Galloping Through a Fairytale: Florida’s Gorgeous Gypsy Vanner Horses
There’s so much to see in Central Florida – from wonderful springs to Wizarding worlds – but one of the best attractions of Ocala is The Gypsy Gold Horse Farm!
What is a Gypsy Vanner Horse?
Originating in England, this majestic breed sets the standard for steeds of knights-in-shining-armor.
magical quality about themselves. (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Standing 13.2 hands to 15.2 hands high, this horse is sturdily built and considered “a small draft horse” or “people-sized” draft horse.1 With their flowing manes, lush tails, and feathered feet, the Gypsy Vanner Horse is certainly more stylish than your average workhorse, even giving the Budweiser Clydesdales a run for their money.
Although the poster-foals for the Gypsy Vanner Breed are usually a stunning piebald (aka gorgeous film noir black and white), this breed is not a color breed, so that it can come in any pattern or color.2
The beautiful Gypsy Vanner Horse isn’t just about looks, though. This horse also has a heart of gold. Dennis Thompson, who has been instrumental in recognition of the breed, said,
just pierces your soul. (Photo: Adobe stock)
“It’s the kindest breed of horse I’ve ever known, the most people-oriented horse I’ve ever known. . .they just want to please you.”3
Today, a herd of these sweethearts keeps busy pleasing their many admirers in Ocala, Florida. As you’re getting ready to trot on over to the Gypsy Gold Horse Farm, you may be thinking, but wait, didn’t you say these horses were from England? That’s a bit of jaunt from Florida.
Good catch, reader!
The story of the Gypsy Vanner’s discovery is a bit like a heart-warming Marguerite Henry novel, so get cozy with a cup of tea and read on!
From England to Ocala
Some Floridian friends, like alligators, seem to be prehistoric holdovers. Still, one glance at the Gypsy Vanner Horse will leave you wondering if they aren’t descendants from the pages of mythology.
Although they would make the perfect Pegasus, the Gypsy didn’t exist until after World War II. (The jury’s still out on whether they can secretly fly.)
After the War, the Romany people, or Gypsies, of Great Britain dreamed of breeding the perfect caravan horse. The goal was “a small Shire, with more feather, more color, and a sweeter head.”4 The Romany’s began selectively breeding Shires and Clydesdales, eventually incorporating Dales ponies and Fell ponies into the bloodline.5
The result was the Gypsy Vanner Horse – a magnificent, versatile, and gentle creature. But despite being a true masterpiece, the breed remained unknown and unrecognized until Dennis and Cindy Thompson of Ocala, Florida, were visiting England.
While driving down the country roads in 1995, Cindy spotted a truly magical-looking horse. Most folks would have acknowledged the creature’s beauty and kept driving, but the Thompsons were compelled to turn around. It was as if there were some invisible string tying them to that horse.
“We walked up to the fence and the horse came running over to us, and we instantly fell in love,” Dennis said.6
He and Cindy went to find the farmer, who introduced them to the horse’s owner, a Gypsy named Fred Walker. The Thompsons became fast friends with Fred, and after laborious research, concluded that Fred was the master of an unrecognized breed.7
Back in the States, the Thompsons developed the world’s first registry for the new breed in 1996. Now all they needed was a name. They went back and forth between Romany Horse and Gypsy Vanner Horse, but the decision came down to Fred Walker, the man behind the vision.
“Why,” proclaimed Fred, as they sat cozily together in his caravan, “Gypsy Vanner Horse is the perfect name. That’s what they are, a Gypsy’s vanner horse.”8
In the English Chambers Dictionary, “vanner” was defined as “a horse suitable to pull a caravan” but was ironically removed for lack of use the same year the Gypsy Vanner Horse became a recognized breed.9
Eventually, Cindy and Dennis imported the first 16 Gypsy Vanner Horses to the United States, starting their Gypsy Vanner stud in Ocala.10 Among the imports was the foundation sire, Cushti Bok, the very stallion that started their discovery journey in England. His name means “good luck” in Romany, which couldn’t have been any more fitting for the Thompsons.11
While it seems like the perfect storybook ending, that was really just the beginning.
In 2015, there were over 4,000 Gypsy Vanner Horses registered in the United States.12 Today, the breed continues to be popular and even has several adorable Breyer models – including a sparkly, unicorn Gypsy Vanner. (We said this was a fairy tale, didn’t we?)
The Thompsons and the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society work hard to uphold their mission statement: “to bring honor, recognition, and a better understanding to these horses which the Gypsy people love so dearly.”13
You can become part of the story, too, when you meet the sweet-hearted horses at the Gypsy Gold Horse Farm.
Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Tours
Each tour at the Gypsy Gold Horse Farm is led by none other than Dennis Thompson himself. So it’s a special experience to listen to his first-hand account of discovering Cushti Bok, how he and the Gypsies befriended one another, and how he and Cindy built the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society from the foundations of a mystery.
You’ll be taken on a walking tour of the farm, where you’ll get to meet and greet the lovely stallions, mares, and foals who live on the farm and continue the legacy of their magical breed. (We recommend bringing some carrots to share with them! They love treats almost as much as making new friends!)
In addition to meeting the horses, you’ll also be given a photo-op with a Gypsy Vanner Horse! The moment is definitely worthy of posting on the ‘Gram or pasting in a scrapbook.
Once you’ve stroked the velveteen muzzle of a Gypsy Vanner Horse and watched them nearly fly across a field on their feathered feet, that old Romany proverb begins to make sense. . .
Gypsy gold does not chink and glitter, it gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark.
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