Esmeralda


Born February 1, 1998 - October 22, 2017

GVHS Registration #GV00004F

Vardo Joe x Kathlee


In Loving Memory

Esmeralda has peacefully passed away. She was a very special mare with a gentle spirit who was always willing to do what was asked of her. Esmeralda was one of the first sixteen Gypsy Vanner Horses brought to America. She helped to introduce the Gypsy Vanner Breed to America at Equitana in 1998. In addition to the wonderful foals she produced she had many accomplishments  

in the Driving World as a single, pair, tandem and a wheeler in our 4-in hand team. She taught Bill to ride and drive and with her calm spirit helped keep him safe. We were blessed to have had her with us for the past 14 years.

Rest in Peace Sweet Essy.









In 1997, Esmeralda became one of the first Gypsy Vanners to be imported to the U.S. from Great Britain by Cindy and Dennis Thompson, American discoverers of the breed. She and the other fifteen initial imports comprised the founding stock of the newly organized Gypsy Vanner Horse Society (GVHS), and Esmeralda was only the fourth horse registered with the society.  On March 12, 1997, Bill and Joanne Thorup , owners of Bit A Both Farm, purchased Esmeralda and Jasmine, another of the first sixteen,  from the Thompsons. The Thorups went on to show the pair individually and in tandem in numerous driving competitions, at which they excelled. At the 2003 Florida State Fair, Esmeralda, driven singly, placed first in the Working, second in the Turnout, and fourth in the Ladies Pleasure class. She and Jasmine comprised a Grand Champion Tandem Driving Team and made the cover of the American Driving Society’s The Whip, the premiere magazine dedicated to driving.


Some of Esmeralda’s Appearances in Print:

Horse Illustrated (her first foal was the center fold)

The Handbook of Breeds Book

2006 Horse Feathers Calendar

Western Horseman, Practical Horseman

Horse & Rider and Equus Farnam Ad

Esmeralda
Esmeralda
Look at her mane!
Look at her mane!
Essy and Puddin.
Essy and Puddin.
Calendar photo!
Calendar photo!
Always watchful.
Always watchful.
Nap time.
Wendy and Puddin giving Essy a break.
Nap time.
Wendy and Puddin giving Essy a break.
Puddin is a doll.
Puddin is a doll.
Jasmine & Essy
Jasmine & Essy
Essy & Jasmine helping make a dream come true!
Essy & Jasmine helping make a dream come true!
What a Gypsy wagon!
What a Gypsy wagon!
1998
1998
She knows what she is doing.
She knows what she is doing.
Canada 2001.
Canada 2001.
Canada 2001 with Jasmine.
Canada 2001 with Jasmine.
2000 show.
2000 show.
Essy with Joanne.
Essy with Joanne.
Cover Girl!
Cover Girl!
Tacha & Essy.
Tacha & Essy.
Katie & Essy.
Katie & Essy.
Katie loves to ride Essy.
Katie loves to ride Essy.
Do you think they love each other?
Do you think they love each other?
Love  :))
Love :))
A fabulous photo!!!!
A fabulous photo!!!!
Nice wagon.
Nice wagon.
She is with Bob Giles.
She is with Bob Giles.
The back 40.
The back 40.
She is a wonderful horse.
She is a wonderful horse.
So darn sweet.
So darn sweet.
The 2008 Ocala Expo.
The 2008 Ocala Expo.
I love this photo.
I love this photo.
Wendy, Lauren & Shirley.
Essy was so easy to drive.  :)
Wendy, Lauren & Shirley.
Essy was so easy to drive. :)
rrrrrr.jpg
rrrrrr.jpg
Essy & Ariel.
Essy & Ariel.
Driving with Jasmine again.
Driving with Jasmine again.
Too cute.
Too cute.
Coming at you!
Coming at you!
A halo over her head.
A halo over her head.
Essy at the WR.
Essy at the WR.
Essy was the go to horse.
Essy was the go to horse.
Always willing to give children a ride.
We trust her completely.
Always willing to give children a ride.
We trust her completely.
Playing with Panda.
Playing with Panda.
A fabulous head,
A fabulous head,
She can move.
She can move.
She is a tank.
She is a tank.
More fun.
More fun.
They are both my favorite horses.
They are both my favorite horses.
I love this photo.
I love this photo.
Wow.
Wow.
Too cute. 
I love her.
Too cute.
I love her.
“See you later.”
“See you later.”