Gertie fits the “big horse in a small package” description to a T. Though only 15.3, she has the physical stature of a larger horse and she has a big stride to match. She is also bold and confident both in the ring, where she is forward and actively seeks out the next jump, and on a trail, where she will hack out alone or in a group and is well socialized and not overly mareish. Gertie was bred to be a showjumper but she has such a good mind, taking each new evolution in her training with aplomb, that she could do well as an eventer or hunter, given the appropriate training. She’s a quiet ride with a soft mouth and would be a suitable mount for an experienced rider or for an amateur or talented teen in a program who is ready to move up to a next horse. At this point in her training, Gertie is ready to be showing, just needs additional miles.
Gertie has a been to two shows and has done very well off property. We were all impressed with the ease with which she adjusted to being ridden in a completely new environment with a lot of activity going on all around her; Gertie took it all in stride. She has also shown her willingness to be ridden by other riders. She has showed at the 2’6 level and schooled 3 ‘ at home. Her compact and solid build gives her an advantageous power to weight ratio, which, combined with her willing and fearless spirit translates into scope…for miles. I see her having the potential to succeed at 1.40 competitions not too far down the road.
Gertie was inspected and approved by the Holsteiner Verband in September 2023. Her bonits are 7 (type), 7 (topline), 6 (front legs), 7 (back legs), 6 (walk), 7 (trot), and 7 (canter). Her score of 46 earned her the status of Premium Mare. Also, her 2023 filly by Conway II, Royal Beth, was judged a Premium Foal, with scores of 7 (conformation) and 8 (movement).
Gertie’s pedigree is heavily biased towards showjumping. Her sire, Contefino had a successful Grand Prix (1.60m) career in Europe before suffering a career ending injury, which reverted him to a breeding career, at which he has excelled. In Europe, Contefino’s jumping ability was described as “freakish,” and he has certainly passed on that trait to the 7 of his offspring we have had at our farm. We have bred Contefino to several mares over the years but the best pairing has proven to be with our Calido I daughter, Adriana. Gertie is the 4th of these, with number 5 due in June. All 4 have shared the traits of being very good looking, very athletic horses, and superb jumpers with wonderful personalities.
https://www.warmbloodstallionsna.com/stallion-stories/contefino.php
Gertie’s damsire, Calido I, has been one of the most prolific sport horse sires in Holstein, with dozens of approved sons and numerous top level performing showjumping offspring, most notably the Holsteiner geldings California and Cayak and the Holsteiner mare Noblesse M, all three competing in the 2008 Olympics.
https://www.superiorequinesires.com/calido-i/
Gartie’s dam, Adriana, herself a premium mare, has proven to be a very prolific broodmare, giving us 8 foals so far, by 3 different stallions, with a ninth due in June. She has regularly stamped her babies with good looks, athletic ability, and great minds and rideability. Her damline shows a sprinkling of top performance horses, most notably Nils Holgersson, a 1.55m showjumper in Russia. I believe Adriana may prove to be one of the most significant mares in her mare family.