18 NewsTrader


Pier Van Der Hoek and his wife, Darlene


Keeping Horsepeople informed Pier Van Der Hoek, founding FHANA member, passes away at 78


was invited by a family friend to attend a Friesian horse show in Rijs. The breed’s grace, beauty and speed that day impacted his life, later say- ing, “I had driven work horses on the farm, but the Friesians were some- thing special!” In California during the 1970s,


R J


IVERDALE — Pier Van Der Hoek, one of the found- ers of the Friesian Horse


Association of North America and an early recipient of the FHANA Hall of Fame award, passed away March 31 on his farm, surrounded by family. He was 78. As a young boy growing up in Friesland in the Netherlands, Pier


fellow Friesland native Frank Leyendekker imported the first Friesian, and Pier was there to help with beginning training along with Clay Maier. He realized then that he wanted to own Friesian horses some- day, and he went along with Frank and Clay to the first FHANA organi- zational meetings. Finally, in 1984, Pier imported


my first Friesian mare, Nynke, and bought a couple of carts for training and driving. From Nynke’s offspring, and later from his Ster foundation


Judge orders investigation of 40-acre S.D. Co. rescue facility


ULIAN — Hundreds of animals, including as many as 165 horses, were


being evaluated, treated and moved from a 40-acre animal sanctuary after an investigation that commenced in early April, according to the San Diego Humane Society. The multi-day operation began


May 1 at Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, Inc., the same day a San Diego Superior Court judge transferred ownership of the ani- mals to the San Diego Humane Society. Human Society officials said it was expected to continue for several additional days. “While some animals appear


healthy and stable, many were found suffering without ade- quate care and husbandry,” the Humane Society said in a state- ment the day after the operation began. The size of the property com-


plicates the counting of animals involved. The latest estimates were 165 horses, including sever- al ponies; more than 225 cats and 30 dogs; and dozens of other ani- mals, including donkeys, alpacas, geese, chickens, roosters, goats, ravens and a crow. “At our San Diego campus, we have been working to process new arrivals. An additional 67 cats were transferred today (Saturday), where they received comprehensive intake exams, including medical assessments and necessary treatments,” said the SDHS statement. “Four turkeys were taken to our Escondido Campus as well. “The investigation is active


and ongoing. Due to the size of the property and the variety of species involved, we expect the removal and evaluation phase to continue for several more days. Our absolute priority remains


mare, Vivian, he gradually built up my Friesian herd. “I had fun training and driving


the horses,” he said in an interview after his 2009 induction into the FHANA Hall Of Fame. “I also find it very satisfying to study the scoring of my mares and match them with stal- lions that will possibly improve their weakest characteristics. Then, to see the results as the foal is born and develops is very rewarding to me. “I always strive to improve the


breed,” he said. Pier served on the FHANA board


three years, during a time of great changes in FHANA. His main goal was to get the 70-Day Stallion Testing performed in North America so that stallion prospects would not have to be shipped to The Netherlands to have a chance of full approval.


On the day of Peri’s passing, the


first Friesian foal of the year was born on the farm 15 minutes after Pier’s passing, a colt named Garrett Pier.


Pier leaves behind his beloved


wife of 50 years, Darlene, and he is also survived by his children Hans (Michelle), Henry (Ashley), Julia (Brad) VanderEnde, and Janelle (Aaron Hughes); his grandchildren Alyssa, Chloe, Pierce, Emily, Logan, Titus, Henry, Ethan, Annalise, Mikaela, and Garrett; and his five siblings, Minne, Roel, Hans, Otte, and Janny Bijlsma. In lieu of flowers, the family


welcomes memorial donations to Immanuel or Kerman Christian Schools in honor of Pier van der Hoek, as he was a supporter of Christian education.


the health and safety of every animal on the property,” the statement said. In a published report, Heidi Redman, a spokesperson for Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, defended the work of res- cue founder Monika Kerber. “There is no neglect, no abuse


of any of these animals — they were well taken care of,” Redman said. “There is definitely another side to this story and it should be told. They’re (Kerber and her partner, Mercedes Flores) dev-


Have a news item for us? Please e-mail them to: news@horsetrader.com


astated. These animals were like their children.” They (investigators) even took


their house dogs, their personal dogs.”


The Humane Society is asking


the public to support their effort by adopting and donating to its rescue fund to “help cover the immense cost of specialized care, transport and food for these ani- mals.”


Donations and updated infor-


mation is available at sdhumane. org/julianrescue.


Courtesy photo


Courtesy photo


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