Faults in the Show Ring

Exhausted, we were packed and on our way home from Oklahoma City and the State Fair which hosts a Gypsy Show as part of their show schedule.  Reflecting on the classes and presentations, it is apparent much needs to be done to further train judges in the conformation standards.  When a judge rewards faults, we begin to see more and more faults in the offspring  and in the foal crop of those who took note of a particular stallion or mare who placed. For instance, possibly the most prevalent fault is the steep croup or croup that is less than rounded and smooth. The reference to "Bubble Butt" in reference to the Gypsy Vanner, Horse, Cob...is ...apparently,  a deficient description of the rear on the horse.More description is needed.  A steep or straight croup  was evident in many of the horses shown and pinned.  The owner will now go on to promote his or her mare/stallion as Champion or Grand Champion Mare, Stallion, or Gelding...... BUT...that croup will live on in that Mare or Stallion's offspring.  With any fault, breeders must be extremely careful with their breeding choices and not be afraid to geld or simply not breed a lovely mare when the trait is repeatedly evident in their foals.  Really good stallions are few and far between and should be as close to perfect as possible.  Mares also contribute much to their foals making it essential for the stallion and the mare to have exceptionally good conformation and great dispositions.  That brings us to pictures. Please note.... Pictures can hide a thousand faults as well as speak a thousand words!  Seeing the stallion in person is critical to making a good match.  Getting caught up in well marketed blood lines or show records is certainly not the best way to make an educated  breeding decision. No animal is perfect. Responsible breeders will be tough in analyzing their mares, their offspring, and the stallions they use.  Too many times the infamous "ego" gets in the way of being objective and in the end, our breed suffers.  If breeding for  more hair, some will neglect all other aspects of the horse, and there IS a science to the hair as well as color, size, athleticism, etc.

Just so you don't think these are the only problems born of the show ring,   Several years ago, I was aware of an owner's concern with her stallion, wondering why he did not win as she had expected him to.  I was familiar with this stallion and he was an exceptionally lovely example of the breed, and I could find no compelling reason for him not to place well.  The conformation, disposition, abundant hair, and training were all there....so what was going on in the environment that would detract from him.  Eventually, it occurred to me the changing market might be the culprit .....especially with the appearance of silver dapple, palomino, grey, red and white coloring.  Combine this with the lack of knowledge judges demonstrated in regard to the breed and it is quite possible these subtle factors were at play.  At the end of the day, it is one person's opinion, and his/her opinion may have been tainted by many things.  The message is clear.  Breed with your head, not your heart, and do what is best for the breed.  Do everything you can to maintain the breed according to the breed standard.

CHF Horses going to a FUN show! and Hannah's Story

September 15 will be a fun day!  Opps...FUN day!  A group of Seasoned Equestrians in the Springfield MO area  have come together several times this year to participate in a show series Sponsored by Seasoned Rider Magazine.  Though all ages are included, this is a great opportunity for those getting back into riding will enjoy.  A day with horses and horsey people is always rewarding. Eleven year old Hannah will be going with us this time and she will be riding CHF Clara, a four year old Gypsy Vanner mare.  Clara is very laid back so we are hoping she will be just excited enough to trot willingly for Hannah who is new to horses.  Her story is one repeated often among families getting their first horse.

 Hannah's story. 
                                                                    Chapter One:

Saving her hard earned money, Hannah was intent on buying her first horse. When Comanche came along, a lovely paint gelding, Hannah thought her dream had come true.  Supposedly he had been ridden quite a bit by another young lady; however, was being sold due to lack of interest.  It was not long before a better reason for selling Comanche became evident.  This young gelding may have been ridden, but it was by his choice in every sense of the word and sometimes not... as he took the leadership role the previous young rider had not taken.  Hannah was heart broken, and scared.  He was too unmanagable for her inexperience.  With some encouragement to sell him better than he was when purchased, Hannah began to learn about Parelli and the games.  We worked on building a relationship that was respectful and filled with trust and before long her Craigslist ad was answered and Comanche was on his way to a new rider who had a great deal of experience and in looking for a potential barrel horse, saw it in Hannah's gelding.

The lesson here is to have an experienced horse person with you when you look at a new horse and if possible, take lessons in advance of bringing your first horse home.  Also continue the lessons on your new horse, at least while you get to know each other and longer as it will enhance your skill as a rider more than you know.

......to be continued.


 

How to Revitalize Drought-Stricken Pastures - HorseChannel.com

How to Revitalize Drought-Stricken Pastures - HorseChannel.com

Ok, so it now September first!  AND....it is raining.  I never thought I would be so glad to see, smell, and feel rain ....but I am and I am not even dismayed to see lovely black and white Gypsy horses out there all muddy!  Today is a coastal Seattle day with low clouds, a mist, and a greyness that makes every bit of color just pop!  Yes, and a day off for the horses, at least, for Traveler, Cracker, Aggie, and Eiri.  We have been working, driving, grooming this group in preparation for the next GSHA Show, the Oklahoma State Fair.  It is open to all registered Gypsies, but is also a qualifying show for our Association.  This year was a first for the breed at the MO State Fair.  Hard to understand how a show committee would not want a breed that attracts SO much attention from Fair goers, but finally, we were invited.  The more the merrier is my motto! And it was a nice show and if held again next year, maybe more will bring their lovely Gypsies out for all to see!

Personally, I do not enjoy showing, but my other half is highly competitive....at least on some level.  I do enjoy the fellowship and meeting new people!  Yes, that is what makes it ok for me.  My horses love on everyone, but then they are what they are!  True Gypsy Vanner Horses!  You know, I wrote an article for a little paper this past spring titled..."What's In A Name?"...

GYPSY VANNER HORSE

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

You may ask, what is in a name?  The answer is everything!  In England, when one vacuums the carpet it is referred to as Hoovering!  When you are about to sneeze, you reach for a Kleenex.  The Brand Name becomes so well known that all other like products take on that identity.  This brings us to the term ‘Vanner’.   It refers to a very unique breed developed by the Travelers or Romany Gypsy culture.  Though the Travelers did not use the term Vanner it has become a brand or common name  in America.

When we returned from England with three horses, we arranged for our vet to examine and give any needed vaccines.  He arrived and as we were walking into the barn, he commented  “oh, I see you have Vanners”.  Not knowing whether to break out mask and gloves, I responded, “I do?”  Laughing, he told me what little he knew as he had seen one at a training barn.  That evening I researched the name and sure enough, there it was along with information about a private  organization called Gypsy Vanner Horse Society.  It seems the first of this new breed where brought into the states by a couple from Florida.  Captivated by their charm and uniqueness and given their history by a Traveler, they assumed they would be importing the very first of their type  and breed; however, it was not long before others made the trek across the pond to follow suite.  Dennis Thompson gave the breed the name, Gypsy Vanner , and began promoting  them everywhere, including us as  trademarks and  model horses. As its popularity grew, so did the organization.   It became a not for profit registry, the GVHS;, and as one organization cannot be all things to all people there are now several registries, GCDHA, GHA, and the GHRA and a show organization the GHSA.. There are also many small clubs and groups today that continue  the work of letting the world know about their special horse, the Gypsy Vanner, Gypsy Cob, Gypsy Horse, or Irish Tinker.

As the Thompsons began importing carefully chosen examples of the breed, promoting , and marketing, there appeared a sort of magical synergy among horse lovers.  Everyone wanted  to see them but the only opportunities were at big expos, farm tours, and parades.  The crowds were intense at the Equine Affairs and other similar venues.  Prices were just as high as the interest. But the common thread was the  question  asked…..Is that a Vanner?  Or may I see the Vanner?  Whether  everyone who owned the breed  liked  the name or not was irrelevant, because it now had a brand name…Gypsy Vanner.

Today, you can find them at shows, expos, parades, doing Dressage, Western Pleasure, Jumping, a few compete in Cutting contests, and many are great driving horses.  Whatever you call them, the name Vanner is not going away and it seems to me we should thank those whose vision  enabled the public  to become very attached to a wonderful, magical horse known as a Vanner!