I just found out he died, and I cannot believe it. 
I rode with him years ago in Jackson Hole, even before he went to Spring Creek Equestrian Center. According to the Fauquier paper he was kicked in the chest. I wondered if anyone in Va had had any more recent contact with him. This is so sad.
Hunted with him 2-3 x per week for the past 10 or so years. He will be greatly missed.
I’d meant to start a thread about this, but he died while I was out west and hadn’t gotten to it since we were back.
Very very sad.
But, gosh, it sure wakes you up re: going in your stalls with even your ‘best’ horses – staying on your toes for sure.
Thank you. 
I have not yet heard about a memorial service or anything. If anyone knows, please post information here – I will certainly do so when I hear something.
The horse community is mourning the loss of a giant of the field.
Bruce left a huge hole.
I had a dream about him the first night I found out. I was somewhere I could see him. I was sitting behind him and reached out and touched his shoulder and said ‘how sorry I was to hear about it.’ He turned (it was definitely him - he had on this fleece sweater he always used to wear) and told me it was fine, “it was ok. Everything was ok. Not to worry.” Then the dream faded.
I wondered if I should tell his wife about this dream, or just chalk it up to a weird dream.
Thanks for starting this thread DLee. I had wondered what really happened to him after reading the little blurb in the local Fauquier paper. I had sold him a little farm when he first came from Jackson Hole, and that seems like yesterday–but now he is gone. So very sad, he will be missed. RIP Bruce.
More reports about what ‘really’ happened - second and third hand by now, but by all accounts he was in a stall, doing whatever (blanketing a horse, maybe) and was kicked, in the chest. Knocked him back, and, I suppose, stopped his heart. This pieced together from the police report I did my story from plus a couple of second hand accounts. Not gospel, but it sounds conceivable.
Just like that. One minute you’re there in your element. Next thing, you’re gone. Love the ones you love, even the ones you don’t. It can be gone. So fast.
:o(
Thank you
thanks for the extra information, Hunter’s Rest. I was wondering, too. Bruce was so agile and experienced, that it seemed like it wasn’t true.
My first converation with him in the hunt field was that we both loved our JP saddles. He shepherded so many novice foxhunters in to loving the sport.
A dear friend of mine and I both rode with him whenever we could, when he was in Jackson. We’d haul over there, or he would come to Idaho Falls and give a clinic. I guess this was in the late 80’s. I still just can’t fathom this.
I just found out about Bruce … I am so shocked.
Horse Sense sponsored him … well, did last year. And I had just met him for the first time about a month ago. What a handsome young man … so polite, so kind, and a wonderful sense of humor.
Horse Sense put a saddle and quarter sheet on their horse statue … and B. Gerrish on the quarter sheet. It’s right outside their store (it’s closed for Christmas.)
It’s so sad … he was so young. He looked like he was in his 20s.
Condolences to his family … I’m so sorry. 
By the way, although he hunted, I first looked for this thread in Eventing. Wasn’t he primarily an eventer?
Yes, he was an Eventer. No memorial service is on the books for him through the church he attended so I don’t know what there is going to be in regards to recognizing his passing but I would imagine his family members will be the ones to have organized something or will be organizing something.
I Remember him well from his days in Jackson Hole. We had a lovely dinner at his home there. It was just a short time before he and his wife moved back to the east.
Our condolences to his family.
No hunting on Boxing Day, but a breakfast/party thing at Bruce’s father in law’s house (our huntsman.)
I’ll find out details and report here, but I understand ‘a service will be held after the holidays.’ He was, I understand, cremated.
Went to the ODH boxing day party (no hunting, but a nice party at the kennels.)
Everyone was still pretty shellshocked at the loss of Bruce, but it seems that most have taken it in and processed it at jolly bad luck, a terrible loss and planning to support Bruce’s wife as much as possible in the coming days/weeks/months. Vanessa (the huntsman’s daughter, and a whip for ODH) was not there - the other whips said she’s not quite ready, yet.
There will be a memorial service (party/wake/rememberence) at the kennels (in Orlean, Va.) on Saturday January 16. Not gospel coming from me, mind you, but I’d gamble it’ll be planned for after hunting time (assuming, optimistically, that we’re back to hunting by then.) The website manager assured me ‘info was on the ODH site’, but damned if I can find it.
I’ll find out more and post back here, but do mark your calendars for Jan. 16 if you can. They’re asking for photos/rememberences of Bruce if anyone has any to bring along.
The general story - kicked while in a stall doing … something (still unclear what, but some normal horse/stall/chore) - was corraborated.
I marked my calender. My condolences to friends, family and members. If there is a gift we can make in his memory, maybe to the Hunt Staff Benefit Foundation or something - can you post that or let us know if it’s on the ODH website? Thanks.
http://www.old-dominion-hounds.org/main%20page.htm
There is a small rememberance on the ODH website.
I will cast around if there is a charity to donate to, etc., but who needs support mostly is his wife, Vanessa, who is left with a broken arm (unrelated injury from a few weeks ago), 40+ horses and a busy business – in a down market, too – plus I think she has a day job, too. She is the one who’ll now, or soon, need support of many varying types.
Thank you Hunter’s Rest. Is there any way to let me know how to get in touch with her?
Bruce Gerrish - Independence Stables 540.253.9802
Anyone know where Gail Gerrish is now?
[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;4581158]
Bruce Gerrish - Independence Stables 540.253.9802[/QUOTE]
Does anyone have a current email? It’s just so much less intrusive than a phone call. The old Indpendence Stable one does not work.
Or maybe one for ODH, and they would fwd it for me. I couldn’t find one on their site. Thanks so much.
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