References/Testimonials

We would like to thank everyone for all the kind words. We are honored and humbled to have the opportunity to touch people's lives in a positive way.

"...I must say, after personally seeing thousands of warmblood horses handled by hundreds of people over the last three decades, I believe that Bruce Griffin from Gretna, VA, is today the best horse handler in the world. He is gifted and has a magical touch with a horse. To me, he is simply poetry with a horse in hand and that is why he was invited to Europe to handle stallions for the huge “Hengstenkeurings” in Holland, the first American to be invited to do so. He personally met Holland’s Queen Beatrix on his first trip and received a token from her....

...What most people might miss in the handling process is the role of Bruce’s wife and assistant, Staci. An accomplished horsewoman and rider since age two, this young lady is also a master in her role..."

2010 - The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF) invited Bruce Griffin to be a special guest speaker on their "Power Star Panel" at their Youth Convention on January 16, 2010. This convention was held during the USEF Annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. The USEF Youth Council invited Bruce Griffin to represent Friesians and showing horses in hand. The Star Power Panel consists of high profile equestrian athletes representing breeds/disciplines who share their backgrounds, experiences and offer insight to the attendees on what has made them so successful. Congratulations on this outstanding honor Bruce!

Staci and Bruce, I would like to thank you for the wonderful work you have done with Koop. In five short months you have turned Koop into such an athlete that he won several world and national chamionships at the IFSHA World and National Champion Horse Show Oct/Nov 2009 in Missouri. I am very proud of Koop and his accomplishments,
Thank you so much,
Bonnie Hall

The only stallion in the USA in 2008 to be recommended for the FPZV Stallion Performance Testing!

IFSHA World Champion Friesian Stallion 2008 - FPZV Star Stallion - Four time IFSHA Grand National Champion - Two time IFSHA Reserve National Champion - FPZV Star Stallion

Bruce and Staci are the example to which we, horse owners and trainers alike, should all aspire. Their expertise with all breeds and riding disciplines, as well as with driving and in-hand work, is evinced by their consistent success in the show arena. We feel very fortunate to have this wonderful pair training and caring for our horses. Their combined talent has been pivotal in our Friesian stallion excelling in competitions and out on the trails. We owe his success completely to Bruce and Staci. Our sincere thanks to you for the fantastic job you’ve done with Leopold. ~Susan Hooper and Carrie Blair ~ Owners of Leendert Leopold

I hope you all made it home okay! We did. Just wanted to thank you again for a great show! We are still on cloud nine! And again, we are VERY pleased with Tiana's progress and very pleased with you two as her trainers! Looking forward to seeing you all in another mo. I'm thinking she'll have more control of those fancy feet of hers. Wow! she IS a power house. Thanks again!

Thank you for everything you did for us! I truly believe we would not be where we are today without Bruce, Staci and Griffin Sporthorses. Not only is your knowledge and talent incomparable, so is your honesty and integrity. We'll keep you posted on Siris' progress!
Thanks again,
Zenda

Featured Article : A Cinderella story

A'Osiris - Owners Ray Bernier and Zenda Farrell

Just wanted to let you know about the call we got yesterday. Our Holly, (aka Granite's Rhapsody, RID) is the IDHSNA Level 2 (2 yr and up) In Hand Champion for 2008! The award is based on total 2008 in hand points. We are quite excited (Rob and I that is, Holly is more excited by warm beet pulp and hay!)

Dear Staci and Bruce, I am writing to wish you a happy new year and to let you know that the two mares you handled for us did extremely well in the year-end awards. Stedinger's Lady was the National Champion for the 3y.o GOV division and third of all 3y.o. fillies for the USDF DSHB standings. What Fun WMF was in the top 20 for Mature Maiden mares and Hanoverian mares.

Thank you for all of your help this year! I have attached a picture of Bruce and "Gordita" (Stedinger's Lady) from Devon which I think is just gorgeous.

Excellent handling skills--you guys are amazing. Good luck in 2009, and thank you for everything.

Thank you and Bruce so much for visiting our school. Our students were very impressed with Bruce and his amazing horses. They want to keep in touch with him throughout the year and learn more about his business and his animals.

We really appreciate your time, and we look forward to keeping in touch with you.

Thank you so much,
Kathryn Baca

I would like to thank Bruce and Staci Griffin for their outstanding care, training, and showing of my horses. We had great success in 2007 with both High Fashion and Saracchi and we could not be more pleased.
I sent them two super green and talented youngsters and was returned two successful super talents with outstanding show records!

A few years ago I approached the well known and respected horse trainer Bob Orton to ask if he would be able to present my then 2 year old colt. He said no, but handed me a business card of a professional whom he described ' as good as I am '.
I was impressed by this recommendation and contacted the individual - Bruce Griffin. Filled with plenty of energy and a clear vision of how to train and present horses at their best, Bruce and his wife Staci exemplify top professionalism in our sport.

Bruce presented my colt Raison de Joie in-hand under a variety of international judges at Dressage at Devon - each time either becoming Champion ( incl. Young Horse Champion) or placing second. Bruce was instrumental in Raison de Joie's biggest success to-date - 2006 United States Dressage Federation's Three Year old Horse of the Year.

I have recommended Bruce to a number of my clients - each time he was able to present their horses far beyond their owners expectations - and he will be the only professional handler I personally will use and continue to recommend.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Elly Schobel
at ellyshomestedt@aol.com

"We have been so fortunate to have had Bruce and Staci Griffin of Griffin Sport Horses handle our two champion Friesians stallions, Wyn de Pluum and Eeltsje F in competition. The combination of our magnificent stallions and the intuitive knowledge Bruce and Staci seem to have when handling them in the ring has led us to our IFSHA World Championships and our Championship at Devon. They are professional, honest and so very hard working for their clients, you couldn't ask for more...And boy, do they know their stuff in the ring! We look forward to a continued long and strong relationship with Griffin Sport Horses!"

Greengate Farm, established 1989, breeds Warmblood Sporthorses in New England . We organize and atttend registry inspections and show horses in hand on both the USDF DSHB and USEF hunter circuits. Greengate has won both USDF and USEF Breeder titles.

It has been our pleasure to work with Bruce Griffin at a variety of venues showing our horses in hand, including the NEDA USDF-DSHB finals and Dressage at Devon. Bruce Griffin is an honest, talented, and sincere handler of horses, as well as a great horseman in general. We have always been able to count on Bruce's peformance with our horses in the show ring.

Thank you Bruce, for a job well done!! We look forward to working with you towards more championships in the future.
Rachel Ehrlich, owner
Greengate Farms LLC
www.greengateSTUD.com
greengateSTUD@aol.com
Stallions at Stud & Fine Sporthorses for sale.

Bruce and Staci Griffin have done a wonderful job handling my horses over the years. Their professionalism and love of horses shine through in everything that they do. They did an exceptional job handling my stallion Manu Forti's Sea Hawk (Winston) at the 2007 Irish Draught Horse Society of North America stallion inspections which culminated in Winston passing with flying colors. I could not be more appreciative of their hard work and dedication. Getting to watch Bruce and Staci handle my horse and many others at our national Irish Draught show was truly inspiring.
Jennifer Dunlap

Reply from GSH ~ We would like to thank Jennifer Dunlap, DVM and her wonderfully supportive family for the opportunity to handle "Winston." Congratulations on your success! You all deserve it!

Bruce worked with our guy, "Red" for 2 shows in 2006. Despite our lack of knowledge of DSHB (we do Hunter Breeding), Bruce gave us every consideration, and was readily available to work with us. As a 5'4" owner of a 15.2+ Art Deco 2 yr old, I was struggling to maintain the upper hand. Bruce showed me how to turn things around; in less than 10 weeks, I was able to show "Red" in Amatuer-Handler at DAD and place (5th) in good competition with a competitive score. Bruce followed that up with an outstanding run for Red's IBC class, where Red finished 2nd. Bruce had to run to catch his plane before the class ended, but I now had the confidence and control to take Red out under the lights to receive our ribbon - What a fantastic experience for us, courtesy Griffin Sporthorses!

Bruce and Staci brought out the best in my (then) yearling Riley. Not only did he "shine" on the triangle, but judges commented on his nice expression and manners. I attribute this to tactful and sensitive handling. Thanks guys!