The Gypsy Cob

The Gypsy Cob

Gypsy Cob Breed Standard

HISTORY

The Gypsy Cob is the second Traditional Cob breed type, which was developed in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) by Romani people (historically referred to as Gypsies).

NOTE: Although from the 1990s, Ireland's original Traditional Cob (Irish Cob) has also been referred to as the Gypsy Cob, the true Gypsy Cob was developed in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) by Romani.

Who are the Romani?

Development of the breed

Romani people developed the Gypsy Cob by selectively breeding Ireland's original Traditional Cob (Irish Cob), to maximise the stockiness and heavy bone and feather of the Irish Cob, to reduce the height of the Irish Cob, and to add driving cob characteristics attributed to the Welsh Cob – including a more driving cob type shoulder, withers and chest and a sweeter ‘Welsh type’ head.

NOTE: Although the standard Gypsy Cob height is typically 13.1hh to 15.2hh, a large Gypsy Cob that is from 14.2hh to 15.2hh can be more akin to the Irish Cob insofar as it can have a more athletic structure and longer legs than the smaller 13hh to 14.2hh Gypsy Cob.

World renowned

Although it is the all-purpose (ride and drive) original ‘1990s’ Irish Cob, with its handsome straight head and riding cob structure, that from the 1990s made the Traditional Cob so popular as a leisure horse not just in Ireland and in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) but also in countries such as Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy and also in the USA and Australia, and although the original ‘1990s’ Irish Cob has been referred to as the Gypsy Cob, the popularity of the true Gypsy Cob which was developed in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) by Romany people (historically referred to as Gypsies) has since firmly established itself worldwide.

Some of the world renowned Gypsy Cob stallions born in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) are Vine's Lloyds, Hercules, Bullseye, SD Big News, SD Street Fighter, SD The Rocking Horse and SD Wooly Mammoth. 

NOTE: Although the Irish Cob and the Gypsy Cob share the same unique Traditional Cob breed characteristics – a powerful, compact build with ample muscle and bone, large joints and an abundance of leg hair/feathering and a luxuriant mane and tail capable of growing to a substantial length – the differences between the two Traditional Cob breed types are size and structure. Whereas the Irish Cob is a bigger riding cob that can be driven, the Gypsy Cob is a smaller driving cob that can be ridden.

The Traditional Gypsy Cob Studbook (UK)

In 2012, The Traditional Gypsy Cob Association in England was officially recognised in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and by the Commission of the European Union (EU) to maintain its Traditional Gypsy Cob Studbook as the EU-recognised studbook of the origin of the breed (the EU ‘Mother’ Traditional Gypsy Cob Studbook).

However, from the time the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) left the European Union (EU) in 2020, the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association in England has only been officially recognised in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) to maintain its Traditional Gypsy Cob Studbook as the UK-recognised studbook of the origin of the breed (the UK ‘Mother’ Traditional Gypsy Cob Studbook).

It is because the Traditional Gypsy Cob Breed Standard (which was authored for the Traditional Gypsy Cob Studbook) is not the same as the Irish Cob Breed Standard (which was authored for the Irish Cob Studbook) that the Traditional Gypsy Cob Studbook could be officially recognised as an EU-recognised or UK-recognised studbook of the origin of the breed (EU or UK 'Mother’ Traditional Gypsy Cob Studbook).

The Traditional Cob Registry (Ireland)

In 2025, The Traditional Cob Registry in Ireland opened its register to worldwide Gypsy Cob and Mini Gypsy Cob (aka Mini Cob) registration. Because the Traditional Cob Registry (TCR) is independent, TCR can operate worldwide under its own rules.