CHi Cindy,
Carliss Henderson and her husband, Jerry, are long time Louisiana residents. Several years ago Carliss suffered a life threatening stroke. Remarkably she survived and while working with a physical therapist he asked her if she liked horses. She responded that indeed she “loved” horses, but raising five children and working full time she simply had not found a way to have horses in her life. The therapist recommended that she begin working with horses to improve her balance. She purchased a miniature horse mare and simply loved having this tiny horse in her life. Later the therapist suggested it was time to move to a full size horse. This sent Carliss to the internet to find the horse of her dreams. She found him on the website for Unicorn Meadows Gypsy Vanner Horses owned by Joyce Christian in New York. The horse was a black, blagdon Gypsy Vanner gelding named Bandit. Carliss called Joyce to see if she could buy Bandit.
Joyce fondly remembers that call. Regrettably she had to tell Carliss that Bandit was not for sale. She shared with Carliss how she too had waited all her life to finally have horses and that indeed Bandit was the answer to her own childhood dream. They talked for a long time and Joyce shared that she knew a couple of people who might have horses with similar markings as Bandit that would be for sale. As a result Carliss purchased from Jan Anderson a lovely gelding which she named Curaco. As time passed Carliss and Joyce’s friendship grew via long telephone chats about the horses. Soon Carliss had purchased a beautiful mare named Ambrosia, then two more fillies, and finally a gelding named Piper came to live with her.
One night in the fall of 2006 during one of their frequent phone chats Carliss asked Joyce what her plans were once she retired. Joyce explained that she hoped to find a place in Alabama, which was her home, and settle with her horses. Carliss asked if she might consider forming a farm partnership. Joyce decided to visit Carliss over Columbus Day weekend to meet in person, and talk about the possibility of a farm partnership.
During that weekend visit, Joyce, Carliss and Jerry agreed that together they could have a whole lot of fun making Belle Rose Farm a reality. Since that time they have worked hard and planned carefully for their dream farm. In March 2009 Joyce returned to Louisiana. Carliss had made several appointments to look at property for the future home of Belle Rose. They found the ideal location and the price was right.
As of August 2009 Joyce will retire after thirty years with the Department of Defense Schools and move from West Point, NY to Monroe, Louisiana to join Carliss and Jerry. The building of the barn and house will have just gotten underway and hopefully by mid autumn we can hold an open house at Belle Rose Farm.
Belle Rose Farm will be dedicated to the Gypsy Vanner breed. It is our plan to focus on educational opportunities to showcase the unique and highly desirable traits of this rare horse. As an educator, Joyce sees the value in not only educating about the Vanner horses and helping interested individuals learn about and understand the breed, but also to use the Vanners in educational programs such as equine therapy and equine assisted learning opportunities. Joyce has been involved with the Gypsy Vanner horses both in Germany (1996) where she first encountered them and imported Bandit and Magic, to exhibiting and showing her horses to introduce the Gypsy Vanner in the northeast (2001-2009). Carliss understands first hand the powerful healing that horses can bring through therapy and day to day involvement. She looks forward to sharing her personal experiences and how having the horses in her life has truly improved her health and quality of living.
Carliss and Joyce extend a sincere invitation to:
“Come and share the dream with us!”
This is the slogan of the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society. Joyce currently serves on its Board of Directors.
