Walkabout Station - Testimonials

"I bought my mare Believe WS as a long 2 year old from Gary and Jan from a video they posted. I was smitten and after talking with Jan on the phone I felt totally comfortable that I’d come to the right place to buy.
Believe WS or “Twiggy” as we dubbed her was tall and gangly and took a bit to grow into her body but she had the best disposition and within a short period of time and training I was showing her and winning.
We've had an amazing partnership and she is now 13. As you see I was an “early adopter” of the Walkabout breeding program, and I have since referred many of my friends to them. One such person, Krista Nobilo, purchased a half-brother to my mare. She has had tremendous success with him and they were USDF Champions at 3rd level freestyle in 2025. Twiggy and I brag on her “little” brother who is nearly 18 hands-- a hand bigger than her.
I love the personality of my Twiggy. She helped me earn my Bronze with Distinction and we continue to learn and grow with each other. I can’t thank Gary and Jan, who have become great friends, for the time and dedication in making such lovely foals for us to enjoy!" Judi DeVore

Testimonials

"We bought our 3 year old, Monaco (McLaren x Lucy Jordan) summer 2025. Jan and Gary were absolutely great. Right from the start we were welcome to visit as many times as we needed to meet the prospects we were considering. All the horses were incredibly friendly and approachable. She uses the best bloodlines with her gorgeous mares. Once we bought Monaco, our vet was traveling and thus working out logistics for the PPE was challenging, but Jan was incredibly flexible and patient! They have been wonderful in coordinating registration papers, hauling etc with Monaco. This was the best purchase experience we have enjoyed so far and Monaco has been incredible!" Lisa

“Working with Walkabout Station on a custom foal has been an incredible experience. Having gone through a similar process with another farm before, I can confidently say the difference here is night and day. Walkabout Station has some of the best mares in the United States, and their quality truly sets them apart. Beyond the horses, it’s the people who make the journey so rewarding—the entire Walkabout Station family is exceptional. They are knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely invested in creating the best possible outcome. I couldn’t be happier with the process and the partnership, and I’m grateful to be part of the Walkabout Station story. Thank you so much Jan and Gary!” Michael (Texas)

“I want to thank Jan and Gary for giving me a dream come true- because that is truly what I was given when I purchased Sorcerer WS from Jan and Gary Marquardt. Several years ago, I came to a decision that I wanted to continue my dressage journey andthat I would need a competitive horse to do that. When I started horse shopping, I knew I was going to start at Walkabout Station because of their breeding knowledge, and the horses that they bred were all from stallions and mares with European bloodlines with competitive performance pedigrees.
The horse ‘shopping’ experience can be very different when buying a young horse; therefore, it is important to deal with a breeder that is honest and keeps the horses’ best interest a top priority. At walk about station, the mares and young stocks’ health and wellbeing is most important, and it is visible to anyone that visits the Walkabout Station property. As a prospective buyer, I was able to see all of the mares, as well as the young horses and see their personalities really shine through. That was how I was able to find Sorcerer WS and it was really a match made in heaven. He had the looks, the personality and the movement. Never did I think I would be able to own a horse of such stellar quality!
While I was interested in looks, I was also interested in quality gaits/movement as well as an amateur-friendly temperament. Sorcerer WS is all of those things. From a 9-month old when I purchased him to the just-under saddle 3-year old, he is proving to be athletic and kind and truly gorgeous. I am looking forward to achieving all that we can as a dressage pair, and I know that Jan and Gary will be there with us to cheer us on. I couldn’t ask for a better experience!” - Katie (TX)

"Jan and Gary have poured their hearts and souls into Walkabout Station. It's not a "job" or a "hobby." It's a passion! Their lives are all about breeding high quality sport horses. Stallions are thoughtfully selected and matched with mares possessing top bloodlines and the results are evident by the conformation and temperaments of the offspring. Every year, they have exceptional youngsters from which to choose. And they themselves, are so easy and comfortable to talk to and work with thus making for a truly stress free buying experience." - Donna and Paul C (Illinois)

After searching for over a year for the perfect replacement for my dressage partner of 33 years, I came across the WalkAbout Station website. A gorgeous black filly, named Believe WS caught my eye and after talking with Jan and Gary over the course of 2 weeks, I bought Believe WS sight- unseen. Normally the thought of buying a horse without seeing them in person would have made me nervous, but I could tell Jan and Gary were just as interested in making sure they found the right homes for their horses. I felt sure they were representing this horse honestly and any misgivings I had about making a purchase this way were dispelled in my conversations with them. When Believe WS arrived, she was everything I’d hoped for and more. Her disposition is unmatched and her looks and movement are everything as advertised. Their breeding program which is centered around some marvelous mares being matched to top stallions is award-winning. Gary and Jan made this process so easy, I can’t say enough about the experience. If you are in the market a for a top sport prospect, start here! ~ Judi D (CO)

Wonderful, easy going experience, from start to finish, working with Jan; from getting information and answers to questions, to visiting, arranging prepurchase exam, to buying, all a breeze. It's a pleasure to work with people who don't try to pressure or con you. They were honest, kind, and welcoming to me. The babies were all comfortable around people, gentle and sweet, which speaks volumes, as to their breeding and handling. They're a breath of fresh air, in the horse business. ~Lindsay (CA)

A friend called us to come visit her weanling that she bought from Walkabout Station. We had been out of riding for a while, but once meeting Jan and Gary we decided to get back into Dressage. We immediately fell in love with the friendly horses and realized the nice quality that they breed. We decided to purchase a special one named Royal Fortune WS. She has been a dream to work with due to the handling that Jan and Gary provided to her in her younger years. Their knowledge and kindness were evident from the first time we met them, and the horses are a testament of it, too. Thanks to our good friends Jan and Gary, our passion for horses and riding came back! ~Lindsay and Chad (TX)

Super, super breeding program with lots of thought given to temperament, movement, and overall ability. Wonderful owners - Jan and Gary take pride in everything they do and the horses are always priority 1. I am so lucky to have found them and my wonderful Sir Walkabout WS. Thanks so much for picking such wonderful stallions and matching them to your wonderful mares! Walkabout Station horses are also the calmest, friendliest horses I've ever met. The foals have a wonderful balance of being handled daily while also learning how to be a horse. Just a first class facility with first class owners. Why wait – go for a visit soon!! ~Emee (TX)