Former international showjumping rider, and well-known horse dealer, Breeding News exposes a fresh side to Gerhard Etter ... sport horse breeding. A new enterprise which carries his business across several frontiers to the Emerald Isle - Ireland..
Q What has been the key to the longevity of Catherston?
Using mares that have proved themselves, and the good stallions we have used. I suppose careful selective breeding in a manner we could afford, was the way we started.
Q How did it all start?
My parents (Lt Colonel Jack and Mrs Anne Bullen) started with breeding ponies. They had been brought up with horses and had horses all their lives. After the second war, then having a large family of six children, they started rescuing a lot of ponies off the moors and crossing them with thoroughbreds to produce the British riding ponies which we all rode. (As well as Jennie two of the other children went on to achieve Olympic glory. Mike Bullen in 1960 with Cottage Romance and Jane Bullen now Holderness-Roddam in 1968 with Our Nobby)
Q Did you always presume you would carry on with the stud?
Not always. I had visions of being a doctor or nurse but didn’t have qualifications to do either. I was pretty dyslexic as a child and didn’t have a very happy school life. I always went to the horses whenever I was unhappy and I formed a very close relationship with my pony who I taught to do all sorts of things - riding without a bridle, teaching it to stand when I left it in the middle of the field. I then found I adored training animals whether it be dogs or horses
Q Do you encourage a close relationship with your animals?
Very much so and I think it very important. I like my horses to know me. They always come to me and nicker when I walk into the stables. It means a lot to me
and is very rewarding.
Q Do you have a favourite stallion or do you try not to?
Well I have a great affinity with Dutch Gold. I loved Dutch Courage and also Bubbly and Xenocles (TB by Nearula) in my past are all my real favourites. They are horses that had a special interest in me. They all have a special way of talking to me as does Catherston Dazzler and I have very strong relationships with them.