In the Friesian breed, there are few horses that can boast as impressive a track record as Sjoerd. At just six years old, the stallion had amassed 38 Lifetime World/Grand Champion National Champion titles.

Xena Vimercati’s stallion won and won and won. He transcended divisions, riders and classes. Anyone lining up against the striking jet black Friesian knew that to try to beat him they better bring their A game. He was honored for his conformation and presence in the ring and with his panache and personality he garnered fans everywhere he went.

It came as no surprise that Sjoerd was named the United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year for 2011 and the only one of his breed to have twice been named the USEF Friesian Horse of the Year.

It also has come as no surprise that this brilliant horse continues to have a brilliant career. Sjoerd is the most highly decorated Friesian in the history the International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) with more career points than any other Friesian!

He has been a Champion in every division with amateur and junior riders demonstrating his versatility and trust. He won across the country, picking up championships in California, Colorado, Ohio and Virginia. He won with multiple riders across divisions at the same show, exemplifying his ability to adapt to different styles of riding in the different classes he contested. He won Equitation, Dressage, Driving, Liberty, Walk/Trot, English Pleasure, Trail, Hunt Seat Pleasure, Saddle Seat, Western Pleasure, Costume, Junior and Amateur Classes.

At the end of 2012 Sjoerd was a 60 Time World Grand National Champion with 73 Regional Championships to his credit.

As a sire, he has begun building a dynasty and is proving his mettle. While his first foal crops are only yearlings and weanlings, they are winning top honors in the show arena, demonstrating Sjoerd's strength as a breeding stallion as well. They carry his looks, his talent, and his charisma.

Sjoerd’s story is rooted in the passion and determination of his owner. Virmacati had been studying potential crosses to Arabian mares when she first encountered a video and photos of the imported Sjoerd as a young colt. “I am still stunned by the remarkable journey we had in 2011,” said Vimercati, who purchased Sjoerd in 2007 not for the show ring, but for her Three Day Ranch breeding program. She never imagined the victories that lay ahead.

“When I bought him, I had no intentions of showing him on the Friesian circuit, “Vimercati said. “I wanted to breed him."

After breeding her mares to different Friesian stallions, she knew the traits she was after - not too long in the back, strong hip, with more of an upright headset . When she spotted Sjoerd, she had to have him - even when others weren’t so sure. “I had made a big deal about getting this horse,” she recalls. “So in March he arrives and when we go to unload him from the trailer, everyone looked at me when he stepped off and said, “What did you do? I said, "Just wait - just wait!”

It wasn’t a long wait! “The heart on this stallion is immeasurable and we are blessed to be the ones that he calls his family, “ said Vimercati. “Sjoerd has a look to him, undefinable, indescribable, something you have to witness in person and once you do, you will never forget him or that look he has. He is a once in a lifetime stallion and I am so thankful he is in our lives.”