Thomas Haller

Started: He took up equestrian in 1997 at age 32. (Athlete, 13 Dec 2011) Reason: He was advised to take up the sport as a form of therapy, even though he had a fear of large animals. "The first horse I rode was a Haflinger, which is not that big. I wasn't afraid because I was strapped in with a belt and could hold on to two handles." (oepc.at, 01 Aug 2012; Athlete, 13 Dec 2011) Ambition: To finish in the top 10 at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Athlete, 26 Aug 2024) Additional Info: BREAK AND RETURN He decided to take a break from competitive sport due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023 he returned to competition with a view to competing at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. "In 2019 my show horse Haller's Faustus suffered a tendon injury, which unfortunately made it impossible for me to compete again after the middle of the year. Then, at the beginning of 2020, the global pandemic began, which then made it impossible for me to concentrate on the sport. So I decided to devote my full attention and energy to my company and employees. I voluntarily skipped Tokyo 2020 because of the pandemic. I have ridden in five editions of the Paralympic Games so far and of course I am aiming for a sixth time. My best result was fourth place in Sydney, but I would like a medal. I am the oldest in the Para team [speaking in 2024], so I might have two more chances to be there, that would be in Paris and then again in Los Angeles." (pferderevue.at, 26 Feb 2024; meinbezirk.at, 16 Oct 2023; oepc.at, 28 Mar 2023) BUSINESSMAN In 2012 he founded Haller Promotion, which holds motivational seminars and supports companies that have employees with specific needs. He also runs a transportation and car rental company called Haller Mobil in Austria. "When I was a child I had to wait a long time for an ambulance to get me to hospital. I decided I could do better than that." (Facebook profile, 16 Aug 2024; propferd.at, 09 Jul 2023; hallerpromotion.com, 01 Jan 2023; haller-mobil.at, 2015; oepc.at, 01 Aug 2012) OTHER ACTIVITIES He has been involved in organising international equestrian tournaments at the Pferdezentrum Stadl-Paura in Austria. (pferde-stadlpaura.at, 02 Jun 2024; oepc.at, 28 Mar 2023; Pferdezentrum Stadl-Paura Facebook page, 23 Apr 2022) AUTHOR He has authored books titled 'Geht Nicht, Gibt's Nicht' [Nothing is Impossible] and 'Die Macht der Willensstarke' [The Power of Willpower]. (oepc.at, 16 Dec 2019; hallerpromotion.com, 2015)