Gaisha, an upper-level eventing mare, was euthanized in early May at the Sun Kissed Acres Retirement Farm near Summerville, Ga. She was 26.

When Mary Jo Herhold bought the Hanoverian mare (Garibaldi—Lemonade, Lemon), she was competing at the novice level. Partnered with Janet Andrews, Gaisha soon began moving up the levels and eventually found success at the intermediate level.

Gaisha was the U.S. Combined Training Association Mare of the Year in 1993, and in 1994 she was the American Horse Shows Association Zone 4 intermediate champion.

In 1995, she was the American Hanoverian Society Horse of the Year.

In addition to receiving numerous area and regional awards, Gaisha competed at the FEI two-star level at the Bromont Three-Day Event (Canada) and the Radnor Hunt Three-Day Event (Pa.).

“Gaisha had a big heart and loved competing,” said Herhold. “The years she gave us were truly special. She was the once-in-a-lifetime horse.” 

Gaisha’s legacy lives on in her two daughters, Cosmic Diamond and Final Watch. Both mares are competing at the preliminary level.