Owner Lori Calka Brock
Lori is very much a hands-on farm owner, from cutting hay and painting fences to hauling horses to the breeder and attending every foaling. She splits her time on the farm with her real estate company Rivertown Real Estate in Big Rapids, Michigan. She has two daughters, Hailey and Hanna who also share her love of horses.
She started Majestic Friesians 1997 in Leroy, Michigan with mares imported from the Netherlands. Within a few years, it became obvious that a move was necessary to be able to expand the breeding program. She bought property in Green Township and had a house built on top of the hill with a large attached stable and indoor arena with winter pens close by for easy access.
“I have always raised horses, but after our first meeting with a Friesian horse, I sold all of my quarter horses. The Friesian breed totally captured my heart and soul. They are gentle giants that have an incredible need to please their owners. Friesians are wonderful horses that excel in dressage, western, and driving. Because of their non-spooky attitude, they make wonderful companions, children’s show horses and trail horses. Not to mention how beautiful they look running through the pastures. Friesians are the most beautiful, majestic horses I have ever encountered. ” -owner Lori Calka Brock
Lori and David Pierce ran the farm together for several years until David’s tragic passing in 2017 after a long battle with cancer. In 2023, Lori was in for another fight when an electric vehicle battery plant threatened to move across the road from the farm, which would have made it impossible to continue to raise animals on the farm. Lori, Green Township, and the entire state of Michigan fought to stop Gotion from building their plant. The battle is still on-going but many positive strides have been made.
Lori, David, Hanna, Hailey, Abby, Tucker, Emma, Gabe, and Howard circa 2013
Lori is the president of the Northern Michigan Friesian Horse Club, putting on an inspection every year for the Friesian horse owners of Michigan and surrounding states. She believes in making the best life possible for all of the animals on the farm.
Lori Ann Thwing
Lori Ann is our barn manager, photographer, sales, marketing, web master, foal trainer, broodmare midwife, and goose mom. She has handled more than 200 Friesian foals since she started with foals in 2010. She believes in early and often handling of foals, teaching them good ground manners and respect for people. She handles all of the marketing and sales for our horses, making sure each home is a good fit for our horses.
Mali Thwing
Mali is our adult horse trainer. She began training horses at 6 years old when she helped her mom with the foals. Mali has since put her talents to use working with our adult horses and assisting her mom with the foals.
Kyle
Kyle is our “farm hand” but that only begins to describe all of his jobs. He is our maintenance person, carpenter, tractor driver & repair person, small engine repair and farm caretaker.
Ruth Foote
Ruth has been a volunteer at the farm since 2016, she helps wherever she is needed and has a way with the animals. She is always there to lend a hand from grooming the horses to sitting with the newborn foals to help train the foals.
Melissa Ashcraft
Performance Stallion Trainer
Owner and head instructor of Transitions Equestrian Center
Melissa Ashcraft trains all of our performance stallions and is an upper-level dressage instructor/clinician who competes/trains at the Intermediate II level in dressage. She has worked with the best trainers and riders in the business. Melissa spent 5 years riding with the World Famous Lipizzaner Stallion Show
Keuring Dream Team
We could not have successful Keurings without our Keuring Dream Team. They make everything run smoothly and we are so grateful for their hard work.
