"Shaylee's Bevin", the first foal by our senior stallion, Babes. Her great grandfather on her sire's side is the UK Roadsweeper; her great grandfather on her dam's side is The Old Horse of Wales.
Shaylee’s Bevin (GV01224F1)
Our Friendship Filly
Over the course of thirteen years of being involved with the breed both in Europe and here in the United States, Joyce has had the pleasure of introducing many to the Vanner Breed. Two of those individuals are Linda Siblia and Dianna Guldjberg. After they found their mare, Shaylee, Dianna wanted very much to breed her and keep the foal. Dianna called Joyce when the time came as she wanted to breed Shaylee to Babes. As a breeder Joyce was very excited as this combination would blend two of her favorite bloodlines (The Old Horse of Wales and The UK Roadsweeper). In April 2008 Shaylee had a wonderful filly. Dianna called Joyce to help her with the name. Bevin, Dianna had found meant “Lady with Song” in the language of the gypsies. A single bird had been heard singing throughout Shaylee’s labor. Shaylee means “Fairy Princess” in the gypsy language. Dianna and Joyce decided the perfect name for this little filly would be “Shaylee’s Bevin” meaning “The Fairy Princess’s Lady With Song”.
Unfortunately due to a change in family circumstances Dianna found it necessary to sell Bevin. She called Joyce and explained how sad she was and how she needed to know that Bevin was in a good home. Two other ladies who have been introduced to the Vanner through Joyce are Kathy Sommers and Allyson Pritchard. Though neither proclaim to be horsewomen, they have found Joyce’s work of great interest so much so that they had toyed with the idea of someday owning a Vanner.
Kathy had faced similar struggles as Dianna and wanted to help. Kathy and Joyce made a trip to visit Dianna and to see Bevin. For Kathy it was love at first sight – for Joyce it was validation that what she knew about this breed had come full circle and this filly was indeed worthy of the name Vanner. They called Allyson and sort of like, “The First Wives Club” decided that Bevin would become “The Friendship Filly”.
Today Bevin lives and plays at Belle Rose Farm. She is lovingly owned and shared through friendship by Kathy Sommers, Allyson Pritchard, and Joyce Christian. Also, they continue to share and update Dianna and Linda on Bevin’s activities. Bevin is a celebration for all of us! She was photographed by Mark J. Barrett and will appear in his 2011 Gypsy Vanner Horse Calendar.
