Purcell's Gypsy Horses

Photo by Bob Langrish

Purcell’s Gypsy Horses is a small farm nestled on the banks of the Gallatin River in Big Sky, Montana. The pristine Gallatin River is known for its rugged beauty and abundance of wildlife. People from around the world are drawn here to backpack, fly-fish, and kayak; where better than to raise these magical Gypsy Cobs, Drum and Vanner horses? We are regularly visited by moose, elk, deer, bear, and big horn sheep; and occasionally will be privileged with a glimpse of a wolf or mountain lion. If the Gypsy Horses aren't observing the wildlife they are watching kayaks and colorful river rafts as they float by their pasture.

Our VISION is to breed only a few select Gypsy Cob and or Drum foals per year. Our ultimate goal is QUALITY, not QUANTITY. By limiting breeding, Michelle is allowed more time to lay a solid foundation and focus her talents and expertise on individualized training while enhancing each foals ability to succeed, respond, and develop to their own full potential. We breed for conformation and balance along with docile and willing attitudes and athletic abilities with the PLUS of tons of mane, tail and feather!

In 2003, Purcell’s Gypsy Horses brought the first registered Gypsy Vanners to Montana. WCF Gypsy Diva, an own daughter of Romany King x Eimile arrived as a weanling in late September 2003.

Soon to follow was our Gypsy Vanner Foundation Stallion Sarsti Gri, aka "Pretty Boy Floyd". Floyd was purchased from Joanne and Bill Thorup of Bit-A-Both Farm in Ocala, Florida. Floyd arrived December 30, 2003, a beach boy soon to turn mountain man. Joanne and Bill imported Floyd from Scotland and to the best of our knowledge Floyd is currently the only Gypsy stallion in the United States to have been imported from Scotland. At the time Floyd joined Purcell’s Gypsy Horses, he was a registered Gypsy Vanner. Michelle has recently ceased his registration with the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society and registered him with Gypsy Cob Drum Horse Association.

Next to arrive was Lucky Lass, a mare we imported from Wales. She first set her hoofs on American soil in December 2003, then after a brief quarantine period, and on to be bred in Ohio, she arrived in Montana April 2004.

Our newest addition, Gypsy Geronimo, aka Moose, is our new stallion prospect. Moose has impeccable blood lines being an own son of the famous Teddy Mare, who is known throughout England as being one of the best producing mares of all time. Moose is by a sire whose bloodlines combine the best of Mouldon’s breeding with the Horseshoe Filly out of the Horseshoe Mare. The Teddy Lines can be traced back by the Romany breeders to the early 1900’s. The Teddy Mare is now seventeen years old and owned by Lise McNamara of Blarney Stone Acres.

The aforementioned Gypsies are the Foundation of our breeding program. Occasionally, we may breed one or more of our mares to a select outside stallion. However, our stallions' books are closed. We will offer outstanding offspring for sale when available.

Please give us a call or plan a visit to watch the flying manes, tails and feathers of these magical horses at play along the Gallatin River. If you watch closely you may even be lucky enough to see a Gypsy Moose!

Neil and Michelle Purcell
P.O. Box 161204
Big Sky, Montana 59716
telephone: 406-995-3686
fax: 406-995-3687

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