Pride of Place Stables is proud and honoured to introduce to you, Victoria, our 6 year old mare, her 2005 filly, Gwyneth, her 2006 colt, Sundance, and her 2007 colt, Duke. These are the first of the Gypsy Vanner Horse Breed (Gypsy Cob) to arrive in British Columbia.

The Gypsy Vanner Horse is a beautiful and rare new breed envisioned by the Gypsies of Great Britain.  This horse was selectively bred for over half a century from their vision to create the perfect caravan horse.  The genetic origins of the breed include the Shire, Clydesdale, Friesian, Fell and Dales Pony. 

In addition to the Vanners’ amazing looks, the breed possesses a temperament that is friendly and engaging.  Easy to train, smart, and willing, these horses have it also much to offer!  Although originally bred to pull the gypsy wagon, these horses are now being used in all disciplines, you also may see them all decked out pulling beautiful carriages, being ridden in dressage, hunt seat, western and bareback riding, whichever you prefer the Gypsy Vanner is doing it all. Fun things to do with the Gypsy Vanner: Club and country Fair competitions with the draft hores, log pulling, carriage rides, the list goes on.

A perfect caravan horse is strong, intelligent, docile, athletic, and has excellent endurance.  The Vanner is not a color breed, it is a body and personality type.  There are three height classifications, Mini Vanner , Classic Vanner, and Grand Vanner. All the Vanners types posses the same draft type body, long mane, tail, and feathering, giving the breed its magical look. 

The name Gypsy Vanner Horse is the first selectively bred horse to represent the British Gypsies. The name "Gypsy" is an umbrella word for Irish and Scottish Travelers, Romany's, and others.  The word “Vanner” is the breeds vision word and means "A horse suitable to pull a caravan" in the English Chambers Dictionary.  In England these horses are referred to as the “Tinker horses” as Gypsy folk are called “Tinkers” by the English also.

Gypsy Vanners in America - In 1994, Dennis and Cindy Thompson began a journey to understand one magnificent stallion owned by a Gypsy in England.  This stallion’s heritage was traced to Gypsy breeders in three different countries, uncovering the vision and genetics that created him.  In 1996, they imported the first Gypsy Vanner Horses, “Bat” & “Dolly” to America and established the breed registry.  In 1997 “Cushti Bok”, the horse that started it all became the first Vanner stallion in America.  In 1998, the first selectively bred horses raised by Gypsies in the world was introduced as a breed, in America. As of 2006, there are less than 450 Gypsy Vanners in North America.

Gypsy Vanner Horse, Breed Standards

Color:  The Gypsy Vanner Horse is not a color breed it is a body type, therefore all colors, markings and patterns are acceptable. In honor of the British Gypsy heritage of the breed, the following names will be used to describe a Gypsy Vanner horses color:  Piebald (black and white), Skewbald (red and white), Blagdon (any color with splash white), and Odd Colored (any other color).

Height: There are three height classifications, all having the same standards. Mini (under 13 hands), Classic (13 hands to 15.2 hands), and Grand (over 15.2)

Body: The Vanners’ has the look of a small to average size horse with a draft horse type body. 

Legs:  Clean lines, medium to heavy bone set on a medium to large hoof.

Hair:  Ideal hair is straight and silky, with curl and body being acceptable.

Head: Their heads are more refined than a typical Shire might have, set on a strong neck in harmony with the horses overall look. 

Nature:  A Vanners’ nature should be alert and willing, with traits of intelligence, kindness and docility, and could be described as a “Golden Retriever with Hooves”.