The Traditional Gypsy Cob Association (TGCA) has been awarded breed recognition by Defra. 
A group of gypsy cob enthusiasts got together in 2005 with the intention of gaining passport status for the new association.
“We wanted to secure official recognition to take the breed forward and preserve it,” said Andrea Betteridge from the TGCA.
“We had to prove parentage and pushed for passport issuing status – and we are very excited to be approved.”
The TGCA is now the official passport issuing office for the breed in the UK and the European Union.
For more information visit: www.tgca.co.uk.
The Lipizzaner National Studbook Association of Great Britain is still responsible for managing passports that were issued by the Gypsy Cob Society before it closed in 2010.
The Traditional Gypsy Cob Association is a separate passport issuing body.
This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (26 July 2012)
