Testimonials

Janna,
I have ridden Victor and I feel so safe on him. He is very gentle and easy. I am really surprised how much suspension he has. I wasn’t expecting such a big horse to feel so light. He is very sweet to ride and very smart. I’m excited about learning dressage on him and feel he will be patient with me. Thank you for suggesting him, I feel like we are a good match and look forward to many years. Everyone compliments me on him.

 If anyone I know asks about buying a Friesian, I will send them your way. Thank you again for working with me thru the process and having the owner from Holland contact me right away when I called.
Sincerely,
Victoria in Florida

Hi Janna,
You said I would be in for a treat, he is just perfect! His personality is wonderful, I think my heart skipped a beat when he stepped off the trailer. Amalfi has moved right in to his new home, feeling very welcomed, the rest of the barn was also excited to meet him. I turned him out for a stretch, he really performed, but came right up to me when it was time to go in. I fell in LOVE with him... BIG BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL, WHAT AN AMAZING ANIMAL.

I'm so glad I went with your farm for my purchase, it was love at first sight, my husband could not believe how beautiful Amalfi is in person.
I can't tell you how happy I'm with Amalfi, your the BEST. THANKS! YOUR THE BEST,

Glenda in Maryland

Floris is an exceptional horse and we are very happy with him. He is a fast learner in dressage and very talented.
Karen

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

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

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

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! 

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.

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.

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

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!