With a gold and silver medal for the KWPN horses EHL Daula N.O.P. and Demantur RS2 N.O.P., and another silver medal for the KWPN horse Highlander Delight’s, it was a successful day for the Dutch-bred horses.

Paralympic debutant Demi Haerkens made a strong impression today in the beautiful stadium of Versailles. With her horse Daula (Gribaldi out of Kladaula keur pref prest by Michelangelo, breeders J.M. van Uytert from Heerewaarden and A. Barneveld from Zeist), the TeamNL rider won a gold medal with a score of 78.722%. Veteran Sanne Voets took silver at her fourth Paralympic Games with Demantur (Vivaldi out of Kaylee keur prest sport-dres by Elcaro, breeder A.M. Reuzenaar from Schaijk) with a score of 76.528%.

"Always Striving for the Best"
“I was a bit emotional after the test; I had hoped to achieve such a score. It went so smoothly; Daula was so light in the hand and danced with so much rhythm and quality. It was exactly as I had prepared in my mind beforehand. And it worked out! It's so great to show what you’re worth and what your horse is worth; she deserves this podium. Daula is a one-in-a-million horse; she would really go through fire for me. When we enter the ring, she gives it even more. I can really count on her in the test, and that is truly amazing. With all those people in the stands, it was incredible to ride there and perform like that. It's very different from a European Championship or a World Championship. I'm super happy with my score; we always aim for the best possible result."

Proud of the Journey
Sanne Voets was also very pleased with her performance with the experienced Vivaldi son Demantur RS2 N.O.P. “I’m glad we got started and with how it went. It is always nerve-wracking as the competition gets closer, especially when you have something to defend. It is incredible to enter the stadium here with so many spectators, so many people in orange, and friends and family in the stands. It was quite emotional, and it was also an adjustment for my horse. Over the past three years since Tokyo, every decision we have made has been focused on Demantur. We worked towards Paris to win gold, but not at all costs. Above gold is always my horse's welfare. I hope the best ride wins; I’ve done everything I could. I’m proud of my team and my horse, with whom I’m now riding my third Games; he is still in top shape, perhaps even fitter than ever. The journey here is what I’m most proud of." Haerkens and Voets have also qualified for the Freestyle, which will be held on Saturday, September 7.

Silver for Highlander Delight’s
In addition to these two Dutch medals in Grade IV, there was also a silver medal in Grade V. The German Regine Mispelkamp rode her Highlander Delight’s (Florencio out of Pijalda MW prest by Jazz, breeder P.G. van Berkel from Holten) to a score of 73.231% and a beautiful silver medal.

Overview Page Paralympic Games 

Source: KNHS, edited by KWPN
JM for KWPN
Photo of Daula II: Hippo Foto Media