Testimonials

Hi Jana,
Hope your show went well. It's taken me a little time to write to you because we had a show at Brookside last week as well.
I wanted to let you know that Gerben is settling in well, and we all LOVE him! He is going to be perfect for Victoria , and, darn!, I get paid to ride him! He was so cute the first day I rode him here - I don't think he has ever seen a white horse before?! He grew to 18 Hands, and started calling, but then he went right back to work. We plan to take things slowly with him, but already he remembered Tuesday's lessons on Wednesday. I have forty acres here, and took him for a ride around the property, and he thought it was cool!
It was good to meet you, and thanks for Gerben!
Lesley [Gerben's trainer]
Update May 1, 2005
Hi Jana,
Gerben is truly wonderful. He has discovered that people will give him treats and he has become quite the beggar, but always a gentleman. Leslie is right, he will be perfect for me. He is extremely intelligent, forgiving and kind when ridden and has a great work ethic. Leslie keeps asking me “Do you know how lucky you are?” every time Gerben proves himself to be trustworthy and sane even when other horses are cantering around and knocking down jumps in the arena. For such a young horse he is amazingly sensible. Thanks again for your courtesy in allowing Leslie and I to spend the day at your stable, and also for the wonderful gift of Gerben.
Yours,
Victoria (Gerben's owner)

Hello Janna,
I called your trainer. She was so good to me. Talked of Eelke also. I liked her instantly. I also asked her if she would ride him. She said she would. I still cannot believe that I am doing this. Spending alot of money for a horse I have only seen on a computer. But between you and Eve I feel so good about deciding to finally do this. I am getting very excited that it really is happening. Thank you so much. Thank you for your offer of help and access phone number to reach you in person.
Lisa in Montana
Update May 2
Hello Janna,
What a horse this Eelke is. He is EXACTLY what his pictures and video are. I could have come to the farm and picked him out in a line up. I still don't have the words for him. When I look at him I'm still speechless. The transport men were very impressed with your horses as I am. They said there is not an ugly one at your place. And my gosh I was so impressed with the other friesians on their trailer: Felicity and Gucci. She is the perfect princess mare. What a face. What an eye. She was kind. (If she ever needs another home I want to be called about it) Gucci is Mr. Social show off. He was pure social; the only word. And a ham. And in love with a beautiful little Welsh mare in the other stall. We are all very lucky owners. Thank you Janna; for this horse, for making it possible for me.
Lisa in Montana

Hi Janna,
Erwin got here about midnight on Saturday. I had to walk Erwin up a rather dark road with dogs running out and barking and he just walked along like he had done it a million times. He is adjusting to his new life here very well. He is getting along famously with the other horses and is very enamored with the mares. I know the two of us will grow old together because my horses stay with me for the duration. Erwin is not only stunning but a real joy to be around. I really like how enthusiatic he is about everything. He watches me from a distance and when he sees me getting his halter he is right there ready to go do whatever. He is quite the handsome boy. We had a celebration here at the house this past Saturday for my retirement and he was the hit of the party. Everyone remarked about how beautiful he is and what a nice sweet disposition he has. I started riding him a little yesterday and today. I have been hand walking him around the neighborhood and he doesn't seem to be bothered by much of anything. He is always eager to go and do things and seems to enjoy looking at new things. He is very smart and catches on to things very quickly. I can tell he is going to be a real special guy and I am sure we will have many years of great times together. Take care
Victoria

Hi Janna,
Well Derk has been here a little over a month and you forgot to tell us what a ham he is! Bring out a camera and he strikes the pose! He is so smart and loving. He soaks up everything like a sponge. Even though he is a big boy, he is so careful around the kids and you never mentioned his fondness for kitties! No matter what you are doing, if one of the barn cats comes up, he must stop everything to give his full attention to that cat! It is really hysterical.
But truthfully once you are in the saddle he is ready to work. We have been taking him out on the trails and though he is so observant/ curious he is all business. If something spooks him a little, he gets around it beautifully. One afternoon I was grooming him and a tractor came right up behind him to pick up the garbage cans….as long as he could see it he carefully watched it. When the tractor returned with the empty cans, he ignored it completely. The same happened when he was on this small trail that intertwines the pastures. A crane flew up in front of him from about 10 feet away. He stopped and watched it fly off and resumed walking along as if nothing happened. Everything about his temperament and ground manners you showed and told me are reaffirmed daily. He is is wonderful guy. I have fallen in love with him (in fact so has all the gals at the barn) and the breed!
Thanks again,
Krys (Derk's trainer)

Hello Janna!
He made it safe and sound. Alexander is absolutely an oversized "puppy" and has more presence than ANY of the photos portrayed. Thank you for everything and we're thoroughly enjoying our newest family member. Have a great day and good luck on the circuit this year!

1 year later.................................

Hello Janna, Alexander has settled into his new family and routine. Hannah and Thomas are very comfortable around our "gentle giant". He is a wonderful boy with many hidden talents that we're discovering daily (the Dutch Cavalry has requested his presence this September). We will keep in touch and let you know when we're heading "stateside".

Sarah in Belgium
P.S. Once again, the best of luck on the circuit this year!

By the way, Sarah is getting along brilliantly with Alexander (the 10 year old gelding she got through you). She is finding out he knows WAY more than she does but will probably be ready to show him next spring. This is encouraging since it proves YOU DO KNOW QUALITY. He is a healthy, beautiful boy who is very well taken care of. He truly is a wonderful family horse.
Teresa, also in Belgium

I can only thank you, which seems to fall short of how much I appreciate your honesty and helpfullness in making it possible to have this beautiful Mariska at our farm. She is not only a gorgeous Oege mare, but also affectionate, and a wonderful mother. After all she had been through with the flight, 2 week stay in Kentucky, giving birth 2 days after she arrived, she is still calm, considerate and loving. The colt is strong, fearless, animated...and early!! This was our first experience with an import, but as painless as you helped to make it, I hope to do business with you again next year. Thanks!!!

2 years later....
We bought Mariska, out of Oege, from you 2 years ago and just love her! Her foal this year out of Goffert received a 1st Premie, and was RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION at the keuring!
Thanks! Debra in Tenn
Foot Hill Friesians

Congrats to Meindert, 3rd in the country for USDF Year End All Breed Awards:

 2007 First Level Dressage

...With a 63% average!!!!!

Hi Janna!
Tjibbe is home safe and sound! He arrived around 9am I have just been watching him the last few hours trying to convince myself he is really mine! He is SO sweet and seems to know he is home! When people say the pictures do not do them justice, they are right he is absolutely STUNNING and yes he KNOWS IT! I am really happy and how well he made all the travel everyone really kept in contact with me from NY to let me know he doing great (and also sent pictures!) the whole process went really smooth! I can not THANK YOU enough for this wonderful horse! Thanks again, Janna for all the time you spent in making this happen for me, he is truly beautiful and we LOVE him!
Janna really thank you SO SO much for listening to me and being there and quick to answer my e-mails and offer advise! Thanks a million,
Kathleen in Michigan

Janna,
Annabel is doing great. She is feeling relaxed in her new surroundings. I've had her in the arena twice, and she is quickly growing comfortable with all of the mirrors. She thinks that Friesian in there is cute!

Dear Janna, As you can see from this photo, Annabel and I make a beautiful team. She is just wonderful!! She ALWAYS comes directly to the gate when she sees me approach. She is curious, kind, friendly, and calm. We are going on a trail ride in the snow this afternoon. Big storm here in Utah, probably the last of the winter season. I think she'll enjoy getting out with another horse and rider.
Thanks for everything,
Alice in Utah

HI JANA,

I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT ALEX AND AREND ARE DOING GREAT - WE ALL JUST LOVE HIM - DICK ESPECIALLY! WE HOPE TO HAVE ME SHOW HIM AT MONTEREY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

LAUREL NELSON , American Saddlebred Exhibitor in KY

Hi Janna,
Wout arrived Friday, February 4th. He is so beautiful. We released him into a pen and he ran, bucked, and kicked for a while, then layed down & rolled. He was happy! It has been so nice to head out the back door & walk to the stables & pastures to play & spend time with Wout. He comes when I call him, easy to catch in the big pasture. He has been so much fun. He even bowed for me last week. I didn't know he had been trained to bow too. Everyone at the barn has fallen in love with him. He a big hit. He is such a good boy!
He is so good he has been named the "gentle giant."

Debbie in Texas

Mieke is doing wonderfully. 

 I can't even begin to describe to you how far she has come along and how amazing she is to me as far as training and disposition. We managed to survive the summer pretty well.  It got brutal here as far as the heat.  I had to change their schedules to be in during the day and out at night.  Mieke enjoyed standing at the gate while I sprayed her with the hose. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Andy in Atlanta