Rare opportunity to acquire one of our "keeper" horses. Stormy is one of the most winning saddleseat and driving Friesians shown on the west coast, and in the country. Originally shown in Friesian under saddle classes by Janna, Stormy has spent the last few years being ridden in Open English Pleasure classes by a junior rider, Julia Goldman, and is competing successfully on the USA Equestrian "A" circuit, winning at EVERY major west coast show, and has been wildly successful with Blu at the helm in driving classes. There are literally no more hurdles to conquer for us with this boy, we have won in nearly every division, at every show attended, INCLUDING the last two IFSHA Friesian Grand Nationals we attended...where Stormy walked away with numerous World and National Championships for his performances in: In Hand Amateur Handler, Amateur Pleasure Driving, Jr Exhibitor Saddleseat Pleasure, Ride and Drive, Saddleseat Equitation, etc. There is no question, Stormy is one of the MOST decorated and successful friesian show horses in the country, and he has been a lovely member of our family for the past several years--trailering to national parks, where Julia rides him on our family trail rides. We have made the difficult decision to allow someone else to enjoy this gorgeous long haired STER gelding, as Julia is now away at college. He will be sold to an approved home only---we love this horse.

Stormy is registered as Ronald van de Zuiderwaard, and he was a winner from the beginning AND he was bred to be a champion. Stormy's full sister is the dam to the newly approved stallion, Loadewyck 431!!! As a mere 3 yr old, Stormy was also selected to be a provisionally Approved stallion and he completed the 70 Day test. Unfortuantely the Judges decided he was a bit too "feminine" , and he was later castrated, and he embarked on a successful sjees driving career in Holland.

We imported this tall, gorgeous STER gelding, and began immediately cleaning up with him in Open English Pleasure classes against all other breeds, including Saddlebreds. Stormy is a REAL show horse, NEVER an ear back, head always straight up, he is interested in everything, and loves to show. And talk about versatile, Stormy TAUGHT Blu how to drive, and together they amassed so many blues in Open Pleasure Driving, and Friesian Pleasure Driving, as well as Carriage classes, we lost count. Stormy is the kind of horse you can take ANYWHERE, and he always goes with us on family trail rides. We also think Stormy would be an outstanding western pleasure horse, because he has an amazing slow canter. This boy now has a mane almost to his knees, a tail that drags the ground a foot behind him, and he has never had ANY health or soundness issues.

This is a rare oportunity to own one of the best in the country, and it is okay if you would just like to pleasure ride and drive Stormy, a show home is NOT a requirement for this pretty boy, but unconditional LOVE is. Stormy loves his peppermints!
Stormy is a son of the no longer living approved stallion, Jurjen. Here is what the FPS has to say about Stormy's daddy: "Jurjen is one of the best stallions of the Friesian studbook. His offspring are said to be of excellent quality. Especially the great gaits and strong top line that his offspring are blessed with, are much appraised. Jurjen combines a strong conformation with powerful, expressive gaits. He shows off all famous Friesian characteristics and is a true leader of the Friesian breed.
Not only do his conformation and gaits impress when he is shown in-hand, he also has won many competitive shows. His great disposition, added to his gaits, helped him win the 1993 World Championship Show driving for stallions. Jurjen is a wonderful stallion, and his offspring clearly inherit his quality. Jurjen is one of the very few stallions that has been said to have a VERY positive influence on Friesian breeding."
Here are some excerpts from Julia's show diary regarding her experiences with this unique horse:

2008:
Santa Barbara
Ron and his driving partner, Stormy, looked stellar with his new Buckeye carriage, and they won the Open Pleasure Driving.

Del Mar:
Stormy Seas and Ron:

* Reserve Open Pleasure Driving Champion
* Open Pleasure Driving Grand Champion

Monterey:
Stormbucket, strong, swift and simple, was crowned Open English Pleasure Champion and Grand Champion, with grace and ease. Stormy is at the point where he just knows. He knows the aids, the gaits, how to cut and make a pass. He picks up his gaits effortlessly and makes it look like he is a pleasure to ride, because he IS a pleasure to ride! Atop his back, I can't help but smile. Stormy beat some trainers, and some pretty saddlebreds—I was very proud of my boy.

2007 IFSHA Grand Nationals in St Louis:
Stormy [Ronald]:

* Defended his National Champion Show Pleasure Driving Amateur title, with Blu
* Defended his Ride and Drive National Championship title, with Julia
* Crowned WORLD CHAMPION Country or Saddleseat Pleasure Junior Exhibitor, in Julia’s last year competing as a junior exhibitor
* Reserve National Champion Pleasure Driving Turnout Single with Blu and Janna

2006 IFSHA Grand Nationals in Las Vegas:

Stormy and Bruce and Stacey Griffin took a Reserve Grand National Championship in the Open Gelding In-Hand Class. Then, Blu and I went in for the Amateur In Hand Gelding class to run Stormy around by ourselves. The class consisted of running the horse around the ring once, I ran along side the horse, and Blu behind the horse with a whip, then we stood along the far side of the rail. Each horse entered, one at a time, and once all the horses were in, the judge called them up one by one, examined their conformation, and sent them around the ring again at the trot. Finally the awards were called. The top five were called, and as the announcer said, “and then there were two.” Reserve Champion was called, and we were still in the ring. That meant, WE WON!!!!! Stormy won the Amateur Gelding In Hand Class!!

The talk of the show, and the star for the morning was without a doubt Blu and Stormy, who competed in the National Champion Friesian Show Pleasure Driving Amateur. Nine entries were to be expected in the class. I polished that freakin’ harness for so long and it shined beautifully on Stormy. Blu warmed up and readied Stormy for the challenge ahead. This class was open to all types of carts, and lets just say Blu was the only driver with a light cart and harness, meaning, he competes with the only cart to cost less than 10 thousand dollars!! He wanted to stand out; he wanted to show. He concentrated and conquered each gait with such ease. When the line up was called, Janna and I turned to each other and agreed on Reserve. We both thought Blu had an excellent drive, but we were not too hopeful because he had MAJOR competition. For most of the class, Stormy and Blu were in front of a lovely pair of Friesians driven by our friend’s from Holland. Their turn-out was exceptional. Blu and Storm bucket stood in the line up until the words again slipped from the announcer’s mouth, “and then there were two.” He did it!! He made it into the top two. We were psyched!! But what was to come was even more astounding. The reserve number was called, and it was not Stormy’s number. That meant, he won!!! The smile that spread over Blu’s face was unforgettable, he won a National Championship, solely on his own—and not only that, but he had some major competition. Stormy made a victory pass and the photographer captured a stunning victory pass picture with our Storm bucket wearing the roses.

Stormy and I won the Friesian National Champion Equitation class. We were the only saddleseat rider/horse combination and we came out on top. I rode Stormy a little slower and more conservative and it made a great picture. I was so proud of Stormy, three National Championship titles!! I had initially signed up for the Amateur Country Pleasure class, but decided to switch into the Ride and Drive class. This is a very unique class because you first drive the horse in the cart and have the saddle and bridle in the cart, then you switch tack in the middle of the ring, and ride. We had never competed in such a class before. First we entered at the trot and then stepped up to a working trot. Stormy was behaving himself and we were called into line up. Headers were asked to come in and help un-tack. I was working off adrenaline and Blu and I had Stormy completely un-tacked and were about to put on the bridle and saddle when the announcer said, please re-harness your horses…WHAT?? Re-tack? But we just took it all off! We were supposed to reverse and go the second direction and since we had not, we had to re-tack and drive second way. So we finally got the harness back on and I got into the cart and went the second direction. We came back into the center ring and tacked the horses up in their respective riding equipment---some saddleseat, some going dressage, some horses being ridden huntseat. I had a very nice ride both directions at the walk, trot, and canter. We lined up, were asked to back our horses again, and then….the placings are called. There were seven in the class and the finalists were excused. The top five remained in the ring. Then three were left, and as the announcer said, “and then there were two.” Bruce Griffin and I. I walked Stormy over and we stood together as we waited for the final results. The reserve goes to….not my number. Stormy and I won! I shook Bruce’s hand and waited at center ring for my horse’s name to be called as National Grand Champion Ride and Drive. It was so great…. Words do not express the emotions I felt after that class, AND I was the only Junior Exhibitor.

2009 Show Season Started of with a BANG whereby Ron and Stormy won back to back blue ribbons in the Friesian Pleasure Driving division at the Monterey Springfest Horse Show!!

Motherline STER-STER+PREF-MODEL+PREF-MODEL+PREF
B-day 5/6/97
Registered as Ronald van de Zuiderwaard, shown as Stormy Seas
Stormy has a 2009 Current Membership With IFSHA

see blacksterlingfriesians.com for videoclips

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Price Recently REDUCED!!!!!