Couple’s country life makes room for Gypsy

In about a month, a Newalla couple transformed from living the city life in New Jersey to being county homeowners with goats, horses, cats and dogs, but one of the most treasured animals on the property is a Gypsy Vanner horse.
“I think we’ve always been country, but we just lived in the wrong state,” Cindy Atkinson said.
Cindy and her husband Dennis moved to Oklahoma because their daughter, Cailyn, started college in Oklahoma City. “We just fell in love with Oklahoma.”
Cindy said the couple was about to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary when she found the perfect gift. Her daughter found a picture of a Gypsy Vanner horse at a local feed store and they fell in love with the breed.
“I never thought I would be asking for a horse for an anniversary gift, but I just had to have one,” she said. “So we decided to take a chance.”
Gypsy Vanner is a brand of Gypsy Cob breed of horse in the United States. They are considered draft horses with origins in Europe. The breed was used to pull wagons or caravans for gypsies.
There is no set color standard for Gypsy Cobs, but they are known for an abundance of hair and “feathers” on their feet. The feathers are the long hair starting at the cannon bone and flowing down over the hooves.
Cindy said she chose a Gypsy Vanner because of the attitude and behavior. She said they are kind and gentle.
“They’re the best of the best,” she said.
The breed came into the United States in 1996, and today there are about 3,000 here, Cindy said.
One of the fathers that brought Gypsy Vanners to the United States is Jeff Bartko, from which Cindy and Dennis purchased their 1 1/2 year old stallion.
“We found Jeff and he matched us with a horse,” Cindy said.
Cindy had the horse delivered Nov. 4, and after three days, Cindy said the horse was at home.
“I never thought I’d have a horse for three days and it act like it had lived here for years,” she said.
Cindy hosted a Gypsy party and invited all Gypsy Vanner horse owners in Oklahoma. Those who attended the party voted on the register name. The group voted on Twilight Thunder.
“Everyone got a chance to be part of the horse,” she said.
She said the Gypsy breed is a sweet breed, and she is able to do things with Twilight Thunder that she wouldn’t be able to do with other horses.
“I’ve never worked with horses before,” Cindy said. “I’ve been able to put a saddle blanket on him and lead him around.
“Just having him makes you calm.”
Cindy said the stallion will be ready to breed in the spring, and she has horses lined up for breedings. If anyone is interested in breeding, call 856-217-0808.
Rolland Guild of Piedmont will train Twilight Thunder and Kelly Chouteau will show the horse in Gypsy Vanner competitions.
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Amanda Gire may be reached at 214-3934.