The T&T Friesians Story

Ted Vander Kooi describes the love for the Friesian horse as a virus that affects most of the Vander Kooi family. Three of Ted's brothers, two in British Columbia and one in Germany, also share the passion and addiction to the breed. As young kids they often worked and played with the horses, doing various tricks to pass the time and train them. Ted married Tina in 1969 and worked as a manager on a dairy farm until taking over from his parents on the home farm in 1976. Ted and Tina have four children, of which two still reside in the Netherlands, daughter Nynke lives with her family in Gorredijk, son Johan farms with his family in Bornwird, nearby Dokkum. Johan took over the farm with the quota and cows when Ted and Tina made the decision to immigrate to Ontario, Canada in 1999. The Vander Kooi's since then have established two dairy farm operations in Ontario, son Willem Henk and his wife Martine farm near Teviotdale, while son Andre and his wife Lisanne farm near Otterville, where Ted still lends a helping hand when not working with the horses.

The Friesian horses have remained a large part of the Vander Kooi's family life throughout all these changes that life has brought them. In Friesland a number of horses already graced the pastures, from which two full-papered Star mares emigrated with the family to Ontario, Baukje and Meintsje. The remainder stayed on the farm with son Johan. To date all female offspring from Baukje and Meintsje has become Star as well, and has been the basis to an ever-expanding herd of Friesians near Otterville since 1999. With the tremendous teamwork between Ted and Tina, as well as their equally passionate son Andre and wife Lisanne for the breed, the Vander Kooi's have worked to raise some of the best Friesians in North America, all of whom are self trained by the family for riding and driving alike. In the summer the family takes to the roads and trails through wood lots on the farm, while in the winter a sleigh provides the opportunity to enjoy the Friesians. When Ted finds some spare time he enjoys driving the gorgeous Victorian carriage that was built in Paris, France well over a century ago, for weddings and other special occasions. To learn more about the T&T Friesians passion for the breed and its success contact the Vander Kooi's today.