Testimonials

 I am sitting here in tears. 

I am so excited to see our boys...  I go to your website daily, sometimes I look at the horses, sometimes I read the testimonials. all times I am amazed that Jim is truly making my dreams come true... they are magnificently beautiful...  It is getting close now....  we will send pictures.

Louise in Florida

Janna,

The boys arrived safe and sound.

Louise is thrilled with them, thanks again for making my brides dream come true.
They are both beautiful animals we love them more each day.

Update... Louise has been riding both of them. Gerke has been in training here at our place prepping for a dressage show, which was yesterday in Venice, Florida. Gerke entered in USDF Intro Level A&B tests both Saturday and Sunday. In the A test scored 70.5% ,in the B test later in the day he scored 71%, that 71 was the high score of the day out of 82 horses in any class! I think that is great because he trains three days a week and has four days off, we started only about six weeks ago prepping  for the test.   Jim in Florida                                                                                                  

Hi Janna,

I've never met such a calm and friendly 6 mo. old. We absolutely love him!!!!

His movement is breathtaking. He even did a piaffe all on his own and everyone's jaw dropped. What a precious little man.
Thank you!!!!

Update...
It has been a while; 2 1/2 years to be exact! Pagni and I are having the time of our lives together. He is the most willing horse I have ever worked with! When this beautiful creature came into my life i wasn't sure if I could train him by myself. I was pretty sure that at some point he would have to go off to some trainer somewhere. Problem was I couldn't let him go to just anyone! We had done so much ground work together and it finally occurred to me that I had to be the first to drive/ ride him. Well, we are about to hook him to the cart and I have sat on him several times (he is still young!) but he is doing wonderfully!

We have taken this journey together and have you to thank! You told me that friesians are willing participants and very trainable- Thank you!!!! A well known driving trainer came to see him last week and commented that 1 in 10 horses are truly drivable and Pagni is one of those!

I am so proud of both of us and so glad I made the leap two and half years ago to call you. He is my dream come true!
 
Gwen in Knoxville, Tn 

Hi Janna,  

I hope your shopping adventure went well.  Milo (Cache)  has been a hit at my barn!!   Best regards, 

Julie in San Diego

Update....

Hi Janna, This is Allison Harding, I am Julie Rosen's Trainer (Cache's new mommy.) Cache is doing GREAT.  His new name is "Milo" and he is very popular here.  I just love him.  Thanks again, Allison

Thank you Janna, for bringing me great horses,&  for your support! You know I will love all 3 with ALL my heart! And so will my kids!

Thank you for helping me &  finding them for me – Thanks for being so patient with me – I so appreciate it and love being at your stable with my horseS (wow double plural now).

 I am so happy with both of them.

Hope to see you soon,

Marielle

Hey there, I have finally dried the tears from my eyes.....It is not enough to say He is SPECTACULAR!!!!  He is more than I ever expected, and then some!!! 

Joppe is absolutely everything I wanted, I was a bit sceptical  I would have to admit, because we never met, but Joppe is soooooo beautiful, kind, gentle, and patient!!!! I am soooo happy there are not enough words to describe!!!Thank you so very much for everything you did and provided, for me and Joppe!! It is really appreciated and I will recommend ya to others, forsure, you have a fabulous gift of matching horses and people, and maybe one day down the road I will need another freisian!!!  I think I have been bitten and have Friesian fever and I am sure it is contagious!!!

Update...

my daughter Mariah (she is 15yrs old!!!!) and Joppe at a show yesterday and yes that is a red ribbon, Joppe's 1st canadian ribbon, how great is that!!!!  Joppe was an absolute perfect gentlemen,and show boy!! it was an all Friesan show, and wasn't far from us so we couldn't resist taking him, and of course he was the most beautiful guy there!!!! You should have seen his victory lap, I think he knew he won!!!! and was showing off!!!!   We just love, love, love him!!! Thanx again for such a fabulous horse!! Hugs!!

Update...Not sure if you remember us but I purchased Joppe from you 5 yrs ago .....Just wanted to say hi and let you know Joppe is just awesome he is such an amazing guy I just love him to bits he is such a special and spectacular boy! He brings me joy daily!!!!

UPDATE, 16 yrs later:

Good morning Janna, Just thought I would send you an update on my Joppe - he is now 21 1/2 (i bought him from you 16 yrs ago!!!). Luv him to bits, the best riding pal - hoping to share many more riding years/ miles together. I have had horses my whole life - I am now 55. None as special as him, he is the gentlest kindest boy. He is luved by everyone that meets him.

-Joppe and Charmaine in Canada

Janna,

Tulip and Summer are growing though slower now in winter.  Tulip is still the bulkier one but those long legs of Summer's put her just above Tulip's butt - not by much. 

This is not a good photo, but shows the girls (Summer) in their winter garb.

Jane in Montana

thank you so much Janna, I loved dealing with you guys. It was so easy!!

he is very handsome....Thank you, this has been a great experience and I am positive you WILL do business with me again. :)  I'm sure people will be asking me about you and your establishment and I will send them the GREAT word.

Update...
It has been 7 months now and he has been in dressage training 5 months and is doing great!! He  is going to his first  dressage show next month. I am excited to show him off because he is so beautiful.

Update...
Just wanted to let you know that Nate won both of his classes at his first show AND won High Point for the entire show!!! I am soo happy with him.

Update...
Hi Janna, its been 2 years since I bought Nate from you and as you can see, were best buds. We just came back from a 3 day trail ride up in the Santa Ynez mountains and he was the best trail pony AND the most beautiful one!! We also just went last month to our 3rd dressage show and won firsts in our divisions with very high judges marks!! His new name around our barn is the Tow Truck because he escorted many crazy Arabians through the water. Luv him so much!!!!

Update... Nate is doing so well in and outside the show ring. We've been to several local rated dressage shows and he has literally cleaned up. I have shown with judges that are not friesian lovers and upon leaving the ring, they say, "Lovely friesian, beautifully ridden test." I love my boy, but he is different than any horse I have ever known. He is challenging, sweet...He helped me through a tough divorce, I can tell you that.I know that you are going through a tough time right now, but life goes on. You are sweet, tender and tough, and in this life, that's all you need. Nate and I got your back girl....you'll see me again wanting my next trusty steed to add to my crazy collection of horses. Luv ya,

Deede , Police Officer

Herb, Drew and I just want to thank you for a great time with Bas last weekend!!! He is one awesome horse and we are thrilled with our purchase. On Sunday, Herb and I were at the barn to say good bye to him and as we were loving on him, I heard Herb say to Bas (as Bas had him head on Herb’s chest) “you’re going to make me ride you, aren’t you??” I thought I was going to fall over – as Herb has made it perfectly clear to me that he wants NOTHING to do with horses!!!! He’s now a convert!! We have found a wonderful dressage trainer 10 minutes away from us who is moving to a new barn that is being built and when we met Lori, Herb asked her about lessons…FOR HIM!!! Herb adores Bas and that, in and off its self, in soooo wonderful and words cannot express my happiness and joy! We will be ordering the saddle package this week.Janna, please know that you have truly changed our lives and we thank you!

Update...
We are planning a Barn Welcome for Bas sometime next month – all our friends/family want to meet him and we thought it was a great idea to meet the people at our new barn and the barn owner LOVED the idea!! Herb’s mom is very excited to meet him, and asked if she could ride him too. Gretchen just turned 70 and how cool to have a horse that she can get on and feel safe!We are just so pleased that Bas is OURS!!!

Update...
Bas arrived and as always... is a star!!  Many, many thanks to you and Julia!!! Bas is the star of the barn! Everyone comments on how gorgeous AND big he is! We finally rode last night! Bas, was of course, wonderful. He takes such great care of me and tolerates all my mistakes! He is just the best! I must tell you that Julia was truly fantastic with me! She was patient and kind and treated me with such respect that I never felt stupid returning to riding! She gave me so much confidence with her words! It was very emotional for me being back in the saddle and Julia’s kindness will never be forgotten! It is amazing to me how much Bas means to our family already! Herb, who made it very clear when we got married, that he was NOT doing horses, is now buying breeches and paddock boots to trail ride on Bas. He never has had the experience of such a grand horse as Bas truly is! You, Julia and Black Sterling Friesians have changed our family’s life, which is rather profound! We cannot express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation enough, Janna. You all have become an extension of our family. We will keep in touch with emails and photos of our successes with Bas and his life in Southern California. I do believe, that in the future, we will be asking you to find us another Friesian. He is such a great guy and still the talk of the barn! We are going to be in Sonoma this weekend and would love to stop by and pick up a BSF sheet for Bas. Again, Many thanks for our awesome guy!

Update...
Bas is developing a wonderful topline and day by day becomes more supple and GORGEOUS! He loves to learn and wants to please SO much. I am hoping to take him to a few local shows (over 50 yrs old classes – walk/trot) in the next month or so. I will let you know how we do! He is still the center of attention for us! The barn is awed by his size and how lovable he is, as well as how he takes care of me!   We are so grateful and thankful that he is ours!! Again, I think of you each time we have a major success and quietly thank you for such a wonderful guy! YOU ROCK!

Update... Just saying a BIG thank you...again, as we celebrate 2 years with our Bas!! We are so in love with him, as is his trainer!! We had a huge barn party for his 10th birthday-carrot cake and all!! He loved being the center of attention!!

With sincere gratitude,
Herb, Colleen and Drew

He is absolutely amazing! Words can't describe how happy I am with him, in fact he's WAY better in every way then I ever would have expected! He's SO sweet and willing and follows me around like a puppy! He loves me and the barn keeper and the other horses at his stable already! He stands for being brushed without being tied, from start to finish!

I'm very happy with Bentley, you must be VERY careful about selecting the horses you buy!

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to anyone I know and maybe get a second friesian from you someday.


Thank you!

Maryanne in Canada

Menno is doing very well, he arrived last Friday to our ranch, quite tired for the long trip, but next day he was perfect. He is very handsome and great guy.
Thank you very much Janna for all it was very nice dealing with you.

Update...
 Menno is doing just fine!!!!
Thank you so much!! we received the most beautiful amazing horse!! We are so excited to have him here. Thanks again!!!!

4 months later...
Hi Janna!! As you can see Menno is the center of attention in the family !! we are so happy to have him here.  He is such a great horse, great with the kids and very easy  to ride. He is completely adapted to the ranch and the other horses. We can't thank you enough for giving us the great pleasure of having him with us.

Beatriz and Jorge in Mexico

He is P-R-E-T-T-Y NICE!!! What an incredible disposition for a stallion – Nobody can believe how absolutely sweet he is. He did not spook at anything new, was great in the cross-ties, LOVED his shower and adored his fresh, juicy apple, which he ate delicately, like a gentleman, after his workout! He has three very nice gaits, and LOTS of potential. Everyone LOVED the leather halter you so kindly sent, but the trainer is making me use an every day leather halter and use the fancy one for shows. He has a BEAUTIFUL body and looks EXTREMELY good under saddle. He is forward, not at all lazy, but also gentle when someone new gets on him. He welcomes you to his stall and seems to love being around people. An all round WONDERFUL horse! Thanks so much for ALL your help, Janna.

WOW, thanks Janna.
Have a GREAT visit to Holland, and remember we need all the good ones. I wish you could have heard the people at the barn today. Anyway, EVERYONE who came in contact with those two horses stopped in their tracks and even the barn manager had to have a picture taken AND the trainer wanted one of her daughter. The students who help the trainer all day, LOVE our Friesians, and two of her students just won Golds at the Summer Games. This trainer has done a remarkable job with Othello – we can’t believe it. She says he is just sooooo intelligent and wants to please. I tell you, Janna, the Friesians will win EVERYONE’S heart!!!! Terry was so thrilled today, to find out Delancy goes all googily and dreamy eyed over loves. So, we wish you a VERY successful search for the BEST - only YOU can do it!!!! Make sure you enjoy a carriage drive as well!!! Kind regards to you BOTH.

EVERYONE at the barn where Delancy is (at the dressage trainer's) LOVES him and they go all googly over him, because he is SO SO loving. He is so jet black, and travels in a beautiful dressage frame. On our day off, we were out visiting Othello (who is now doing all kinds of beautiful movements) and Delancy, and Terry compared him and your Ferrari (in terms of personality) ALL the way home!!!!

Update...
All three horses are at a really big show, all weekend. ALL have had a GREAT show season, with high point score, championships, reserve championships, and seconds (by narrow margins). Scores in the high 60’s AND mid to high 70’s. LOTS of good comments all round, and now they are generating some more interest. It has been worthwhile getting the good trainers, because the horses have shown dramatic changes, and are a credit to the breed. Odey has been doing SO well, she positively LOVES work. I am always wishing, and watching....You have had some WONDERFUL horses lately....
You just keep getting better and better at this.


1 year later...
Wow!
We had a GREAT show. Mainly first and some second ribbons, and two thirds (where Lutke (Delancy) and Othello were competing against each other). Anyway, ALL our Friesians did exceptionaly well - the ONLY Friesians among all the warmbloods. Lutke was Reserve Champion at his level, and Odey narrowly missed Reserve in her level, by .2. Othello beat Lutke in one class where they were first and second among a number of others. This was the Canadian Cup show.
Our Friesians did SO well, they developed spectators, and lots of stall visits, especially for Lutke. Taking Lutke for a walk there was like walking with a 'girl magnet'. Men were enchanted too, and one man stood in front of his stall for the LONGEST time, looking at him.

Update...
... thought I would send you an update on Delancy.

He is off to Hong Kong, leaving for LA next week for the Beijing Olympics.  He is one of the five member Canadian Paralympic Team, having been through all the horse qualifiers during the last several months.

Sheila in Canada

I just wanted to tell you how the boys are doing. They both arrived safe and sound. Dad LOVES Jesse. It is really cute to see my serious analytical Dad snuggle and talk baby with Jesse. I rode Jimte for about two weeks. My dad has been riding both. We have two really good trainers at Covered Bridge Barn. I’m going to be taking ground work lessons while my Dad learns how to ride properly. I can’t wait to start training Jimte to be a vaulting horse. :)  He’ll be a better mover than Buddy and a good size compared to 18.3hh Sadie. By the way my Mom is falling in love with the horses, and she was not a horse person. She just loves how gentle and loving they are with her.Not only are people in love with the Friesians but every one wants my tack! Man that saddle’s comfy. Dad’s tack just arrived yesterday, it’s gorgeous!!!! He’s going to love it. She’s gotten so interested in horses that she is willing to lead the horses, lunge them, feed, and muck for them!!! Miracle of miracles. These big boys have definitely been the show of the barn. Anyone and every one comes over to watch them. More than once I have heard them be called Majestic. I can see how Majestic got his name.

Thanks so much for making my life long dream possible.
Thank you Janna for letting me ride Jimte at Montery, and thank you Julia for teaching me how to drive Jimte. And I’m sure my Dad would give his paragraph or two of thanks if he wasn’t in Colorado. :) Thanks for everything.

Update...
Jimte and Jesse ( both from BSF) are doing great! They seem to be adapting to the weather and the horses around them. I ride Jimte for dressage training two times a week (sometimes three) and my dad rides Jesse once a week.  In spring, I will be doing a show with my trainer in Carmel. My mom has even fallen in love with the horses too and is considering riding! :)

-Holly

Janna,
She really is beautiful and I love her curiosity. I will be riding her before the week is out and I am excited. I can't wait until I get my fence and barn up so I can have her in my backyard where I can go out and see her anytime I want to!

Update...
Thanks so much, once again, for all your help. Black Sterling Friesians go above and beyond to make sure all worries are taken care of. Your friendliness doesn't end with the sale!! Merlot is doing great.  Jerry is the most amazed at how gentle Merlot is. As big as she is she is so elegant and lady like. She gets along with all the mares in the pasture. Everyone just loves her at the barn. I hope they like Neo (Nanne) as much!!   Thanks Again,

Update...I  fit the western the western tack on Merlot.   Merlot did very well....she did so well that I think that it won't take much to make her a really good trail horse and she is discovering she likes all the attention she is getting from people as well. Neo (Nanne) was the talk of the barn today. Everybody was coming in to see him. He is more dramatic than Merlot because of all his hair. They are alike but different as well.
I still feel as if I am living in a dream world.

 ...we are looking forward to our camping trip (with the horses). I am guessing that the two of them are going to attract so much attention that it will be difficult to get any real trail riding done! They are the celebrities of the barn and I have had more than one person tell me that having them around and watching them at liberty or being ridden is giving them Friesian envy. I think we got two great horses!

Lynn in Ohio