Testimonials

The one that I believed to be extra-special would not be easy to find on one’s luckiest day. I wanted her to be a Model Mare with unique bloodlines and I wanted her to have both performance and endurance blood. She would have to have the full pedigree and an excellent dam line. My friend called me because she had found “The Holy Grail” of horses; she had found my ideal Model Mare! Ursl ‘Fan Aut’, the undefeated 2003 & 2004 Zilveren Zweep Champion. She was so elegant, regal and breathtaking!  I was crazy happy, beside myself really, to be given such a gift from God. I knew He had been testing my patience and the reward was great indeed. Ursula Ursula Ursula, as we call her, would soon arrive to her new home in the USA. She was extremely obedient but there was something a little distant in her manner. I know it is a lot for any horse...plane trip, quarantine, a strange new home and the unfamiliar language. She would wait in the back of the stall until someone came all the way in to get her. That worked fine at first as this was her normal routine with her previous owner. I was determined to strike a deeper connection so after several weeks I stopped at the door and explained to her that I would simply wait for her to come...to me. I told her that, “I’m going to make you love me’’ and then I would laugh out loud to myself as I continued to wait. The first few times she would turn around and come to me out of a sheer curiosity and we would be on our way. The next few times, I think she came to me because she was learning she would be lavished with lots of grooming and tasty licorice flavored candy. Eventually it came to pass that the moment she would see my car, she would wait by the stall door or pasture gate with an intense look that says ”Here I am. Over here. Come and get me. I want to be with you!” She is extraordinary. This mare, my Ursula. Ursula and I have become so close it brings tears to my eyes every time I think of her. She has an intense fire to her work ethic and a great desire to learn new dressage movements...but yet she has the kindest demeanor. She does not like conflict and runs from trouble.
One of the defining moments in my relationship with Ursula came a few years ago. I was in the back of her pasture and another horse, a warmblood, jumped the fence and appeared to be coming right at me at full speed. Out of nowhere, faster than lightning itself, Ursula ran over and placed herself between me and the invading horse, determined to make him stand down. She was resolved to fight for my safety before thinking of her own, despite her non-confrontational nature. The warmblood quickly jumped back over into his pasture. Ursula literally saved my life and I owe her more than I could ever convey. She loves me and would sacrifice herself to prove it. Ursula was able to achieve her sport predicate almost entirely through her own effort. With my amateur seat on her back, I ride three or more days a week and my trainer attempts to reverse any adverse effect I may have inadvertently impressed upon her with one and sometimes two rides a week. Most advanced dressage or driving horses have a full time trainer or are sent away for a few months in order to achieve their predicate. My special girls humor me and learn the vital skills for competition in far less than 45 minutes a week. Both of my mares,  together with Ursula's son, Roark, in such a relatively brief time have given more than I could have ever expected in a single lifetime. These horses are dear friends and give their all. Every day they amaze me with a new facet to their beings with their generosity, compassion and wisdom. I believe they are capable of doing anything they put their heart to!

-Kimberly in NJ

(Reprinted from ambassadorfriesians.com)

Thank you! We're very excited and pleased!

-John in Vermont

Update...
Durk arrived safe and sound yesterday, he is lovely! and very sweet! Wilhelm arrives tuesday. thanks again,

Kirsten, trainer in Vermont

Hi, Janna!

First, I am NUTS about Durk and, especially, Wilhelm! They are gorgeous, wonderful to ride. and total love bunnies!!

Second, Justin looks wonderful (as well). If he's everything you say he is, then I definitely want him right away.  Thanks for everything!

John in Vermont

warwick is doing amazing!!!!! Thank you for all your honesty and integrity--making a smooth seamless transaction:)
-Laini

Janna,

Twan is so beautiful and glad that he made it here in Atlanta just fine. I think we found a dressage trainer for him and a nice stable to board him in. We are so excited to have him and we want the best of everything for him. Thank you so much for your help!
Sincerely,
Christine in GA

I love him and think he is such a sweetheart!

Lynn in Ohio

Hi Jana,

We just arrived back to Fallbrook this morning. Kim is very pleased with the horse!! He's even better in person.

The horse is everything you said he was and more. Thanks!!!

Update...
We just love our new baby! He is adjusting well, making new friends with the other horses, dogs, mini cow-Lilly Belle and Bart the Pygmy goat. Thank you, we will look to you for guidance as we move along into the Friesian world. Doeke is very special and is in a very loving home.  Thanks again we are very happy.

Kim and Dan

Update...
Hi! STORMY IS HERE!!!!! HE IS MAGNIFICENT!!! He looks great- very bright eyed and full of energy. John said he looked well hydrated so maybe the trip (from CA to NC) wasn't too hard on him. We let him run around and play in the indoor arena, he looked very happy to be off the truck. We fed him peppermints and apples and he was very sweet and friendly. OMG - I have to say I am a bit intimidated by his size. That will take a few days to get use to, he is huge!!!! I know you guys are used to their size but remember my last horse was a 5 gaited PONY.LOL. The kids don't have school tomorrow so we will be at the barn bright and early to spoil him some more. Many Thanks again for sure a beautiful horse!!!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

6 months later... Hey Janna! I showed the Storm at Asheville for the first time.He is the BEST! LOVE HIM MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY!! I will be forever grateful to you for him! He is such a sweet, wonderful horse.
Suz in S.C.

We tremendously appreciate you and all that you have done for us. 

We made it home safe and sound.  Orpheus is such a magnificent animal!  He was so well behaved both in the trailer and off loading.

--Janet, Matthew and Melissa

Update...
Orpheus is doing beautifully. Melissa is finally able to get to the stable to ride him often. They trailer frequently with a trainer, whose daughter is close to Melissa, to various parks camping and going out on trail. He has begun training in Dressage and is advancing nicely.

I can't wait to meet him!

It's been GREAT working with you again.

Thanks again.

Susan in NY

Thank you for helping me purchase the horse of my dreams. 

Update...
JANNA!!! I LOVE HER! You were right! She so beautiful and elegant. Thank you for all your help and for being so pleasant and professional. I look forward to raising this beautiful filly and making her reach her full potential! Thank you so much! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

Update... Hi Janna! Its Selenas mom! She is so beautiful! Really starting to mature already! Such a beautiful head this girl has! I look forward to getting another friesian from you again in the future. She really is what you said she would be. I love an honest business person! :) Thanx for all your advice and help  and thanks again for this amazing horse. 

-Lori in Las Vegas

He is here, he is fine, and very sweet!!

Thanks for all your trouble (getting him here).

Karen in Utah

Hello Janna,

I just wanted to email you and let you know that Bauke T, which I purchased from you, is such a wonderful and sweet stallion. He is showing now in dressage and of course drives. We will be showing him the latter of this month. 

Everyone loves him!!!! Hope all is well with you and your horses.

Best Regards,

Patsy in Wilson, NC.

Dear Janna
  Piet (my trainer) loves Raisa as you said. She also said that you really took good care of me with your counseling. Raisa is as spectacular as you thought and will be shown this weekend. Take care!

1 year later...
Raisa is truly doing well. Placed right behind Leslie Webb (Olympic rider) at DG Bar at second level with my trainer.Zhemel is six months old next week. Everyone is impressed by her. She seems bright, willing. Her athleticism is unbelievable. I believe I told you she did figure of eight in the 12 x 24 stall with balanced flying lead changes at one day of life. BK [Berber] is the most unbelievable horse. She naturally collects the canter and does what you think with minimal aids - a natural dressage queen (not princess or duchess).Warno remains by first love as my only son. He gave me back my life. I recall my first trip to your stable and my inability to lift my left leg six inches after the injury which many thought (including myself) would end all athletic endeavors. I can never thank you enough for everything.

Update...
The BSF clan here is Fresno is doing well. Zhemel (Berber K's filly) has a mane to the bottom of her neck and forelock over halfway down her face.  I have begun to crop her tail at l l/2 year old.  She is as sweet as she is beautiful.  

3 Years Later... 
I continue to watch your site and wanted to congratulate you on the Del Mar show.  Barend was at Black Sterling when I saw the video of Raisa and decided to purchase her. You recommended that I not be put off by her small size after arrival - good things come in small packages. This year my trainer, Gwen Blake, rode her in championships and she was 4th place for 4th level open. I also obtained my last score riding Raisa for my bronze medal. She is an incredible mare. Although she is already qualified as a sport predicate, I am waiting to get the scores myself to send in the paper work. I remember when I drove up to Black Sterling for the first time and met Ron and he helped me with Warno. Warno is my love and is so kind. He rehabed me and I now do not have a limp.

Without your kindness, help and encouragement, I would never have been able to recover to the extent that I have. With the warmest thoughts,

Elizabeth  (Warno, Raiza, and Berber's mommy--all from BSF!]

Hi Janna,
Alexis and Della won the WT rider National Championship, Reserve in the National Pleasure Championship at age 11 for Alexis that will be hard to top.

Do you remember how hard we worked for those titles?

Della won the Baroque Mare In hand World Championship and the Liberty purebred mare World Championship. We got Reserve in the yearling World Championship with Della's Colt by Maiko. He is going to be a really neat colt and he needed this trip off the ranch to the real world! He is a favorite in my book.

We were pretty pleased but then again our horses came from your barn so not too unexpected! We all agree that you have good taste, or taste that we like a lot. I just thought that the picture of Della with your banner in the background was neat!

See you soon, totally jealous that you are going to the Netherlands....
Diane in Montana