Gypsy Vanner Horse Resources
The Unicorn
by
Darrah Faye
I am having a dream. In the dream I am walking alone through an ancient forest. Cool moss is under my feet. The warm sun filters through the beautiful hardwood trees. Moisture and stillness surround me. I am looking for something very special in this magical, mystical forest. I know not what I am searching for, but I am not afraid, for I am sure she will allow me to find her. Then suddenly, as if by magic, a beautiful creature blazes into view. The sunlight gleams off her coat like pure, melted silver. She is a unicorn. She exudes great strength and a pureness of spirit. She gazes back at me with wise, kindly eyes. Surely, only my dreams would allow me to view this lovely apparition. She beckons to me soundlessly, wanting to explain...something. I go forth, but alas, my dream is ending. I struggle to stay in that dream world with my magic unicorn, yearning to know what she wanted to say. As I awaken from sleep, I am left with that great sense of yearning, but I know that this beautiful horse will beckon to me again, for I have been blessed....
And truly I am blessed. I live in a lovely cabin nestled in the woods, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have my solitude and my faith to guide me. I have a lovely daughter, son-in-law, and four wonderful grandsons. I live with four lovable dogs and four amiable cats. I am loved by some very devoted friends who look after me with very special care.
Even as a child, I always wanted a horse. I played only with the Ginny Dolls that could ride my horse toys. My best friend Anne, and I would spends afternoons in her side yard practicing dressage (we were the horses) while her big sister Louise would constantly correct us in the proper German form of instruction. We spent hours at the Voight's barn watching Louise ride her horse, Ballerina. We rode the ponies on Saturdays at Stills. I begged to take riding lessons. My mother always refused. My father was more lenient on the topic of horses. My father was in the U.S. Cavalry, and his father had once owned a horse ranch in Nebraska. One of my favorite childhood memories was my daddy teaching me how to ride a Tennessee walking horse while on vacation in North Carolina. Once, when my mother had a short stay in the hospital, Anne's mother, Lil, rewarded me for being a good girl while mamma was away by giving me a beautiful 18-inch toy Appaloosa mare from FAO Swartz. My mother was furious with Lil, feeling she should not have wasted good money on such an extravagant present.
As I grew older, I never forgot my love for the horse.
I had two husbands, who said, "Don't be ridiculous, we can't afford a horse, and besides, you'll get hurt." The husbands came and went. Still, I didn't forget....
I've been on my own for four years. Then one day I was invited to go on a horseback riding trip in Scotland. (Anne tells more on that story in her testimonial.) My friend really wanted me to go. And how could I refuse? Our other wonderful friend, Susan, was going too. In preparation for the trip, Susan and I began taking riding lessons. Who cared if we all were over fifty? We were prepared to ride horses all over Scotland, together! Sadly, I didn't get to go, as I fell out of bed one night, seriously re-injuring a disc in my back. But still I didn't forget....
Sometime after the trip, Anne called with wonderful news. She had bought a precious Gypsy Vanner filly from a wonderful woman named Lise McNamara, who lived in New Jersey. Susan also bought a gorgeous Gypsy Vanner stallion from somewhre in Belgium. Lise was also loaning Anne another Gypsy Vanner. What was a Gypsy Vanner? Lise's wonderful Web site gave me some answers. I looked at all the pictures of her lovely horses. I especially loved the picture of the horse grazing beside the tree. She looked like a magic unicorn. She really "shined bright" to me.
The first time I saw all the Gypsy Vanners I was delighted! Susan's stallion is breathtaking. Never have I seen such a magnificent horse. And he has such lovely manners! Then Susan walked me up to the pasture to see the other horse. She was standing amongst many horses that day, but I really only saw one of them — and she was looking right at me. I was transported back to that magical dream. When I met her gaze, she spoke to me. "Come closer! I am who you have been looking for. I am the unicorn in the forest. I am here to help teach and guide you. I understand your need for me. You have no need to look any further, your path travels with mine."
So the little girl's dream came true. Her most unattainable wish became reality. The fairy dust was sprinkled; the magic wand was waved. The ancient and wise unicorn appeared in the form of a gentle Gypsy Vanner horse.
Lise, I thank you with all my heart for your letting her come to me. I know she was there when you needed her so. I realize how hard it was to let her go. She shines so bright with all the love that you and Kelsey gave her. She and I have a lot to do. Along with being an inspiration for Anne to ride, a pony for my grandchildren to enjoy, I know she and I will grow together. With my wonderful friend Elizabeth's help, I am hoping to teach her to be a therapy horse. She will appear from the mist in the forest to befriend many a soul who needs help in finding the path to life. She is a beacon of light.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for giving me the courage to pursue a Gypsy horse!
The Unicorn is noble:
He knows his gentle birth,
He knows that God has chosen him
Above all beasts of Earth.
The Unicorn is noble:
He keeps him safe and high
Upon a narrow path and steep
Climbing to the sky.
And there no man can take him,
He scorns the hunter's dart,
And only a virgin's magic power
Shall tame his haughty heart.
What be now the state of us
But for this Unicorn,
And what would be the state of us,
Poor sinners, lost, forlorn?
Oh, may he lead us on and up,
Unworthy though we be,
Into his fathers kingdom,
To dwell eternally.
— German Folk Song