Lisanne and Andre Vanderkooi celebrate Friesian heritage through Ringsteken competition

A 4 in-hand performance was a highlight at the Friesian Horse Show near Norwich. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

Ringsteken enthusiasts’ ability to make the right swipe pays tribute to a centuries-old Friesian version of swiping right.

And it may be the one time when men are fully directing traffic in terms of picking out a ring.

“You’ve got that right,” laughed Springford-area Ringsteken competitor Lisanne Vanderkooi.

Participants and spectators alike stepped back into 1800-era Friesland at the July 18 Friesian Horse Show (FHS) hosted at Jisk and Klaske Schuurmans’ dairy farm, north-east of Norwich. The biennial event celebrates a breed originating in the northern Netherlands province, celebrated both for qualities as an agricultural workhorse and its genial temperament. In danger of disappearing with the advent of modern machinery, Friesian horses have enjoyed a revival through those jointly celebrating heritage of the animal and area they sprang from.

That passion emigrated across the Atlantic to this area, largely with those of Friesian origin, including Lisanne’s husband Andre Vanderkooi. Together, they operate a farm north of Springford.

“Dairy and equine,” he explained, adding with a laugh, “and it seems like equine is taking over slowly but surely.”

Andre emigrated in 1999, meeting Lisanne here, both having grown up on Dutch dairy farms. He was from Friesland, Lisanne the middle of the country.

“But it rubbed off on her, put it that way.”

They have ‘around 18’ Friesian horses and are part of a four-couple organizing committee for the FHS. It featured a variety of exhibitions highlighting the breed including racing around cones, a Sjezen (traditional two-wheeled carriage) presentation, 4 in-hand performance, guest appearance from a six-member female Friesian heritage drill team based in Ohio, and a Ringsteken challenge.

In very basic terms, two-member teams, a male horse and carriage driver and female armed with a small wooden ‘pistol’ (resembling a corn cob pipe with an extended bowl in shape) pass down a course with four rings mounted on the hands of large wooden figures. Points are awarded for each ring the woman spears cleanly with her ‘pistol’, one point per ring in the first round, two per in the second, three in the third and four in the fourth, with a potential perfect score of 40.

The sport grew from an 18th-century tradition based around males and females looking to connect in unique ways, an early incarnation of swiping left or right.

“And they would do games like this,” said Andre.

Many competitors dress in era-appropriate garb, Lisanne in a long dress offset by lace apron and vest, and multi-layered headgear featuring a hair net, black cap, white cap and ornamental metallic headgear which translates from Dutch as ‘head iron.’

“The original was gold,” said Andre. “Now it’s just gold plate or copper.”

Men dress equally formally, Andre resplendent in dark breeches, white shirt, vest and top hat. Despite the fact a Sjezen’s suspension system is essentially two leather straps, leading to a ride akin to riding waves on an undulating sea, it’s their carriage of competitive choice. They own three Sjezens, one restored original and two replicas.

“It gives me goose bumps driving one of those,” says Andre.

Horses must proceed at a trot, not walk or canter, with drivers striving to judge the optimal distance for their partners to be able to spear the rings most easily.

“Lisanne usually says, “A little bit closer, a little further away,” says Andre.

In Holland, with Andre growing up in the late 1980s and 90s, Ringsteken was a staple event, held on communities’ main streets.

“They put up four hands and blocked it off for two hours.”

Five teams of competitors ran a three-round version at the FHS. The Vanderkoois finished a solid third, if deferring to share their precise point value.

“Not enough,” Andre laughed. “Don’t mention it.”

The original FHS drew around 400 spectators says Andre, growing to 500 two years ago and an estimated 800 in 2026.

“We wish we could do it every year. But it’s just a pile of work so we run it every other.”

And in the end, even the Ringsteken competition is not about who wins or loses.

“It’s always just for fun,” said Lisanne, along with celebrating all things Friesian. “We love to show people what that heritage is.”

Friesian Horse Show 2026 Ringsteken Results

Jisk Schuurmans and Karin van Wely, 1st; Bouke Feenstra and ladyfriend/Klaas Steenbeek and Douwina Reitsma, tied for 2nd; Andre and Lisanne Vanderkooi, 4th; Nico Vanden Akker and his granddaughter Anna, 5th.