From pony to Paralympic dream:
the journey of Demi Haerkens
Para dressage: Demi's introduction to para sport
She traded her B-pony for a D-pony and began her journey to the top. Demi won multiple district championship titles and impressed time and again at the Brabant Championships.
While she was riding regular ZZL, Demi heard more and more about para sport. At first she didn't want to know anything about it because she thought it would put a stamp on her disability. But she soon realized that para dressage is a top sport and could be a challenging opportunity for her. At the age of 19, when she got her horse, her adventure in para sport took serious shape. She made her competition debut and during her first international competition she immediately scored a hat trick. This marked the beginning of her successful career in para sport, which brings her ever closer to her dream: participating in the Paralympic Games.
“For me, giving up has never been an option. It is always trial and error, learning and continuing. My whole life is about the love for my horse and the passion for my sport.”
“My big dream is to participate in the Paralympic Games. And when I have something in mind, I do everything I can to make it happen.”
The Beginning: Demi's First Steps in Equestrian Sports
Demi Haerkens' passion for equestrian sports started at a young age. At the age of five, she received her first pony from her grandfather. It was love at first sight. Not only did she enjoy the fun she had while riding, but it also had a positive impact on her disability. Thanks to her perseverance and determination to ride, despite her muscle-nerve disease HMSN, she soon discovered that horse riding had a beneficial effect on her strength, balance, coordination and motor skills. Since then, Demi's love for equestrian sports has not only helped her overcome her physical challenges, but has also led her on the path of professional para dressage.
The impact of HMSN disease on Demi's life
At a young age, Demi was diagnosed with the muscle-nerve disease HMSN, a hereditary disease that she inherited from her mother and grandmother. The disease causes muscles to become increasingly weak, which can eventually lead to paralysis. As a result, Demi has much less strength in her body than others, especially in her arms and legs. She tires quickly and often suffers from muscle pain. Despite these challenges, Demi has never given up. She has turned her illness into something positive and uses horse riding as a means to improve her physical condition. She is convinced that with a good dose of perseverance you can achieve anything, as long as you enjoy it and continue to believe in yourself.
