During 2010, GHA members from all over the USA found many opportunities to show the Gypsy Horse and to demonstrate its versatility and sterling qualities to the public.

May 29th-30th (Tryon, NC)—Belladonna Gypsy Farm fielded stallion Cash Man in Red at the Carolina Carriage Club’s HDT. Driven by Southern Pines, NC, trainer Alphonzo (“Fonz”) Hargrove, Cash placed 1st in cones and 3rd overall in a combined score of obstacles, cones, and dressage.

June 13th (Camarillo, CA)--Linda Enger participated in the Adohr Farms Drive on June 13th. Organized by the Whip’r Snappers Driving Society of Southern California, the drive took place on the working Adohr Farm, which produces strawberries and raspberries. Linda put her lovely mare Allure to her antique surrey, one of about 20 rigs participating.

June 18th (Spangle, WA)—Midnight Sun Ranch’s Michele Bournonville and daughter Kyanna showed mares Kiah and Zaira in the Spangle Days Parade. Located in The Palouse, the northwest’s major agricultural region, Spangle Days was originally a harvest festival held in the fall. Since the local farmers were so busy in the fall, Spangle Days was moved to early summer. This was Kiah’s and Zaira’s first public outing, and both calmly took the noise and crowds in stride.

July 23rd-25th (Lexington, KY)--Member farms Bootleg Express Draft Farm and TNT Gypsy Horses attended BreyerFest 2010 at the lovely Kentucky Horse Park. Three generations of TNT’s Tidwell family attended and two generations participated in the drill team which comprised the Gypsy Horse demo. Members of the drill team were dressed in stars and stripes and Bootleg Express’s 6-year-old Laken Adkins held the American flag.

August 28th (Bristol, TN)—Royal Grace Farm fielded gelding SFG Royal Silver in a schooling show held at Journey’s End Farm and took the blue in the Two and Under Sport Horse in Hand Class.

Sept. 16th (Los Alamos, NM)—Cielo Celeste showed its stallions Huston and St. Clarins in the Los Alamos Labor Day Parade. Elicio Ortiz, CC’s stallion and ranch manager, rode silver dapple St. Clarins, who was decked out in an Art Perry silver saddle, and both riders were dressed as charros.

Sept. 18th (Aqua Dulce, CA)—Linda Enger’s two Gypsy mares, Allure and Clononeen Kilcorran Bree, were part of a 6-horse team participating in the Aqua Dulce parade, which opens that county’s fair. The remainder of the team belonged to friends Valerie Daidah and Ken Parrillo.

Sept. 25-Oct. 10 (Lexington, KY)—Member farms Blarney Stone Acres and West River Gypsy Horses performed exhibitions and greeted attendees to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held at the Kentucky Horse Park. BSA’s Kelsey McNamara rode Diana in a jumping exhibition, and trainer Kristin Posner performed a dressage exhibition with stallion Sailor. WRGH brought its 18-year-old stallion Nobby, who greeted visitors, especially children, with the innate kindness and exquisite manners of the distinguished gentleman he is.

Opportunities to display the Gypsy Horse are increasing. Visit the Gypsy Horse Association’s web site www.gypsyhorseassociation.org for an up-to-date list of upcoming shows and other events in 2011. In the meantime, the officers and Board of GHA wish everyone a Happy Holiday.