Marilynn Monroe Sells to Sheri Kern-Gepp and Heads to Texas with Katie Mitchell

From Mitchell Show Horses:

Congratulations to Sheri Kern-Gepp on a new journey with the 2018 AQHA/APHA sorrel mare, Marilynn Monroe, by Machine Made and out of KM WeKnowShesHot.

Marilynn will be heading to Texas with Katie Mitchell, Sheri explains, to continue a legacy.

“Fortunateson is one of only two out of 120 head that I kept – the other being his brother Big & Rich. He’s my last connection to his great Momma, Choicetta Baretta. His sire, the one and only Blazing Hot, and Joan’s commitment to the industry lives on.  These great lines must not ever be forgotten. I decided, as I saw the wonderful offspring that was being sired by Son, that I HAD to do my part. So the search began,” says Sheri.

Katie says, “We started our search at the end of August, and even posted about looking for an embryo to purchase. We had a tremendous response from owners, which we TRULY appreciate, but then we quickly turned to exploring just buying a mare, so we can have access to unlimited embryos.”

“But it had to be the CORRECT mare,” Katie emphasizes. “It had to be a mare that checked ALL the boxes of what we felt was the best possible chance of getting the offspring we wanted when crossed with the Stallion.” When Becca posted Marilynn, I saw it within 5 minutes. I knew it was a top-end mare that would be priced accordingly, but I sent it to Sheri anyway, not knowing what she would say or how she felt about it.”

Sheri says, “She had to be equal or even better than what we had in the past, with some updated bloodlines, not only on the sires side but as I have always said we needed that strong maternal line I so much believe in.”

Katie says Sheri immediately fell in love with her and had a strong gut feeling. “With her being away from the show pen for several years, she requested to see more video because she hadn’t heard about the mare. The next day came as an all-day Q & A, back and forth on the phone. Each moment that passed, and each piece of information I received for her, it just became this huge snowball effect that grew bigger and stronger.”

Pretty soon Sheri said, “Well, here we are… what do you think???”  so Katie called Blake.  “We got all our due diligence done this week before he and Becca were scheduled to leave for Congress, and everyone couldn’t be happier!” explains Katie.

“We found the perfect balance in Marilynn and the stars lined up,” says Sheri. “I just thought I retired in 2016…. or as Katie says, ‘Well, it was a soft retirement’. ”

Katie explains they will be doing ICSI through Weems & Stephens at their newly completed ICSI lab in Pilot Point, Texas.  “We will also be offering ICSI or traditional embryo flush, to a limited number of stallion owners or individuals that would like an offspring out of these eminent bloodlines with exemplary multigenerational show records.”

“I have 60 acres here right in the heart of Pilot Point, Texas, on 377 with breeding facilities, mare motel, small show barn, and plenty of pasture for recips should you need to outsource your breeding/foaling work,” Katie says.

“Thanks to Katie Mitchell I know I have found the perfect mare for Son, and myself,” adds Sheri.

“Thank you to Blake and Becca for allowing us to purchase Lexus. We look forward to the next step and making her a part of the Fortunateson Group.

Please contact Stephen Stephens at Dry River Ranch (@dryriverranch) for breeding information on Fortunateson (@fortunateson), and Katie Mitchell (@katiemitchell) for ICSI and information on Marilynn, aka “Lexus.”