Anton 343, owned by Jim and Lorraine Paradinovich. Wander 352, owned by Mrs. Nina C. Miller. First fully approved American born Friesian Stallion. One of the best inbreeding coefficients available. Our herd, November 2005, photo by Marc DeLio. Reina TCF, Sjearp TCF and Lyra..fall 2005

About the Friesian Breed Friesian horses are the things dreams are made of. This spectacular breed of horse has the ability to catch your breath and make you look twice. Their smooth sleek black coats and high stepping action have turned the heads of many lovers of horses. The Friesians’ beginnings with humankind date back to the ice age. Descending from Equus robustus, a large primitive horse living in the area of Europe now known as the Netherlands, Friesians bloodlines were refined during the 16th and 17th centuries. The people of Friesland are to this day serious horse breeders who work hard to develop and preserve a horse unique to their culture. Throughout the middle ages the Friesian horse was proved a knights noble steed. Through trade or plunder, the migration of the Friesian in the Middle Ages was seen all throughout Europe. These heavy mounts were sought after to assist knights in battle. When the new world was discovered the Friesian also made its way over. Dutch settlers brought the breed to America. It is believed that the Friesian may have contributed to the bloodlines of what would eventually become the Morgan Horse, the Canadian Horse and the Tennessee Walking Horse. In America, crossbreeding soon resulted in the disappearance of the Friesian for several centuries. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when Thomas Hannon imported a number of these horses that the Friesian set hoof on the U.S. shore once again. Ever since, their popularity has been increasingly growing. The past 10 years the notice of Friesians has boomed. With their easy-going temperament, Friesians have captured the hearts of many horse lovers. Heavy-boned, jet-black, and high stepping, this breed makes a beautiful carriage horse as well as dramatic saddle and exceptional dressage horses. With an interest in the breed growing in dressage, breeding started changing to make for a lighter horse. The sport horse type Friesian is lighter boned than its traditional cousin, and that is where the differences end. The Friesian Horse Society approves of both types of Friesians: the lighter type similar to what evolved in the breed 200 years ago, and the traditional heavier type. With such a distinguished breed, guidelines for breeding are in order. Two registries guide Friesian breeders in their efforts to maintain the breed’s long-standing integrity. The Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA) and The Friesian Horse Society (FHS). The Friesian Horse Association of North America is the representation for the United States and Canada working with the original Friesian horse association, Friese Paarden Stamboek (FPS) in the Netherlands. Established in 1879, the FPS maintains the Europe Mother Studbook of the Friesian horse and has about 8,000 members around the world. To control the quality of horse being bred, the FPS requires that only foals with a dam in the main studbook (Mare Studbook or Foal Book) and a stallion with FPS-approved breeding privileges can be registered. The number of approved stallions in the United States is small, although approved stallions in the Netherlands are available to breeders through the importation of frozen semen. Over the past four decades, the Friesian horse has grown from a European legend to a common sight for many horse lovers here in the United States. No doubt the breed’s dramatic look and tractable temperament will continue to provide horse lovers with more reasons to cherish this majestic breed. In the Northern California foothills, we raise Friesians in as natural as possible herd setting. Our beautiful mares were selected for their pedigrees, achievements and temperment. We thoroughly support the Dutch Studbook, the KFPS, and will strive to maintain the breed as they have over the past 125 years. Our mares consistantly produce first and second premium foals. We spend time reviewing pedigrees and production records to produce foals that will improve the breed. To this end, we reserve the right to refuse a sale to anyone if we feel it is not in the best interest of our horses.   It is our goal to raise secure,  stable foals that can go on and suceed with their new owners in any discipline they choose.  We don't board horses, we don't train and sell older horses, we have concentrated on high quality foals because it is what we want to do.  The excitement of new little lives in the spring and developing their potential is most rewarding.