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Way to Go Karen!
Floris is an exceptional horse and we are very happy with him. He is a fast learner in dressage and very talented.
Karen |
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Sold to NY
Janna,
I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful mare, Crimson I purchased from you last summer. She is everything I hoped for in a Friesian...elegance, beauty, intelligence, gentleness, friendliness and a dream to ride! The two for one package of Crimson in foal brought a delight to us on the first day of spring, March 20, 2006 when Crimson foaled a lovely filly we named Katy Scarlett. She is a perfect little package of beauty. This filly will be amazing under saddle some day and we are proud to say that we own two outstanding Friesians from you at Black Sterling Friesians. Thank you for all your support over the past several months. I look forward to purchasing another beauty from you in the future.
Debra in NY
Hi Janna, Crimson is doing very well, she is such a sweety. She loves my husband. Just yesterday, she walked up to my husband with his back to her, and she rested her head on his shoulders and let out a heavy sigh! If I only had my camera. Michael called me over and said he couldn't believe what she was doing. He began to rub her chest and she closed her eyes in bliss! Thanks for your help, and again I love my girl!
Deb in NY
1 year later................................
We are thrilled with our new filly foal, we named Katy Scarlett! She is such a little sweety, we love her. She is the friendliest foal we have ever had. Crimson is a great mom, very attentive and loving. Thanks again for everything.
Deb in NY
Hi Janna,
I am writing to you to let you know that both Crimson and her filly, Katy Scarlett are doing well. The judges loved Katy and said to definitely bring her back next year.They mentioned to the audience that unfortunately, timing can be very important and if Katy hadn't gone through a growth spurt just prior to the Keuring, she would have rated higher that day. They also liked Crimson. Thanks Janna, she is a wonderful girl.
Debbie |
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Sold to SC
Dries finally arrived late last night. Poor thing, he was traveling for 2 weeks to get here due to hurricane delays, but even after spending all day yesterday in the truck he was really calm and sweet. He's gorgeous and looked relieved to be able to stretch his legs, and didn't seem too put off by my arab's advances. Bet she can't believe such a gorgeous boy has appeared on HER property. I can't believe he's really here! Thank you for importing him, he is truly gorgeous.
Update 3 months later...............................................................
Dries is settling in well. I took him on his first little trail ride yesterday and he was perfect - in spite of having to walk past all sorts of scary piles of hurricane debris that still line the roads out here.... we all love him to bits (and I think my trainer is a wee bit jealous of my amazing new horse.....) :-) Thanks Janna, and thanks again for my beautiful sweet boy.
Amanda
2 years later...................................
I was just browsing your website and found the blurb about your life from a magazine back in 2005 - it hit a nerve as you had level 2 melanoma - last year, about 6 months after I bought the beautiful trick-trained Dries Fan Hensvold from you - my husband was diagnosed with level 4 melanoma - he passed away in March this year. As I have a very young daughter I thought I should sell Dries when my husband's condition worsened, but my horsey friends all said the same thing 'keep him, he'll keep you sane', and he has. We may not be doing show circuit but he's still young and he has a good life here in S. Florida. Having Dries has really helped me get through all this, so thanks again for importing such incredible gentle and fun horses.
Update...
Its been a while since I wrote to you, but thought I should drop you a line about my boy Dries– he is definitely the #1 best purchase I ever made! He is still very smart and eager to please and now jumps, once he figures out what I want him to do (and its always me that is slow to get the point across) he is so easy. I love him. Anyway, he is still a very loved and cherished member of my little family – attached picture shows Morgan opening the back door yesterday morning…
Amanda in SC
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Thistle is on his way to Virg, to join another BSF gelding, Theo, in a 2 in hand! Congrats on your 2nd horse from BSF's!
Thistle is doing very well in dressage. Theo and Thistle won the Lord Sterling CDE at prelim level this year (Paul Maye driving). We also got a 4th at Devon doing the Pleasure Drive, which isn't bad at all (me driving -- see attached photo). Thistle is getting great scores doing straight ridden dressage at First Level with Candy Allen. He is a magnificent mover.
-- Judy in Virg
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Congrats to Andrea and family in NY
Hello Janna
Finally after 6 weeks of waiting,Thursday was the day... Diedert arrived at 11.30 pm and I was able to see him walk off the trailer. Oh boy is he beautiful, very curious and alert of what was going on as we led him to his stall where he immediately started eating again! ... anyway Don Camillo - that his new name, adopted from a very cute tale/story/book (author is Guareschi) - is doing fine and adjusting nicely to his new surroundings, he is very articulate, greeting every horse with a frenetic neighing in a way 'hey would you like to be my new buddy'. Thanks again for your input and have a wonderful day - I already spent 2 hours with Camillo at the barn and will go back after Benjamin finishes his soccer game...
Andrea in NY
PS my husband thinks our boy is just the most beautiful horse!
Hello Janna
He is doing great and as a matter of fact I just started (about 3 weeks ago) riding him daily. I have to admit that in the beginning I was scared of him because he showed us some good kicks and bucks while being turned out. But now after getting to know him better and longer I came to realize that when I ride him and he hears my voice he is all business and I am grateful for that - who wants to fall off a 16 + hands horse?! Have a joyous and peaceful Holiday time!
Best and kind regards,
Andrea in NY
2 years later............................................
Hope everything is fine with you – I read that you, Julia, Ron and your trainer are very successful in the recent circuits – congratulations!
I am also frequently checking out your site. Marcel is making progress by sporadically sitting on Don Camillo while I longe him – BIG success from being mortified of him!
I think the love between my two men is mutual and Camillo is such a mush!Camillo just takes everything in stride - I just am sooo lucky and blessed to have found such a great Friesian! Andrea in NY |
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Congrats to Lisa in Washington!
Thanks -
Here are a couple sort of grainy pics of Mirke and Tonnes from day 3, still in the foaling stall --- I will have the first turn out pictures here on Monday and will send - they are almost the highlight of having foals - all that running and frolicking is adorable. Mirke doesn't like us to look at the colt too closely and tends to walk over and block the view, but she is very attentive to the little guy and that is a positive thing. They have since been moved to a double stall with their own pasture for day time turn outs. Tonnes is a cutie pie, just wish we could play with him. He let me pick up the feet, pat the hooves, touch him all over. Thanks for your effort to get these all important documents out to me.
Lisa in Wa |
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Congrats to Rachel in VA on Your Beautiful Long Haired Boy!!!!!!!!!
Hi Janna,
Derek has been such a good boy! He has a beautiful personality!! He is as absolute favorite at the barn and I want to use him for the Middleburg Parade this Fall, I think he will be a favorite of everyones! He is such a beautiful guy, and very gentle! He seems very happy and calm.
Thank You!!!
Rachel in Virg.
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Congrats to Mary in Minnesota!!!
Janna,
Just to let you know about Virte. She is settling in wonderfully. I have even been riding her. Three different people rode her last nite in the barn. My other friesian and Virte have bonded, happy about that. Thanks for your help. Virte is a wonderful horse.
Mary in Minn.
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Congrats to Jane in Texas on this INCREDIBLE Schoolmaster!!!!!!!!!
Hi Janna,
I'm sending a photo.... She is doing very well, gets along with everyone, and everyone who sees her thinks she's wonderful! We're in training, and she's being very gracious and forgiving to me as I learn which buttons to push! She has a great temperament, kind and very curious -- she is blacker than black, and gorgeous in every sense of the word!!
Jane in Texas
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Congrats to Dara
Janna,
A quick update on our two boys...in a word they are absolutely fabulous. Both have settled in just fine at a wonderful dressage facility in the Napa Valley. Desperado is in full training with your trainer Caroline Frierman and in her words, he is stupendous and should be shown in early spring. Twister is breath taking to ride and completely content to be at his new forever home. Everyone at the barn has made very positive comments on how nice it is to have Friesians around and how beautiful they are. Thanks again for two outstanding lovely boys!
Dara |
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Congrats to Jeanne in Illinois on this Special Sape Gelding!
Hi Janna,
We ran him in the outdoor arena today and got to see his beautiful movement!!! My trainer thought he moved beautifully too!
I have never seen a horse with a sweeter temperment than he has!! He is a very special guy and we're gonna have a lot of fun years ahead of us.
Fiorucci is a wonderful horse full of heart and very, very sweet. Everyone that sees him falls in love. He is in full training now and the trainer absolutely adores him and says he has had good previous training.
He is so mellow for a four year old! I will give him a big hug for you.
Thanks,
Jeanne in Ill |
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This Big Sweet Boy is Headed to Texas for Karen:)
What a sweetheart. He took a bath just fine. Overall, he is absolutely the sweetest, most wonderful horse anyone could ever ask for. He has impeccable manners and is very personable. Everyone at the barn pets him, which he eats up, and he has figured out that a kiss equals a cookie. Half the people at the barn had green cheeks yesterday. I had to tell people to stop, for fear he would get a tummy ache.
Thank you for the opportunity to own this wonderful horse, which my horse hating husband actually called "magnificent." I took him out for his first trail ride and he did wonderful. He is very curious and gives new things the "hairy eyeball," but that is about it. He hasn't spooked from anything, just double-takes. I am very pleased.
Update...
Bas is adapting well. I am starting a new job as the State Court Coordinator in the county where we are building our new house and where Bas is. He has been a complete angel, aside from hating the fly spray and longing a little closer to the barn every circle. He is a hoot. When you do something to him that he doesn't like, he gets this look like he is much too dignified to put up with this kind of treatment, and is only allowing you because he is way better than we common people. My daughter cracked up when I was giving him a bath. She told me that he looked like one of the old Dutch master paintings of royalty looking down their nose at everyone. I can't remember if I told you, but one of the times I was out riding him we were on a causeway between a small lake and the valley below. The guy that owns the development commutes via helicopter. He flew over so close I could see his eyes and Bas didn't miss a lick. It didn't bother him at all. I, on the other hand was freaking out just waiting to see where Bas would go if he decided he didn't like it.
Score one for Bas.
I'll keep you up to date on Bas, or "the prince" as he likes to think.
Karen in TX |
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Congrats to Toni in Vermont!!!!!!!!
2 years later.... I certainly had a positive experience from your farm.
Rembrant is a stunning horse, sweet and lovely! I am sending you a photo which was taken at our property while we were hosting a wedding.
The children loved him! Toni in Vermont
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Congrats to Gina
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 6 years later...
Thank you so much for bringing Tjarda over from Holland!!! Look at all of the wonderful lives you have changed! I cannot even imagine what your life must be like. Thank you so much for letting me go on and on about Tjarda. I grew up with horses in Texas, but Friesians are the most amazing creatures I have ever come to know. I will look for you and your gorgeous horses at the Grand Nationals!
It's most impressive to see all of the Friesians you have imported over the years! Perhaps someday we will come to visit your amazing farm!
Cheers,
Monica |
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Congrats to Kim in Canada!!!
Hi Janna,
Oliver and I LOVE Marijke! I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you've done for us. Oliver and I are both enjoying teaching her new things and are happy with how quickly she picks everything up. We stopped many many times on the way back home, spent lots of time with her, brushing her, talking to her and walking her around the rest areas we stopped at. She encountered many scary things while in the parking lot at one rest stop we were at in Oregon, semi trucks driving past her and using their air brakes, a gang of noisy motorcycles zooming past her and various strangers vying for her affection but none of it fazed her a bit, she just rested her head up against my chest and watched everything quietly out of the corner of her eyes. I fell in love with her instantly the first time we stopped and I got to spend some time with her. I'm so glad that she's taken to us and that she seems to be happy. If I ever decide to get another Friesian I will definitely come to you for it, your service, patience and knowledge of the Friesian breed is impeccable and I owe so much to you for such a fantastic horse.
I'm very glad you like the portrait I did of Sterling. Thanks again, I will definitely keep in touch and send you some pictures of the three of us in Canada very soon =)
Kim in Canada
Kim,
I want to thank YOU for bringing me such a lovely gift when you and Oliver came to pick up Marijke, to take her to Canada. I LOVE the portrait of Sterling--you are quite an artist!!! It will be displayed proudly in my new office, which is just being finished, in the loft of our barn.
Thank you, again, for such a lovely and thoughtful gift.
Cheers,
Janna
1 year later...........................
Hi Janna,
it's been a while since Marijke came to live with us and we last spoke so I thought I'd drop you a line and give you an update. She's doing wonderfully, her name has been changed to Brie (like the cheese) and she always answers with a whinny when I call her name no matter how far away I am (although she only does this for me). Brie is very affectionate, she loves it when I kiss her right between her nostrils and she wiggles her upper lip like she's kissing me back, it's very cute =). She's also the most vocal horse I've ever come in contact with, she whinnies when I get home from grocery shopping or if I go out of sight and she thinks I'm leaving the property and she nickers whenever I approach her. People who have witnessed how attached to me she is are always enamoured that a horse could be so attached to a person but I just love it. She's grown quite a bit since you last saw her, she's about 15.1 hh and turned two years old this month. Oliver brought home a new halter and matching lead for her as a birthday gift and we spent the whole day taking her for walks in the woods and brushing her and then at bedtime she got a bucket full of apple pieces, baby carrots and her favourite treat, honey oat bread drizzled with molasses, talk about a happy birthday girl =)! She's very spoiled but is very deserving, I love her so much. She's also very popular in our neighbourhood and has even managed to outshine the very lovely Andalusians down the street from us who are not nearly as sweet and affectionate as Brie is. Besides Oliver and myself Brie's other favourite friends are my three Chihuahuas. At first I was worried about them getting too close as Brie has gotten quite big and they are so small but they still insist on sneaking a visit with her whenever they're outside and I'm not paying attention, and she just LOVES them! A while back a rail on the fence broke sometime in the night setting Brie free. Much to my amazement the next morning we awoke to her standing at our front door =), she didn't even attempt to leave the property. Oliver went outside to catch her but she ran around the yard like a crazy horse refusing to be caught until I poked my head out the door to see what was going on. As soon as she saw my face she let out the biggest happiest whinny and came galloping back to the front door and stood perfectly still for me to put her halter on she then proceeded to nuzzle me and make cute soft sounds as I rubbed her neck. Man do I ever LOVE this horse! Her training is coming along very well, I decided to do all of the groundwork myself ( rather than hiring a trainer ) which I'm really enjoying! She's highly intelligent and learns everything quickly. She's a blast and I'm so glad I got her at this age. While I am inexperienced in training such a young horse I'm actually happy that I get to go through everything with her the first time rather than having an already experienced horse. She's made me so confident and I know everything the two of us are going through right now will be so helpful when she's old enough to breed and I'm having to train more youngsters.
Janna, I cannot thank you enough. My Friesian baby has brought so much joy to my life and even to my non-horsey husband's life and we will be eternally grateful. This breed is truly special and my only hope is that more people may come to know the love of a Friesian as we have.
With all our thanks and best wishes,
Kim in Canada
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