Testimonials

Janna,
Stella and Ella arrived today!!!! They are incredible looking mares!! Melissa & I are enjoying our new found friendship and can't wait to start riding!! Stella is so incredibly gorgeous!! Better than I even imagined she would be. They came through in great shape and didn't seemed stressed from their long trip...Kudos to Nationwide Horse Transporters on their professionalism and care of these priceless ladies!!!

Thanks again for fulfilling a dream for me!!!

Jennifer in Utah

Wobbe is making everyone all gushy. He gets all the attention and I just love him! Tracey (my trainer) loves him too and is riding him as well as training me. Thank you so much!  thanks endlessly again!
6 months later......
I've been meaning to send you a hello. Wobbe sends his love too. and he IS a love. He is so affectionate. And he is generous and friendly with all of our other horses. I will gladly give him a carrot for you, but he prefers .................. bananas. He smothers them on his lips and laps away. It is such a scene. Wobbe has been having the time of his life on our farms. He roams the turnouts farther and farther from his stall door with each day. The first time I rode him outside of our rings it was alot like riding a giraffe. His neck was in the way of me seeing where we were going. He's now much more content with the freedom of our hay fields. And has stayed in great shape with the terrain. We will head back to Scottsdale, and our dressage curriculum, in October. I am learning to love his sitting trot and I fall in love with his canter even more every day. It is the closest thing to flying I've ever known. Delicious!

One year later and we fall more in love every day! Wobbe has spent the winter at Valhalla Farm in Wellborn Florida and has been breaking hearts in a new state once again. He' s been under the direction of the Brinkmans and a German lass who treats him like the king he is. She will be showing him soon before he comes back to Iowa for the summer- where I hope to enter the dressage ring for my first time. Yesterday and the day before we tried the Piaffe for both his and my first time ever. And he lifted us off the ground with grace and elegance from the start. He is just brilliant. So dedicated to both work and his Don Juan abilities. I am so honored that he is in my life!

Anne & Wobbe in Iowa for the summer, and Florida for the winter

I had been researching Friesians on the Internet for almost two years. I even learned a little Dutch because I thought I would go to the Netherlands to buy a Friesian. I am so glad I didn't. I was very impressed with all of the horses that were being sold by Black Sterling Friesians. I liked their selection policy, because they look for Friesians with good movement, good color, good hair and short coupling. I really didn't want a long-backed Friesian with muddy coloring, and no hair that cannot move properly. In the two years I searched for a Friesian, I never saw one on the Black Sterling Friesian site that I would not want to own. When I spoke to Janna over the phone, she was very interested in placing the right horse with me. She took the time to talk to me about what I wanted in a horse, and what my abilities were so that she could find the right horse for me. I did not have any reservations about buying Maverick sight unseen, because I trusted Janna completely. In fact, I was nervous that someone else would buy Maverick if I waited.

Maverick is the perfect horse for me. I would encourage anyone who is looking for a nice Friesian gelding to give Janna a call.

5 years later.......
Things are going great with Maverick and me. In my new job, I am frequently off early during the week, so I can at least make it out to ride once a week or so. Maverick has turned out to be very gentle and easy to ride, so I no longer take lessons at the stable. I ride him in the indoor and outdoor arenas, and he is so good on the city streets that I take him around the neighborhood alone, either riding or driving, quite often.
Owning Maverick and being a part of such a fun stable has really been a great experience for me. Maverick is so sweet and I love him so much, and I also enjoy the new friendships I have made at the stable.
Maverick is a great horse. They turn him out in the front pasture, where everyone can see him as they drive by, and the neighbors are always asking who owns the beautiful Friesian. I am proud to say he is mine.
Bart in Chicago

Hi Janna!!
Henry is absolutely perfect. When he walked into the barn, he whinnied to say hello to everyone...walked right into his stall and settled right in, and didn't make a peep after that. He isn't dramatically bigger than Brecht Ana, but he's way shorter than Wisse...which is what I wanted. He's right between the two. After he was there for a couple of hours, we put him outside about 1 1/2 hours for some fresh air and sunshine. He loved it. He acted like he wasn't too sure about the snow? We got some snow yesterday, just a little. He was tip toeing through it. His muscle build is beautiful, and his conformation is perfect. Henry is very sweet and I couldn't be happier. He is right next to Brecht Ana and they look adorable together.
Thanks again Janna!!!!
5 months later.....

Henry is doing fantastic. He's a really good boy. Wisse's doing great too. We're doing a clinic with Conrad Schumacher in a couple of weeks, I think that Wisse will really shine against the Warmbloods. :)

Michele in CO

Just wanted to let you know that I am so pleased with her--she is even more beautiful than her pictures!! And she is just so sweet. Thanks so much for everything.  Just wanted to let you know that I am so pleased with her--she is even more beautiful than her pictures!! And she is just so sweet. Thanks so much for everything.
6 months later.......
 Maaike and Xander are doing great! I have ridden her on my land with her boy along side and it works great. I couldn't have chosen a better horse for my first time back in the saddle since I was bucked off by my throughbred mare and broke my arm! Maaike took really good care of me on my first ride and I had my confidence back in just a few minutes!! She is so calm and sweet and responsive. Xander is just shy of 13 hands already at just over 4 mos... I love Maaike--she is so quiet and steady. I took her on a trail ride last weekend with some friends and everyone on the trail commented on how beautiful she is. This was my first trail ride since my accident and my first trail ride on her!! She was absolutely great--through water, up and down hills, over bridges!!! A part of the trail went along a river but the trail was 40 feet above on a very steep hillside--I was so comfortable on her it didn't bother me in the least!! I'm going to start Dressage Lessons on her--I just can't wait! What can I say--she is a wonderful mare and I just love her to pieces!!! Thanks so much for selling her to me! I will be contacting you soon for my next mare search. Thanks for everything!

Update...
Maaike's 2008 colt received a FIRST PREMIUM at the Kuering last week!!!
I can never thank you enough for selling me this wonderful mare--she is not only a delight to be around and a great riding horse but also a great producer and a great mom!! Thanks again!!!!

Update:  Maaike did it again—her 2009 colt, Friso van Harmony, by Feike 395, was named Reserve Champion.  This mare is a great producer and the most wonderful mother and the sweetest Friesian I’ve ever known—thanks so much!

Pamela in Wisc

Just thought I'd drop you a note and let you know that Rose seems totally settled in! Rose loaded beautifully and was quiet the whole ride, then stepped off the trailer and went right to work mowing the pasture. She has been unbelievably calm and sweet, and follows us around the pasture like a puppy dog.
Again, thanks for everything. I'll send you a photo of the baby when it arrives.
Thanks again.

6 months later........
Rose is doing very very well, and so is her baby Willy. He'll be three months old next week. Rose continues to be a sweetheart and I have nothing but happy things to report about her. Can't wait until I am riding her again!
Willy is a riot. Having never had a foal before, he has been quite the learning experience for all of us. He has a real personality and since Rose never disciplines him (well, very rarely) he gets away with all kinds of inappropriate baby horse behavior. He's learning his manners, though, and once I put him out with other babies and some geldings, I am sure he'll learn he's not the boss. Neither of them have had a sick or off day, they both love to eat and they've been just as happy as can be. Willy's head is changing a lot and I can't decide yet whether he'll favor Rose's beautiful head or Monte's more rugged/regal look. Either is fine with me--both his parents are gorgeous. Hope all is well in Sonoma. I haven't visited your website in a while but every now and then I do, just for fun.

1 Year Later....I had been meaning to write you over the last month but kept forgetting.  The insurance renewal gave me a good reminder, since it showed the exact date of the first anniversary since I brought Rose into our family.Rose is fully in training now and I absolutely adore her.  She is smart, loves people, and is a perfect horse for me.  Caroline (trainer) loves her too.  I can't thank you enough for connecting me both with Rose and Caroline. Colt Willy is doing fine, too. Caroline is encouraging me to ride Rose in some training level tests this Spring, and I think I will.  Every one who sees Rose just loves her.  It is great fun to ride a horse that is such a show stopper.So, thanks again.  Hope all is going well for you. 
Cynthia

Janna,
He is quite stunning.He has such a good nature
Thanks!!!

I dont want to bother you but I must tell you of how wonderful my entire neighborhood and of course myself-think Sass is. We live within walking distance to a large river here in New Mexico and next to the river are lovely trees and brush. However, we have very dry conditions now with episodes of high winds. Last friday I looked out my kitchen window and saw One Hundred foot flames burning all the trees and brush across the street, coming directly at our farm. Of course I was horrified, called 911 and ran with my panicked dogs to the truck to hook the horse trailer up. The adult horses (3) were horrified and in a panic, Sass was also very scared. However, not only did he walk calmly into the trailer, he remained that way at the evacuation site. I am so proud of him. He is famous as the entire neighborhood could not believe he was not a mess.
Thank you again for this wonderful horse, I will enjoy him for years to come.

6 months later.....
Both my husband Eddie and I love him more everyday! He has grown like a WEED... Beautiful bone structure with an elegant swan neck-just perfect. Thanks for helping us find this 'fabulous asset' to our family!

Update...
I know you sell many horses and don’t expect you to remember them all, but I did purchase a one year old from you a few years ago-he is awesome, the personality of a puppy.
Helen in New Mexico

 1 year later....
Hi Janna,
Watze and I will be attending the IFSHA show in St. Louis next week. 

Everyone who sees Watze go says he is one of the nicest Friesians they have encountered.

I rode in a clinic with Jane Savoie and she just loved him. We are doing really well and becoming quite a partnership.

We will be showing in the regional dressage championships in November.

 Thanks!!!!

Karen in Texas

Hi Janna –
Yes, we are very excited!!! I would also love to visit!! How sweet you are!! Anyway, thanks again – even though I don’t know you – you seem absolutely wonderful!!!

Update...
I know you spoke with Bill this afternoon, but I just wanted to reiterate that Firenze is amazing!! We are really happy!! He is even more beautiful than I imagined even after seeing so many pictures of him!! (don’t tell him I said “beautiful” – you know how boys are!!) did I say spirited?????? Ha ha – this boy has some energy!! He traveled very well – drank water right away and seemed to adjust great to his new home. I do want to mention as well that Keith [the hauler] was very very nice and seemed to genuinely care about the horse and us as well – pretty nice combination!!
So…….. thanks again for everything!!
Now, did you have to put Illano on your website just to torture me??? LOL you know, reaching the big 50 later this year I have been considering finding a sweet, mellow, trail horse for myself……. Are you some kind of mind-reader??? Ha ha
So, I suppose it will be another sleepless night thinking about your beautiful horses……..
Aleida

Janna,
She is more gorgeous than when I saw her in CA. There was ice and snow on the drive from the road to the barn and she handled it like a trooper. Her barn mates are all guys and she let them know she had arrived!!!. My 14 yr. old son who has never been too fond of horses went with me to see her and stayed in the barn talking to her after I left!! She definitely makes an impression.
Thanks so much for all your help. We plan on taking her to Ohio in October for the Friesian World Championships!! My husband is going out to see her this weekend and I think he just might decide he needs one too.  She is just a dream and the envy of the barn. Ken (a confirmed warmblood enthusiast) is just in love with her. She is so kind and forgiving when you give her mixed messages and she just loves everyone. She has become a peppermint addict and knows exactly where the box is in the barn as well as which pocket you have them in. Thanks so much for a wonderful horse.

Ymke (Zegna) did fantastic at her first show in the states. She took overall high point champion and ended the weekend with an average of 67%. This was great considering the judging was extremely tough and the scores were very low. This weekend we head off to the Ky Horse Park for a 3 day show and we hope to continue with our success. By the way, the BSF saddle we received from Holland fits Ymke like a glove.
Ken, (trainer in Indiana)

Just wanted to let you know that the weekend was a success at KDA(Kentucky Dressage Association). We had a great show with good scores in Training Level and First Level. One of the judges from California was really impressed with Ymke(Zegna) and there were several friesians there. I can't tell you how thrilled I am with her. She is so kind and level headed but such a hard worker. Thanks again for such a great horse.
 
Just an update to let you know that Ymke is now qualified for regionals (training level) and has one qualifiying score at First Level and will hope to get the second one in August. She has caused quite a buzz!!! Just to let you know she got a 79% score at the Kentucky show!!! She is averaging over 63% in first level and over 68% training level. What a great horse!!!
Mary Sue in Indiana

She has become the talk of every show that she has attended. We are qualified for Training level and with one attempt at first level we scored 70%. Her last show she took overall high point and High Point at both Training and First levels. Her first show she scored a 79% and won overall high point. I took her to a Jeff Moore clinic and after riding her Jeff commented “WOW, this Friesian has REAL Dressage gaits”. Of course we all knew that ahead of time.
Marysue, Ymke’s owner is madly in love with her and everyone in the barn has a bad case of Friesian envy. When we look to add another Friesian to our stable, you will be the first place we look.
Ken, trainer at Legacy Farm Dressage in IN

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.

Patsy in Wilson, N.C.