About Us

Peter Hess and Barbara Hermann-Hess, Owners

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We adopted our first Friesians in 2001 because of our increasing love and admiration of this

magical breed that began with the release of Ladyhawke and never ended.  Finally in 2001 we had the

acreage and the facilities for me to finally ''get a horse".  I'd waited over forty years by then so naturally

I was gonna be choosey.  Of course there was only one type of horse that appealed to me and it was

Friesian.  I imported a yearling colt from Holland, shipped him here and promised him a lifelong home. 

Luckily, my brother Dan was interested in coming to North Carolina to work with us to provide his

professional experience and expertise as trainer, breeder and farm manager.  His hard work and advice has been invaluable to us and our operation. 

Later in 2001 we imported three star mares and four incredible fillies.  We also brought in a weanling colt to raise and train for Peter's personal horse.    In these past years we have been working with all these young horses and happily with what we feel is their great success.   We are very pleased and proud of what

they have accomplished.

ABOUT OUR FARM

Dan Hermann, Trainer / Owner

Dan Hermann has been involved with horses for almost thirty-five years. His twenty-five years of professional experience includes the disciplines

of saddle seat, hunt seat, stock seat and driving.  Dan holds a MS degree

in Equine Science from Murray State University and has instructed students from novice to open level both for equitation and performance classes both in the private sector and university level.

Dan has been employed with numerous top show barns as well as production breeding operations and has operated his own facility in

Kentucky.  Luckily for us, he is now managing the growth and daily operations of Forest Gate Farm.


Other members of our family include Haley Hermann (asst. trainer) on Aristo.     

                                                                  Bijoux

Members of good standing with