With Deepest Sympathies....

Anita Mellot,  of  Black Horse Valley Ranch, Mountain Center California, owner and  breeder of many fine Friesians and owner of "Lukas", died  September 7, 2008 in a motorcycle accident in Roseville California. She was the original breeder of my Diana C.   Her husband John was also critically injured and remains hospitalized.
 
John and Anita were instrumental in reintroducing the Friesian horse to the United States with their first group of three horses in 1982.  With their stallions, Sander and Lukas, they have helped shape the future of the Friesian horse here.  They were avid competitors and exhibitors, and consummate advocates for the Friesian, always willing to man the breed booth at an Expo or Equine Affaire.
 
Anita, whose heritage is from the Netherlands, was the President of the North American Stallion Owners, and John is a past President of FHANA.  Both have been active in all aspects of promoting the Friesian horse in America.  Their ranch, Black Horse Valley Ranch in Mountain Center CA was recently the site of a gathering for the return of Lukas from the Netherlands.   We ask that you continue to keep a good thought for John's recovery.
 
Anita,  with her outgoing, welcoming personality and her undeniable love of the Friesian horse will be sorely missed by people who love Friesians.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. Having just visited them in Mountain Center I find this particularly sad.

- Rosemary Elden

UPDATE- March 7, 2011

Tonight I lost a star, my king in the making was stolen from me. Taken by death forever, never more to feel that soft muzzle on my cheeck, or wrap my arms around his strong neck. I had big plans for him, he was going to be evaluated at the April clinic put on by the Arizona Friesian Association, hosting the spectacular Bruce & Stacy Griffin. Then it was to be a busy summer with getting him ready for the keuring, clipping him down, having his shoes custom fitted by farrier John Charlebois, with Bill Calderon as head trainer, he WAS going to get the star. He was magnificent, he was tall, he had presence, and that gorgeous mane and tail would have been glorious to watch. Watching him explode into the trot, giving it his all, that's my BOY......out there! His sire, Wander, and his mom Bieske, would have been very proud of him, now he joins his mother forever. Have fun with your ball my BOY, you can play with it eternally. I LOVED YOU.

............ANSELL....A KING IN THE MAKING............

GENTLY HE LAID HIS HEAD ON THE SAND PILLOW

FOR THE LAST TIME HE GAZED AT THE STARS,

THEN HE MADE A SOUND OF BLISSFUL BREATH

HE CLOSED HIS BRILLIANT EYES,

AND HIS GLORIOUS SPIRIT SOARED FREE OF SKIN,

TO GALLOP TO ETERNAL FREEDOM.