THE CONTEST IS NOW OVER BELOW ARE THE RESULTS
The WINNER IS:
#11) by Danae Chacon with 743 votes
Thank you to everyone who submitted essays and took the time to vote in our contest!
TOP TEN FINALIST ESSAYS
Entry #3) by Alley Anguiano
Why is a Gypsy Vanner my dream horse?
For many years I have dreamed of owning a true feathered friend. I have dreamed of the day I could look out my window to the pasture below and see my very own gypsy horse. I chose to first spend my money on the rescue of former PMU horses. I drove to North Dakota last year and purchased a beautiful shire mare. She is the mare who will be bred to Dazzle Dance if it is so decided.My other dream horse whom I aptly named Bella Donna.
Elegance, pure fantasy, decadence. Just to see into the eye of the gypsy and see the reflection of your hopes and dreams staring back at you. I consider this to be unequivically the most glorious feeling one can experience.One truely amazing moment I believe can only be found in the eye of the gypsy.
The romance, the history,the wonderful legacy these horses have achieved not out of strict bloodline but instead through the love of a gypsy man and woman who not only appreciated the ability of their horse but specifically bred these beautiful creatures down through the generations. Secretly holding the legacy of these horses quietly and securely locked in their memory passed down generation to generation. Oh how I would have loved to be there and gain the knowledge and respect of the gypsy people! To own a part of this legacy would be the most honorable gift I will have ever recieved in my life with exception to my three sons. I can only dream that someday I will walk out my door to the pasture and standing in the morning sun outlined by shades of wispy fog and flower petals floating in the air will be my vision of a treasured past. A vision beyond my greatest expectations and beliefs of one such I have never fully experienced. Seeing the elegant outlined form of a feathered horse, the newest addition to my final reality will only be found when I approach, take a deep breath and look into the eye of my very own gypsy. As I close I would like to thank you for experiencing my daydream. Best wishes and good luck to all.
Perhaps dreams do come true. Thank you for the priviledge of writing and expressing my love for a Gypsy Vanner horse.
Entry #5) by Judith Rewerts-Rusch
The sun is setting. The shadows are sly and mysterious. Look toward the forest view, the sun peeks through the forest trees. There she stands. Majestic stance. Her mane and tail slightly blowing in the breeze. She peers around the trees. The sun kisses her shinny coat. Her feathers flow with every movement. Her eyes gentle and loving. She bounds out of the woods with a smooth, powerful gait. Her mane, tail and feather flowing through the warm sun. She tosses her head her long forelock and mane gently sway as they blow in the breeze. Her graceful gait carries her over the fallen log, as she tucks her powerful legs under she bounds over with grace and ease. The sun hugs her as she lands. Her coat look like it shines and sparkles in the bright sun light. The pounding of her hooves hit the ground and with each step your heart races as you witness the elegance, power and beauty of the Gypsy Horse. She catches a glimpse of a forest creature, she bends in her mighty neck as she rears in playfulness. Her majestic body casts shadow on the nearby pond. The reflection of her beauty boast in the waters view. This is the horse that was brought to us human by the Fairy's themselves. The Gypsy horse is every young or young at heart fantasy. Welcome to the reason I love the Gypsy horse.
Entry #6) by Emily Sandra Amanda Taylor
Why is the Gypsy Vanner my dream horse? To answer any question like that means looking at what really makes you feel truly happy in life,or what makes you feel the most like yourself,or something that has a presence that moves you so much more than with just it's astounding beauty. Something that makes you feel like your in the presence of something beyond the normal, something special far beyond anything else you've ever imagined. To me, no other animal, no other life experience matches the first time I met a Gypsy Vanner, it changed my life forever.
When I was little I read stories about magical horses in far away lands, and with their long flowing mains and tails, were ridden in grass meadows and shadowed forests by princesses. That was what I and many other little girls got to grow up with, but once we got older we were all told to grow up, to stop day dreaming about fictional horses. I never would have expected to grow out of horses,but suddenly they all became so alike, my day dreaming thinned and I found refuge in art. that was it.
My grandmother was talking to me one day, she told me a story from when she was my age and she lived in England.I told her how I wished there could be horses like the ones I drew. ( all paint horses with feather on their legs and long mains and tails if you can believe it) She told me that once when she was out with her family, she saw the Gypsy's and their caravans. She told me about the colors and the music and the amazing horses. She said to me they were called Gypsy Vanners and then she showed me some pictures of them.
That day part of me died,but another was born in her place, one who had a strong love for these horses, one who knew she had to meet one, and so I and friends of mine with Percheron's went to the Royal. They were showing at the Royal winter fair that year and asked me if i wanted to go with them. I accepted and once we were there I got to meet my very first Gypsy Vanner.
His name was Jelle, an amazing black and white stallion farm. Something about the first time I locked eyes with that stallion gave me a craving for their presence. He pushed his nose up to the bars of the stall and I got to touch him. I felt honoured to have touched such an animal,I actually cried. I was very embarrassed but I couldn't help myself.
About three months later I persuaded my Mother and Father to call up the closest Gypsy Vanner farm and let me see a Gypsy again. By chance (or just good luck)the closest Vanner was a mare called Nyme, the first Gypsy Vanner to Canada. Once again, I walked out into the pasture and my legs were shaking,I got to meet her and another mare named Crystal and finally a young colt they had.
Every time I get to meet a Gypsy Vanner it's like a restart button on my heart, life getts brighter and I start having the best dreams and I feel whole again. I dream of the day a Gypsy vanner will walk into my own stable and then maybe life will be complete,I live for that day.I will make it come true because the Gypsy Vanner is my dream horse and when I can be with them I can be me and I can be the one thing every girl wants more than any thing else to be.
Free.
And that is why the Gypsy Vanner is my Dream horse!
Entry #8) by Nona Jones
A Gypsy Vanner is my dream horse for many reasons. Over a lifetime of falling in love with horses, from the age of 8 or so, I have come to know the particular things that attract me. I have also read as much as I could get my hands on about horses (starting with the famous "Black Stallion" series) over the years and know something about good comfirmation. First of all, I love piebald colors and paints. I believe they made a paint into a breed some time ago but I have always been partial to the color combinations. They indicate sure-footedness and agility at the very least. The next most spectacular trademark to me is the Gypsy Vanner's showy foot feathers and full, rich mane and tails. One cannot resist this etherial quality in a horse. Another trait that is most valuable is the stamina and durability that comes from some sort of draft breed characteristic due to the pronounced muscle tone in the body of the Gypsy Vanner. In learning about the breed, I have read that they do not require as much feed as a typical draft horse, which is a bonus. In observing the videos from the web site, I see a beautifull, fluidity of gait and movement that makes me want to drive to Texas and jump on one bareback!!!! Here I am at the most compelling trait - the face and intelligence displayed in the large, well-set eyes of the breed. The face has an andalusion quality to the shape of it which is highly desirable.
The Gypsy Vanner's expression seems to be saying, " I am the noblest, most loyal creature on the earth!" I had the oppurtunity to see and pet one in the flesh not long ago and the silken feel of their coat is fine, indeed. I love to click on the website to watch the magnificent stallions cavort in the pastures. It soothes me as I watch them showing off and I stand speechless in awe of their perfection.
Alas, maybe one day I will be able to own one, having finally moved out of the city for I know that a Gypsy Vanner is truly my dream horse.
Entry #9) by Dan Swift
Throughout history there have always existed tribes and clans of folk who are struggling or thriving. History has an almost inexhaustible number of examples of those who thrive and persecute those who struggle,in an attempt to maintain their power. One group of people who have been engaged in a struggle for their existence are those who are labeled "gypsies". Nomadic tribes from all over eastern Europe have had to rely on their ingenuity and resourcefulness to continue to exist.
As a wandering people, gypsies have long come to depend on the horse as a means of helping them move, and it should come as no surprise that pride in their equines should be of paramount importance.
If given the opportunity to own a horse, I would welcome the Gypsy Vanner as my ideal. Aside from their obvious attractiveness, with regard to colour, they are the epitome of both perfection in form and function. Compact, strong, lower to the ground than most draft horses, they are perfect for what they have been bred to do. Their even temperament is a point which is so crucial that without it, the breed with all it's other fine attributes would be "for naught".
When I see a Gypsy Vanner, I see the horse with which I would like to work so as to help preserve the integrity of the breed. I would love the opportunity to have others, unfamiliar with the breed, see such a great horse working, and perhaps enlighten others who have no knowledge or understanding of the breed. Perhaps this breed, though designed to pull heavy objects will also find a role in pulling people's close-mindedness and prejudices from their psyches.
So many other breeds are heaped with attention, and given praise for the jobs they do. I find these horses to be somewhat like heirloom vegetables or rare breeds of stock which have filled a small niche and have adapted perfectly to their role, but now as society is changing, there seems to be little affection or attention for these, though there is no way of knowing if perhaps one day, mankind will lament the day these tomatoes,sheep, goats, chickens or horses have been allowed to disappear.
If afforded the opportunity, I would relish the chance to work with such a magnificent creature and to have it serve as an ambassador to awareness and acceptance of not just alternate ways of farming, or living, but of people or creatures who are different from us. Each with special gifts and purpose.
The Gypsy Vanner is a wonderful breed. Moving with such strength and agility, while showing a vigor and temperament that reflects the strength of those who evoked all his attributes throughout many generations, I would be honored to have such a source of strength and power and beauty in my company as I work to build my homestead
Entry #11) by Danae Chacon
A Gypsy Vanner horse is my dream horse because sometimes I come across a horse that seems as if it has that 'fire' passion resonating back at me but just from viewing it its as if all Gypsy Vanner horses are that way. When I lay awake and look at the moonlit world outside I wonder if there could be a horse as beautiful and match this view of the world outside, I sit back and conjure images in my mind of what this horse must look like and the most prominent horse of my imagination is a horse that resembles a Gypsy Vanner Horse, animals can make dreams come true but the Gypsy Vanner horse is the kind of horse that seems as if it can make all aspects of the dream come true and more...all inexplainable torrid unleashed. All horses ignite something beyond a strong passion in my veins, and the Gypsy Vanner Horse with it's striking beauty and unexplainable aura would only fuel a larger wildfire. The Gypsy Vanner Horse seems as if it holds the beauty and the esoteric ardor the burns in a few unique hearts. The Gypsy Vanner horse seems as if it is also a tractable horse which is very important for both to make all outreaches of an ardent and unique horse lover's mind to come true for both the horse and the person. Because although, there are many approaches to this, this appraoch will allow the horse and person to reach every gentle goal that will make them both exceed to nirvana. Every horse deserves the best possible life and the Gypsy Vanner horse is no exception. Although if a horse has 'bad' habits it still deserves the best possible life and I would say if for whatever reason the horse has bad habits I will know that they did not come from the life it would have from me and if it did I would find any possible way to fix them and give the horse the best possible life, and that it what a Gypsy Vanner horse deserves and even if it did not have any bad habits or does or did ANY horse deserves the best life including the Gypsey Vanner horse. Although sometimes these bad habits are developed even if the horse has had a good life for whatever reason, but I'm just saying what I would do if they occured. The image of a Gypsy Vanner horse strolling up to you the sheer suspense and excitement this would bring would be indefinable, and the contact with this beautiful breed would be beyond the advent , apart and in its own way. This is one of the few horse breeds that seems as if they can make those beautiful dreams come true. The Gypsy Vanner horse is truely gold as they say, if I had the choice of going to the moon and owning a Gypsy Vanner horse I would chose to own the remarkable Gypsy Vanner horse. This is the reason, the part I can explain, why the Gypsy Vanner horse would be my dream horse. Also they're docile enough that I could cup my hand around their ear and whisper,"I love you."
Entry #12) by Vickey Mullett
What I see in a Gypsy Vanner is electrifying beauty. These horses have the strength of a big horse the gentleness of a little one and the beauty of any horse I have ever seen. I would love to own one of these magnificent animals. There is so much freedom in their manner and ability to learn. They are strong but gracious. Their flowing mane and tail and the feathering on their legs are of no other animal I have ever seen. They are like a mystical horse in the night that you only see in your dreams and want to be on one to feel the strength beneath your body as you ride off into the sunset or the morning sun. They seem to have gentleness about them just by looking into their soft eyes. I am in just "awe" of this beautiful creature that God has made without flaws in their beauty. The Gypsy Vanner looks so perfect in every way. Their movement is that of a ballet dancer I see their steps in just the right movements unlike any horse I have ever seen. The gracefulness of these animals as they are running is so perfect in every way. To my amazement I watch these horses as they run and rear up and see the power and strength behind their body but when a rider is on one you can see such sweetness about them. Their sweet faces that look back at you and soft eyes, look to say I am here to please, I am here to satisfy. I read somewhere that someone said it was Golden Retriever with hoofs but I see them as â Pegasusâ that has wings of beauty. They are so colorful but unique in every way. Looking at all of the horses and seeing different ones gives me a since of peace and tranquility and love in my heart for these great horses. Owning one can only be a dream but a beautiful one that is for sure. The Gypsy Vanner does not seem to be a high spirited horse at all but a tender minded one with great ability to give love and to learn. Owning a rare breed would be the most amazing thing in my life. To be able to show this horse and feel like youâ re a winner even when you not, even if you came in last in a show in your heart your horse is first with you every time. To see peopleâ s faces as you ride by. To see the amazement on their faces as they looked at this wonderful and beautiful horse with such grace. I love the power these horses have but yet gentle enough for a child to walk or ride. To have a horse that not many people have would be the greatest dream I have ever experienced in my whole life. The pounding of my heart in beat with the steps of this gorgeous horse. To wake up and see him/her in the pasture and running free would be amazing to me. I have been around a lot of horse but these are like no other horse in the world. Not only beauty, strength and the ability to be gentle in spirit are great traits in a horse of this magnitude. This is a Cadillac of all horse to me. My dream horse â yesâ , because of their extremely high level of intelligence makes them for easy training. They seem to want to be with people and to seem to want to please them in the highest manner. I have never in my life seen a horse with all these qualities until now. Horses are a source of freedom, to be able to ride with the wind in your face and sun at your back, but to ride a Gypsy Vanner is more than that it is a dream in its self. These unique animals are of high ranking in the horse community and not a lot of people know about them and the more I read and discover I dream more and more of owning a Gypsy Vanner. I was always told if youâ re going to dream, dream big and dream with class. I am dreaming right now of the horse flowing mane and tail and the feathers on his legs as he/she is running and the way it looks like silk in the wind. It is just amazing how this horse can be so beautiful and pull a wagon and then go to a show and win with class and then go home and let a child ride or walk him/her. Most animals would be tired of just pulling a wagon let alone be willing to do all the other things that it is asked to do. I can in vision this horse in a wedding and the bride coming through the woods to her groom and the horses mane flowing back, and the horse hoof picking up high with the feathers on his legs flowing in the wind as they come closer and closer. Then seeing her with her beauty and the horse with his/hers and the people all standing not only beautiful horse that has such grace and he/she walks with pride. Everyone standing as they come closer and closer seeing not only one in beauty but two. In the dream that bride was me. That would be one of them most beautiful sights I could ever imagine. The horse would almost take the show with his/her beauty. I wonder and dream what it would be like to ride one of these great horses, but it is only a dream with love, compassion and happiness of someday owning a horse of this magnitude. My life is simple but with owning a horse like that would mean I would be noticed for who I am and who I am riding and what I might have accomplished in my life by owning a Gypsy Vanner. That would be the greatest accomplishment in my life as of today and there could be nothing to top that. Dreams are made to come true and I believe that someday I will own a "Gypsy Vanner"!
Entry #13) by Jennifer Rose
I grew up with quarter horses and paints. They are an ok breed for me but I have always liked DIFFERENT things. I don't like going with the 'common' stuff. I was going through a breed book when I was in high school when I saw my first gypsy horse. Naturally it was the common piebald. but that wasn't what got to me about this particular horse, but the ammount of hair that was on it! It had a forlock that covered it's whole face and a mane down to it's knees! and the feathering! It was just stunning! I also loved the fact that they are drafty, but with a slight refinment about them. Just the perfect mixture. I then started to research them online and found a rainbow of gypsy horses in sizes and colors. I've always loved horses with hair, friesians were the first that I knew about, then I came accross the gypsies. I have personally never worked with a gypsy myself, as there are none where I live, and there is no way I can afford one, But I have had the honor of seeing them in person at the equine expos and they just took my breath away. They are my dream horse for being different, rare, and just breathtakenly beautiful! And it seem like anything I really like, or say I have good taste in, is way out of reach finacially for me. This is another reason I think they make me feel like they are a fantasy breed, their up front cost to own one. When I first saw how much they cost, I cried, as most of the ones I fell in love with cost more than what I made in a year! So, they have remained a dream for me.
I myself have a ton of hair, so just picturing myself riding a gypsy at the local beach I ride at regularly, with my hair down and bareback, would just make the most perfect picture. IF I ever get married, they would be capturing the guests with their magisty. And it would be a wedding not soon forgotten. why? All because I had this wonderful horse there to pull my carriage or carry me down the beach with my groom on the beach.
I dream everyday about someday owning this beautiful breed of horse, and I tell myself I will someday, I just hope it is not when I am too old to enjoy them. Dreams do come true, I just wish this one would for me.
Entry #16 by Emily Stoll
If you're like me, you spent hours dreaming about the kind of horse you wanted when you
grew up. I always wanted to have a horse that had not only strength and beauty, but also a kind and sweet temperament. Several years ago I asked a friend of mine what her favorite breed of horse was. She replied without hesitating that it was a Gypsy horse. Never having heard of the breed my curiosity was piqued. I had to find out what they were.
The first time I laid eyes on a Gypsy Vanner, it was just as if the horse from my fantasies had come to life and become a living animal. Their strong built bodies, long flowing manes, massive amount of feathering, kind personalities, and elegant heads, stole the position of my favorite horse from shires. They look as though they belong in a fairytale with wood elves, dragons, and knights-- yet they are real. When I look at pictures of Gypsy horses I find myself using the words cute, beautiful, gorgeous, and sweet exuberantly.
Gypsy horses have a gentle disposition that matches their beauty. These horses will be your friend . Not a high strung horse that will let you take it for a walk, but then buck you off when you want to ride them. They are the kind of horse that loves to be petted not just fed. Gypsy Vanners will come running to you instead of standing there looking at you with lazy eyes or running away. I have always admired Friesians, but Gypsies have the temperament I love.
These horses have an intriguing history. Many think of the gypsies(or Roma) people as merely entertainers and thieves rather than horse breeders and traders. The Roma people bred these extraordinary horses to be hardy to survive the elements and differing terrain of their nomadic lifestyle , strong to pull their wagons and work, well tempered so that they could be handled by a child, and colorful. In fact, the status of a Roma family often depended on the quality and number of their horses.
Gypsy horses have a nice trot that doesn' t jar you up and down like youâ re in a amusement ride as too many ponies do. Despite their size they are excellent at dressage, hunter-jumping, both English and Western riding, and, of course, driving.
In my opinion Gypsy Vanners are one of the most magnificent animals in all of Godâ s creation. I wish to some day look out my window and see my dream horse standing out there in the yard waiting for me. I hope you enjoy Gypsy Vanners just as much as I do.
Entry #18) by Carol Murphy
The Gypsy Vanner horse imbues the viewer with visions of knights of old and arena jousts with armor clad knights atop them, galleries of ladies and nobles watching the games with colorful pennants flying. Their feathered feet and rich, flowing manes and forelocks and dazzling color patterns give them the look of fairy horses of exotic, ancient tales and are reminiscent of the bold, large stature horses ridden by King Arthurâ s knights. Happily they are not the size of draft horses thus it is possible for a modern rider to experience the mystique of olden days riding an animal who has the ethereal look of ancient times. Health and energy exude from every hair of the Gypsy Vanner providing the viewer with a glimpse of a spirited animal who has an obvious love for life, solid strength, intelligence, and something more that cannot be defined but attracts and grabs the viewer like a magnet seeks out steel. The combination of these attributes makes the Gypsy Vanner horse irresistible. It leaves the viewer with a deep desire to share and enrich his/her life with one of these incredible animals; to feel the Gypsy Vannerâ s power, its joy in living, and to spend a lifetime seeking to unravel that mysterious as yet unnamed and elusive quality that makes the Gypsy Vanner much more than a horse.
Official Rules
Join the fun and tell us why a Gypsy Vanner is your dream horse!
Submit your story on-line for the chance to win one of 2 prizes:
1) A free breeding to Dazzle Dance-we supply semen only-you pay for related shipping and implantation fees for your mare.
2) $500 Cash Prize
Rules:
All submittals must be received by 05/31/2009. Top ten essays will be published on our web site and voting will begin 06/02/2009. Essay with the highest number of votes by 9:00 am CST 06/15/2009 will be declared the winner. Winning essay will be published on our web site 06/16/2009. All essays become the property of GypsyMVP and may be used in future advertising endeavors. Contest is open to all ages.
Update: 05/11/2009 We have decided to publish all the essays we have received to our web site immediatly. We were expecting a bit more competition, but since there have only been a few entries we thought we would share them. The voting will still begin begin 06/02/2009 as listed above.
Update: 06/01/2009 The contest has now closed. The list will be narrowed down to the ten finalist 06/02/2009 and voting will begin.
Update: 06/02/2009 The poll is now open! Cast your vote for your favorite essay. Poll closes 06/15/2009 9:00am
