Testimonials

hi there!

i just wanted to touch base with you... although we never met i feel like we have a very special connection....Sorrento [Wessel H] has turned out to be the most incredibly wonderful, loving, sensitive, amazing horse I have yet to own. What a joy it has been to experience the friesian temperment, work ethic and loyalty. Wes has really come a long way in his training and is happily working long and low and willing to please every second of his training. BUT.......the irony of this all...... my fourteen year old has been forced to sell her 15.2 quarter horse because of her serious growth spurt this year. By mistake, I let her take a "hack" on Wes and the two of them have totally made an incredible connection. He loves her and vice versa. She has a gift for riding and has really learned how to get him to go properly and on the aids.I have made the decision to let her keep him as her new mount and hopefully go through the junior ranks this year and really excel. Janna, I can't tell you what an amazing horse he is with a super temperment and so loving and affectionate.The two of them will have a great show season. 

I tell everone I know about you and what a wonderful and honest operation you run.

Wes has been a Godsend and everyone at the barn waits for him to ride so they can all come watch and wish they were lucky enough to experience life with a friesian.
Thank you so much for bringing him into our lives!!!!!!!

2 years later.................
My daughter trained him full time for about a year . She showed him almost every weekend and qualified him to compete in the Lendon Gray Youth Dressage festival which is held annually. The fact that she was able to qualify him was an amazing fete in itself for several reasons. First of all the majority of dressage judges on the east coast don't really understand the friesian breed and therefore see their walk as stiff, their trot as slow and their cantor as "stomping" because of their high front end action. If they gave scores for temperament he would have all "10's".
Sue in NY

Dear Janna,
I cannot even begin to express my excitement to you. This really is a dream come true for me, and with the stress of the last year concerning the theft of my 3 year old, this is a needed breath of fresh air!
Thank you!

Update Feb 9th, 2006
She is so nice to everyone and everything, Janna. The grooms love her, the workers love her, the cats even love her! She snuggles them too! She is already sorta famous here. I had no idea Friesians draw so much attention. When I called our Equine animal clinic, and told my Dr. that I had a new mare for him to check out, and that she was a Friesian, 2 gals at the clinic heard and came with him just so they could see her. The vet really thought she was something else too! She is very happy and has won over everyone's heart. I feel just like a kid. I'm having way too much fun with her. I can hardly wait to show her to my dressage girlfriends. They're just gonna have a fit. I have had some great horses, my Trehkener is really amazing...but none of their gaits or personalities compare to hers. When you see her in the grooming stall, she doesn't "appear" to be a big mare. It is really sorta funny to watch peoples' reactions to her. They see this cute, cuddly little girl, who pulls treats out of your pocket and snuggle you. But as soon as I take her into the arena...her humble personality changes, she's very focused and in serious competition mode. She sends out this vibe like she wants everyone to only be watching her....and Janna, THEY DO!! Her movements are enormous. You sit there like you're on a couch. And when she engages her back end...it's like a Hemi engine on a 1968 Shelby Cobra just kicked in. Even though she is only about 15.1 or so...my son tells me that I look better on her than my larger horses.
2 years later.....................................

Our little Miss Ana is doing great! What a doll she is. And a very, happy girl.
We have a huge event at the end of this month that we're working towards. Dressage in the Rockies. It is just enormous. Little Brecht Ana has caused such a buzz around here too. She's beating $300,000+ horses right now.
...today was the FINAL CHAMPIONSHIPS of the season with the best of the best. Well, Brecht Ana won first place with the High Point Award. She's such a star.

I can't thank you enough for your patience during the buying process, you handled everything with such class. I just wanted to let you know Hedzer is doing wonderfully! He remains one of the most affectionate horses I have ever met. He has even captured the hearts of my "non-horse loving" family and friends. Especially my kids and husband (which says alot)! He has had so many visitors and yet he never complains how many times I pull him out and show him off. You were wonderful to work with and if I ever decide to get another horse I will be calling you! Thank you for everything!

Update.....
Congrats on the show! I love reading about how well you and your family do at the shows...it motivates me to get out there! Great job. Hedzer and I are finally going to our first show on Sat. Hedzer is really the perfect boy for me. He has evolved so much in the short amount of time he has been here. He goes over tarps, sits under tents with me and just gets better everyday. Thank you again!

Update...
I just had to write to say how wonderful Hedzer was at the show. His first time out and I couldn't have asked for a more well behaved horse. It was scorching hot and not a lick of shade, so I had to hold him up by the arena under the building where everyone sat. Everyone kept coming up to us to tell me what a gentleman I had (he did however eat a bit of everything my kids ate, even a reeses peanut butter cup)! Even though we are in quarter horse country, he placed 3 out of 15 in grooming and conditioning, 2nd in junior gelding/stallions and a whopping 1st in non-stock horse! Then because of the heat and that it was his first time out, I put him in 3 walk/trot classes and well...1st place in all three! He didn't make a mistake and his head was beautiful.... Anyways...he behaved like an old aged gelding on the ground with everyone crowding around him, then turned on the "pizzaz" for the under saddle classes. I am so proud of my boy!!! You knew I would like him...and sure enough he has turned out to be just what I needed.

6 months later.....
 You have a wonderful facility and tons of knowledge of the breed. Hedzer is everything you said he was and I am very happy, so are many other of your clients. You run a wonderful business. I am proud to tell people where I bought Hedzer and that I am a very happy client who will hopefully do business with you again in the future. I have been to almost every friesian breeder/seller website and still constantly look and I have not found anyone who offers the quality of horses you do. I recieved many dvd's of different horses and they never matched up to what I was told about the horse. I believe on your site that what you see is what you get. If you don't ride 3rd level...you probably can't make him move 3rd level!!! Keep up the fantastic work! He is my dream horse! I still look at him and can't believe he's mine. 
...I love reading your testimonials, but it isn't why I chose you and BSF. It was the way you still answered all my questions, even though it seemed I may never be able to afford one of your horses. I mean how could you have known my ability to annoy my father was strong enough to make him give in just so I would shut up?!?! :)  You and your knowledge sell and better said, match people with their dream horse. ...tell customers to call me on my cell if they want to know what a happy customer is!

It takes years to accumulate and build a clientele like you have.  I watched your site for over a year and read everyone of the testimonials that you have posted for us all to read. You have helped to make many wonderful horse/owner matches, including helping me to find my "forever" horse, Hedzer. I e-mailed you several times during that first year, you were always patient and answered all my questions in a timely manner. It was all the time and patience you gave me, not to forget all your beautiful horses, that helped me make the decision that when the time came I would be purchasing a horse from you. I was not let down. Hedzer has been everything you said he would be. I would recommend anyone to who was looking for a quality friesian, whether it be their first horse or last, to purchase their horse from Black Sterling Friesians. Even though I already have my perfect boy, when I get ready for another friesian, it will come out of your barn! I am impressed with you not only as a business woman, but as a wonderful person with an unwavering love for this breed.

1 year later....
 I just love him.
...always know you have people who respect what you do. I'm always here for a reference! And if I can get another horse, your barn is the first place I'll look! I just wanted to send a couple of pictures of Hedzer from his first BIG show! His two biggest awards were "Reserve Champion Friesian Walk/Trot- Any Discipline" & "Grand Champion Friesian W/T/C Hunter/Dressage/Western Type". I am so proud of him and he really proved what a big heart he has. This horse is such a sweetheart! We came home with a Grand Championship, Res. Championship, a 1st, 2nd, and 4th place ribbons.

Update...
 You know about the loss of my mom and how I always felt she helped me pick out my boy. Well today on my way to the barn I finally had a mini-breakdown, being mother's day weekend, and just could not stop crying. Hedzer was already turned-out in the big arena to graze. I walked out and called his name. He not only came all the way across to greet me but trotted as fast as he could. I hugged him and stood there crying for almost 10 minutes. He never budged, never took a step aside and even ocassionally just laid his head on my back. Just like a loved one would to just be a shoulder to cry on.I think it took Hedzer a few months to truly trust me and bond with me, but I have no doubt about that now. He is a more confident, happy horse and THE most loving horse I have ever had. Although he is very friendly to everyone in the barn, he is a momma's boy! After this morning I have never been more sure that he is my equine equal as silly as that sounds. He just looks straight in my eyes and knows.
-Marilee in Fla

Zorro has settled in and is the perfect gentleman. We have taken his shoes off and he seems to like this better, lengthening his stride. The blacksmith actually broke his knife on Zorro's hoof they are so hard. He says that Zorro has perfect feet. At present we have Zorro at a training stables, www.saddlebrookridge.com , where he has joined three other Friesians and he is a star, everyone loves him. Their trainer is top class and Margaret is taking lessons to make sure she and Zorro are perfect together. We have taken our time with him and she feels very safe.
The stables have open doors with two chains across. One of the other owner's has a 3 year old son who wandered up to Zorro unescorted to pet him. Zorro put his head almost to the ground so the little boy could hug his head and never moved an inch while he was there. What a sweet horse.
Howard in NJ

Update...
Zorro has exceeded all my expectations, I am delighted with him.  My trainer thinks he is great. Zorro is a lovely boy and I adore him, he gets on great with the other two and they are inseparable out in the paddock. Thank you.

2 years later...
 I still have Zorro, He is a darling and has taught me so much. A friend of mine asked if one of her students could compete him for the 4H dressage show. The final is next Friday 24th Aug. He has got the championship at the qualifying shows so we expect him to win it, which will make him the 4H dressage champion of New Jersey. What a star!! He is such a good boy. I am enclosing some picture taken last weekend of Zorro and me at a local show.
Margaret in NJ

She's a dreamboat!

 Of course I am completely biased, but I love her movement, and personality. Sjuke (Florencia) is fun to ride, and I often feel like she is just waiting for to me to plug in with the question so she can answer. She is very smart. She is extremely tender with my two human children (3 and 6) gently taking carrots never grabbing.  It really took two good months for her to settle in. She truly is a sweetie pie.

I love this horse and would not trade her for anything. She likes to work, great canter and is a total sweetie.

Suzi in NC

Madonna arrived this morning and she is just stunningly beautiful! Her pictures don't do her justice. I have been looking at Friesians for about 4 years and I'm so glad I waited for this sweet girl to show up. She is just perfect and seems to be pretty comfortable here already. As I told you on the phone, I have already picked out names for the foal, from a "Dutch names" website I found. It will be "Thijs" if it's a colt and "Viona" if it's a filly. I will definitely send you pictures and look forward to this grand event! Thanks for all your help and patience with my questions.

The Little Horse that Could.........................................................................
"I have a wonderful tale to tell that reminds me a bit of the story of 'Seabiscuit'. In our case we had an owner who is totally new to the Friesian World and had no clue what to expect at or from the "Keuring", a runner who was a great runner, but had never handled horses before and a trainer that had only 2 months to prepare a filly that was not yet weaned and had to hang out with Mom at the breeders until, whoops! almost the last minute. So, thanks to the trainer's knowledge and patience with the filly and the runner,(who was a very quick study) they turned out a little fireball that took home Reserve Champion. To say that I was thrilled would be the understatement of the year. I was THRILLED when she got 2nd Premie. I was SURPRISED when they came running back into the barn to tell me that the Judges wanted to see her again. (New owner...thinking, "what for?", but everyone was so excited, it had to be something good!) When I saw that only she and one other filly were called back for Grand Champion, I was in SHOCK. I cannot tell you how happy and grateful that my very first Friesian filly turned out to be such a cutie and the ribbon is just the icing on the cake. I can tell you that I will be eternally grateful to my trainer for getting us together so quickly and look forward to many more fun experiences under her tutelage.

Christine

Hi Janna,
Thank you very much for all your help and information, it's very helpful.

 I meet Gina every afternoon around 4pm, we walk or ride Steffan and Tjarda every day. They seem to be very happy and willing to please. We love their attitudes and continue to turn heads from everyone on the ranch.

Take care,
-Bob

Update...
Photo depicts 8 yr old Hannah Hirschorn competing and winning with our Steffan!!!

 He is doing great. Thanks for all of your help. Bouke is a lovely boy and everyone seems to like him. Can’t wait until he does the clinic and everyone sees him!!
Janna, you are so patient with your clients, I know it is your business, but you stay on top of things, your clients feel good and come back to you. That is the making for a good business woman.

4 years later...
I often think about you so I thought I would e-mail. The Friesian Bauke T. that I purchased from you is still with me and is just the sweetest stallion I have ever been around. I truly love this breed.  If you are ever in North Carolina near me I would love to met you.

Patsy in Wilson, N.C.

Thanks so much for the GREAT service and enthusiasm from you, and your staff! Rest assured, Diedert with be loved FOREVER.
Thanks Again and God Bless.

Update.....
He is so beautiful and we want to commend you and your staff for the professional and enthusiastic manner in which you showed us the horse and worked with my daughter! We are so pleased and thankful to you for helping to fulfill a dream. I’ll keep you updated on Diedert’s new adventure and Thanks again!


Hi Janna!!! We wanted to get a picture of our new boy to you dressed up as a western horse. He is going so well and is already slowing his gaits down. He really wants to please. We’ve discovered the he likes to play in the water with his lip and is always a gentleman with his ground manners. We love him and thanks again for your help! 

5  months later....
Hey Janna,
thanks for thinking of me in regards to St. Louis (IFSHA Grand Nationals). Dieder is great! Yes, he is still going western. We’ve been working on walk to lope transitions.  We are going to a show on Labor day. Dieder is going in a couple of pleasure classes.
Cathy

Thanks Janna.

She is really special.We are super excited about this mare. Our next model?? Of course Lineke is first... :)

Thanks Janna for all your help and offering such great horses. 2008 is our year to shine even brighter with theses horses. We wouldn't have been able to do it with out you.

You are my angel! Never had anybody be so nice to me - thank you so much. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all your help!!

Cabernet is just beautiful and very sweet. We are so excited to have her.Thanks!

Andrea, trainer at Pine Feather Farm

Update...

The Dutch Keuring  held  in Northampton, MA on Sept 18th and 19th.... We are pleased to announce that our filly, Arabella fan 'e Hameren (daughter of Cabernet), born at our Acton farm, was awarded the only 1st Premie award (top 5% of the breed).  She was crowned the Champion Filly out of a class of 14.


Micaela in Acton, Mass
 PINE FEATHER FARM

I found true love at Black Sterling Friesians.

Four years ago I went and rode several nice horses at BSF. Strider picked me with a kiss on the cheek. Since then, he has been the favorite at our barn. We have been featured at several friesian events and Strider really stops traffic in addition to doing well in the show ring. Strider is loving, eager to please and a joy to ride.

Janna was helpful and knowledgeable in helping me select my first friesian.

Update...
Hi Janna, I just read your review of your latest show and Julia's stunning victory! I am in tears... what a great story. You all are awesome! YEAH! Strider (formerly Cappuccino... we had to change his name, he's too black!) and I are doing great. I am showing in one class at the Extravaganza and really looking forward to the event. He is the most beautiful friesian I have yet seen and I've seen about 50 now. He's progressing so well in his dressage training and may go out on the Hunt a bit this Winter as he loves to trot and canter thru the Woods. He's been my therapy, joy, prayer-partner, comic and so much more. Thank-you for all your assistance in adopting him.

Update...
He's so GREAT!!! Rode him on the trail thru puddles and in a storm and he was perfect! THANKS SO MUCH!!!

4 Years Later...
I visited your site a few days ago and looked at your marvelous horses! Cap (Strider) is great. He is huge and magnificent. Truly a head turner at the Friesian events. He is training second level and has done a bit of showing with me on board and done well. A local artist has featured him in several of her award winning works. We were pictured in the NW Friesian club as we lead a local ride and do some other fun things.
I see you continue to sell a ton of horses. Best of luck this season! Keep up the good work.
Dr. Elizabeth A. Klein in Tacoma, WA

Janna, He is very quiet, like you said,  I’m looking for the stud to come out of him, but not yet. 
I was most pleased that he is everything you told me he was.  I had a few reservations about buying him sight un-seen,  but you delivered what you promised and were honest from the start.

  And knowing the bloodlines a bit I was confident that what I was buying was, well, what I saw.   And you were nothing but honest right from which horse to buy-the one I was (originally) looking at was not the one I should get and you were probably right.

 I’m pleased to say he is everything you told me he was.  He’s very quiet, very eager to please.  I’m very pleased with him-I’m not impressed by much anymore, but I am impressed with your honesty and help through the whole deal.  I wasn’t very worried buying him sight un-seen like I did,  I just thought if he didn’t work out for me I could re-sell him quite easily, but he truly is exactly like you said he is.  I would not hesitate to purchase another horse from you in the future.

update...
Just thought I’d drop you a little note on how Karel is doing.He’s doing well with the riding…….. he has spirit and has a bit of ‘umph’ to him-it will serve him well as he moves up the levels.  I adore his brain-here in SW Ontario Canada I have snow falling off the roof in the arena from time to time and it can sound like an avalanche but he barely bats an eye when all the other horses are spooking at the sound.

My coach loves him-she has a perc/tb cross built actually a lot like him and he does well at 3rd level, she says with the ‘spark’ in him he should go past 3rd level and hopefully do 4th and the St. George.  I keep saying ‘he’s going to look so good in a double………….

Shirley in Ontario, Canada

HI Janna:

Thanks for all your help in bringing my sweet Yvar to me!

He is doing well and settling in nicely.
He allows himself two fully down naps daily, so I know he is comfortable.

Elizabeth in Grass Valley

I live in Jamestown, TN in the Big South Fork National Forest.   I have to tell you Janna, Remko is my 3rd Friesian and I bonded with him like I have never done with another horse.  He is the most kind, gentle horse I have ever encountered.  We have already traveled many miles together in the 6 weeks I have owned him and he truly has that "smooth trot" I have always heard about but never had with my other Friesians. He is very respectful of me and does anything he can to please me.  Follows me around like a dog too.  Ha.  I love that stuff.  I just can't wait to go to the barn in the morning to see him.  I just recently took Remko to Florida and met a couple that had never seen a Friesian.  They were so taken with him they made me an offer of twice what I paid for him.  I turned the offer down, but did refer them to you.  Remko had a crowd around his stall the whole time we were there. I could go on for hours about this boy.

Thanks again.  I keep an eye on your website and who knows, I may just buy another one. There is no importer of Friesians I recommend to anyone other than you.  You have had several I was interested in but by the time I got the money together, they were SOLD.  They don't last long I know.
Linda in Tenn

Hi Janna,
Thank you for the birthday wishes! I am so excited and the girls are beside themselves...my boy will be so loved.

Your staff, facility and horses are absolutely first class. I'm hoping for a duplicate birthday present next year : )

Thanks again for a wonderful buying experience.

7 weeks later.............................
Hope all is well with you! I just wanted to give you an update on Cheval (Lui). We adore this boy...he is really coming along in his training and Haley and I love to ride him. I have been taking lessons for about six weeks (remember I was a complete beginner when I got him) and I am now totally comfortable on him. I have cantered for a short distance and yesterday took him on the trails by myself. He was great, no spooking and so sure-footed. Haley can ride him like a pro. The Friesian is the only breed I would ever have for myself. Cheval can back up like a pro now and is really fun to slow barrel race and weave poles in the arena : )
Everyone comments on how smart he is and how quickly he learns. He is also very playful and throws his halter, his feed bucket and anything else he can find. He is the life of the barn, gets along with all the horses (even if they don't like him) and everyone stops to talk to him and admire him. I have been reading so much about riding and the Friesian breed and history and am fascinated by it all. We are at the ranch every day and it has become a lifestyle for us. My mom hangs out with us there every day too (and my dad often comes up) and it has given her a new outlook and positive attitude. And what an awesome way to bring our family together...my husband is not interested in riding, but will listen patiently to me for hours and is very happy we are having so much fun. Horses are such amazing creatures! We are looking for a horse property of our own and would then be able to get a second Friesian! Attached are a couple photos of Haley riding Cheval...you can see how special he is. His mane is growing longer and he is so healthy and strong.
Shelby, Haley and Jordan