About the Owners...

Annika Bruggeworth (right) and Kim Deola (left), Friesian Season's Proprietors.

As a photo-journalist in the exciting realm of Show-horses, Annika Bruggeworth was employed by The National Horseman show horse magazine from 1995 until 2001. In that role she traveled the eastern region of the country extensively. During her tenure she had the unique opportunity to follow her dreams while drawing a paycheck. She was able to observe and document inner workings of the show horse world. At the time, as one of the most widely recognized representatives, Annika had the opportunity to glean ideas and information for several years regarding what the “ideal” horse operation might entail. Growing up on a farm that specialized in the breeding, sales and showing of fine show horses provided a rare insight for Annika on the benefits as well as the possible pitfalls that could befall a horse endeavor. Those informative years inspired her to launch a career as an insightful photo-journalist and she is still loosely affiliated as a correspondent and photographer with the magazines.

While employed with the aforementioned show horse magazines, Annika honed her skill at photography and her services became sought after by equestrians competing at levels that required advertising and promotion. She was also able to supplement her income with fees from the portraitures and subsequently found her images published in several magazines, simultaneously. In addition to photography, Annika drew on her artistic training derived while a student at The Ray Vogue School of Design in Chicago, Illinois. For a time Annika began a brisk side-business in artistic portraiture of her advertising clients. In her current pursuit of coordinating Friesian Season, she has the unique opportunity to implement her combined knowledge of horses, art, photography and business.

Annika Bruggeworth

During Annika’s tenure as a journalist she found herself drawn to a certain breed of horse aside from the Saddlebreds she had been focused on while working for the magazines. Annika found herself noticing that several influential women in the industry had branched out and acquired charismatic Friesian horses and added them to their show stock. Annika had also taken notice of the breed prior to that and it was not long before she too was the proud owner of her first Friesian, Patrick. She was very successful with this horse and thus the journey began.

Annika Bruggeworth’s partner in Friesian Season is Kimberly Deola. Kim’s contribution to the venture began primarily as the business end of the company, however that changed with the first joint purchase of the reknowned Friesian, Tjebbe. Friesian Season eventually sold Tjebbe to Mr. And Mrs. Edward Frickey of the highly successful Frickey Farms. Tjebbe is currently one of the finest Friesians showing today. Kim found her focus broadening when she was drawn into purchasing a young prospect while on a trip to Holland. Kim and Annika visited the scenic Netherlands on a purchasing mission and imported three exciting prospects from that venture. One of the horses was a weanling selected by Kim, and Friesian Season has since sold Marcel Yoni M. Though Kim retains her position as the executer of Friesian Season, she is now immersed in the hands on end of the venture. Her keen mind for business and organizational skills are key to the success of the partnership. Kim has been instrumental in the sale and marketing of many sales prospects thus far.

During the sale of the horses in question, the team began contemplating the idea of building a show barn to showcase their sale prospects. Eventually after research and experience and frequent travel, the girls settled on a different modus operandi and agreed on a specialized approach for now. At this time their goal is to carefully choose young Friesian prospects with Saddleseat characteristics and place them with the most prestigious Saddlebred trainers in the country. These include Melissa Moore (picture below) of Sunrise Stables in Lexington, Kentucky, who incidently judged the World's Championship Horse Show in 2005. In addition Jan Lukens of Ravena, NY and Lukens Stables has exceled with the Friesian she has been training for Friesian Season. They have found this method to be ideal as they are able to maintain their contacts with both breeds and continue put their confidence in this proven agenda. Subsequently Friesian Season’s stock receives the epitome of Saddleseat training in the ultimate stables in the country and then are put on the market. The new home of Friesian Season and Saddlebreds as well, is slated to open at the Bruggeworth's home in Mays Landing in May of 2008.

Annika Bruggeworth (left), Dr. Scott Bruggeworth (center)
and Melissa Moore at the World Championships in 2004.

Friesian Season derives great pleasure from each Friesian candidate as they progress through training until their eventual sale and then they continue to follow their careers closely. In addition prior to the sale, Annika has enjoyed the opportunity to show a number of the horses personally. Many of the sale horses have gone on to stellar performances and notable show records. Their owners are absolutely thrilled with the horses that they have purchased from Friesian Season. In most cases these customers return to Friesian Season to inquire about future stock.