Grand Opening for Jansal Saddlebreds
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Jansal Saddlebreds hosted a grand opening of its new facility on Saturday, October 6. The 55-acre farm is on Cana Road in Farmington, North Carolina, conveniently located between Winston-Salem and Mocksville in the heart of scenic, rolling horse country. The facility boasts a modern barn with 14 stalls, tack rooms, lounge/kitchen, laundry, full bath, double-size wash stall, and indoor arena. An outdoor arena and several cross-fenced pastures complete the efficient layout. The property was purchased in November 2006, and plans are already underway to add a new barn with 20 stalls and room for 20 more.
Janelle D’Amato (ctr) describes some of the
barn’s additions to Nicki Leon and Alice Shiflet.
Who is Jansal Saddlebreds? “Jan” is Janelle D’Amato, an amateur/owner/trainer who has shown successfully in the Carolinas for several years. “Sal” is her grandfather, Sal D’Amato, a co-owner of the farm. Other family members include Janelle’s grandmother Fran and mother Kathy Melious. Sal and Fran live in a beautiful home high on a hill overlooking the farm.
Kathy Melious (ctr)
with her parents, Fran and Sal D’Amato
Janelle and her mother arrived in North Carolina eight years ago when Melious’s husband’s job brought the family to the Winston-Salem area. Janelle was a sophomore in high school – a difficult time to move and leave friends behind. Melious says that she “bribed” her daughter with a horse… and the rest is history.
The “new” Jansal Saddlebreds is offering training, lessons, breeding and sales. The centerpiece of the breeding program is 17.2 hand five-gaited stallion Sir Attitude, with impeccable bloodlines, being by (SA) Arborlane Tangos Wee Pee and out of WC Artistic Impression. Melious manages Jansal Saddlebreds and heads the lesson program. Robert (Bobby) K. Jones is the trainer. Having previously trained and shown world champion racking horse, Jones is a fairly recent, but devoted, convert to Saddlebreds, Hackneys, and roadsters.
Steve Gassen (ctr), visits with
Bobby Jones and Janelle D’Amato
Despite an unavoidable conflict with a horse show in Virginia, many central Carolina horsemen showed up to tour the farm and sample the wonderful hospitality during the grand opening. True to their heritage, the D’Amato family pulled out all stops with a lavish Italian buffet supper.
Jansal Saddlebreds hosted a sumptuous
Italian buffet during their grand opening.
With their love of the Saddlebred and attention to detail, look for exciting news in the future from Jansal Saddlebreds!
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