly grouped ‘gypsy horses’ and the selectively bred Gypsy Vanners/Cobs, in an effort to reduce the useage of these inferior horses for breeding and selling to unsuspecting buyers and at the same time diluting the purity of the true breed.
