Wendy Gerrish Sends Third Stallion to Neumunster

Final selections for the November 2013 Holsteiner Verband Korung in Neumunster have been made, and, for the third time in four years, Wendy Davis Gerrish will be ringside watching a stallion she bred and raised going through the testing. In 2010, Limtender, a large-framed Limbus/Contender from stamm 1916, was the first American-bred stallion ever to stand on the oval at Holstenhalle for the Holsteiner Verband annual approvals, and though he failed to earn the approval nod, he is now coming up in Poland as a successful young jumper under professional rider Marek Waclawik. In 2012, Gerrish was able to double down on her record when the lovely grey Casiris, an elegant and typey Calido/Coriano from stamm 474a, made the selection. Though he lacked the jumping quality to get an approval from the kor commission, Casiris impressed with his lovely presence and movement. This year, Gerrish’s hopes for approval are pinned on a chestnut full brother to Casiris. This tall and well-built stallion shows the same engaged and dynamic movement as his older brother and better quality of jump, but, of course, the ultimate decision will be in the hands of the judges. Gerrish, for her part, says expectations must always be kept in check when it comes to stallion approval. “I have never set out to breed stallion candidates for Neumunster, so all of this, while very exciting and novel for a American breeder, must be viewed realistically. My happiness at this recent turn, however, could not be overstated!” Another young brother of Casiris is still on the field, a 2012 by Connor, and while she won’t predict if he will be a candidate for the approvals in 2014, she must be excited at the prospect. Explains Gerrish, “I’m always working to keep my expectations in check, and try to live for the moments as they happen. Success in Neumunster starts with just getting a horse into the approval. The rest is frosting, really awesome frosting.”