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At a very early age the horse had my full attention. Every Christmas I would tie a rope to the front porch post hoping that Santa would bring the only gift I really wanted - a pony. That never happened as my parents were not in a position to provide such a gift. However, this did not change the dream. All through my growing up years I found friends with horses and was thrilled to ride theirs. After graduating from college I found an unwanted Quarter Horse at a riding stable and loved him dearly until I had to go back to school to work on my Masters Degree. My career would then take me to Europe for twenty three years. During that time I would raise two daughters on my own; one of which would also be bitten by the horse bug. We moved to a small village outside of Bitburg, Germany in 1995. Soon afterwards my youngest daughter asked to take riding lessons at the riding stable just down the road. I was delighted and signed her up. Little did either of us know this choice would forever change our lives. On a Sunday afternoon we attended a little horse show at the riding school, her instructor had what she had described as "a special group of horses" he wanted me to see. The back door of the arena opened and his young daughter came in riding the most incredible horse I had ever seen. It was brown and white and had a massive mane and tail that dragged the earth as he sped past us. His feet were blanketed in a profusion of feather and I was spellbound. I would spend the next two years in search of answers to my many questions; I would eventually purchase a mare for my daughter and then I would find and purchase - the horse I had waited a lifetime to have - his name is Bandit and he holds registry number 70 in the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society Registry which now boasts 1600 plus horses. My love of this horse would cause me to study a culture; to admire the work they had accomplished; to get to know and have the greatest respect for the Americans who would found the first registry in the world to honor this unknown breed - and would lead me to have my own farm for the preservation and promotion of The Gypsy Vanner Horse. I retired from a thirty year career with the Department of Defense Schools completing my career at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. I currently serve as the Executive Director for The Gypsy Vanner Horse Society. Together with Jerry and Carliss Henderson I co-own and operate Belle Rose Farm in Sterlington, Louisiana. We are proud breeders but strive to use our Gypsy Vanner Horses in conjunction with equine assisted education and therapy programs. You can find Joyce under Breeders.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Joyce Christian -Breeder- Gypsy Vanners
