Driving

Two Gypsy Horse Association members participated in the Halloween Hustle Pleasure Driving Show held at the Conejo Creek Equestrian Park, Thousand Oaks, CA, on November 1. Linda Enger, accompanied by friend Wendy, showed Clononeen Kilcorran Bree. Linda said, “Bree of course was wonderful with everything.” Aided by Linda’s terrier, they placed second in the Carriage Dog Class.

Valerie Daidah and Gypsy Rose also competed in the Halloween Hustle and placed first in Turnout Pony, Pick Your Route Obstacles Pony, and Gambler’s Choice Obstacles All Turnouts and second in Working Pony and Reinsmanship Pony. Valerie and mini Dachshund Strega also competed in the Carriage Dog Class.

The Pelton Vanners’ Sandra Pelton and stallion D’Jango Jazz competed in the third annual Oakbrook Manor Driving Classic held over Halloween weekend at Oakbrook Manor Pony Farm in Morriston, FL. Florida Whips, a statewide driving organization, hosted the event. Jazz and Sandra placed sixth in the Working Pleasure Class, fifth in the four-kilometer marathon course, and first out of seven entrants in the Reinsmanship Class.

Parades & Rides

Jeannean Mercuri and CHF Joe Price (“Cricket”) participated in a Breast Cancer Ride-A-Thon on October 25, 2009, in Long Island, NY, to raise funds for cancer research. The trail ride was held at the beautiful Connetquot State Park. Jeannean adorned both sides of Cricket’s Gypsy apple rump with twinkle pink ribbons. Kudos to Jeannean and Cricket for participating in such a worthwhile event!

On December 5, Cielo Celeste Ranch showed in the Solvang Julefest Parade, a Christmas tradition in the historic California village. Founded in 1911 by Danish-Americans wishing to preserve Danish culture, Solvang has the appearance of a traditional Danish village and provides a very picturesque backdrop for the annual Julefest Parade.

Cielo Celeste fielded stallions Sir Huston, ridden by trainer Paul Keenan dressed as Old Man Winter, and St. Clarins, ridden by Elicio Ortiz portraying a charro, a Mexican cowboy. St. Clarins sported a silver saddle used by Art Perry in several Rose Parades. The Cielo Celeste group won first prize.

Clinics

On November 10, Grey Ghost Gypsy Horse’s Debbie Noonan, her three-year-old stallion Phantom, and trainer Terry Long participated in a dressage clinic given by Anne Gribbons, U.S. Dressage Team head trainer and Olympic judge. Held at Rose Dhu Plantation (Bluffton, SC), the clinic attracted approximately 12 horse and rider pairs who participated in individual training sessions over a two-day period with Ms. Gribbons. Phantom was the only Gypsy Horse at the event and the first Gypsy that Ms. Gribbons has trained at a clinic. Phantom was extremely well received by all. Ms. Gribbons’ comments were, “While we would expect this breed to be adorable and willing, and he is, Phantom has excellent, way above average gaits and movements for his breed. He is very forward and balanced. Phantom shows great potential.”

Owner Debbie says that she and Terry were very pleased by Phantom’s performance. As the ride progressed, Phantom, who had been in dressage training for less then 90 days, did everything asked of him. Not only did he take the whole event in stride, but he was a wonderful ambassador for the breed. Most of the clinic’s spectators had never seen a Gypsy Horse and were captivated by his appearance and tractability. Moreover, Debbie stated that the event strengthened her commitment to show the horse community that Gypsy Horses are not only beautiful but that they can also be top performance horses in their disciplines.

Please see GHA’s website at www.gypsyhorseassociation.org and GHA’s presence on Facebook for additional photos and information concerning these and other member activities.