Manon Claeys

Started: She began riding at age five on a pony in Oedelem, Belgium. She took up Para equestrian dressage at age 23. (vrt.be, 12 Aug 2021; eurodressage.com, 12 Jul 2020) Reason: "As a child I was very keen on sports. My parents encouraged me to practise a huge variety of them. But from the beginning I had a clear idea, and at about age four I told my parents that I wanted to ride a pony. Since I was too young to start riding in Belgium my mum drove me to the Netherlands on Fridays and Saturdays regularly. When I was 12 years old I finally got my own pony." (eurodressage.com, 22 Jan 2022; puissance.com, 03 Mar 2021; Paralympic Team Belgium YouTube channel, 19 Aug 2020) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (themulberrytree.co.uk, 08 Oct 2023) Awards: She and wheelchair tennis player Joachim Gerard were Belgium's flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (medias.paris2024.org, 28 Aug 2024) In 2023 she received the Sports Performance of the Year award from Equestrian Sports Flanders in Belgium. (horseman.org, 27 Dec 2023) In 2021 she received the Jury Prize at the EquiGala, an annual event that honours Belgian equestrian athletes. (sporza.be, 08 Mar 2022) Additional Info: RETURN TO RIDING She took a more cautious approach to riding when she returned to the saddle after her accident. "We normally had jumping horses at home, but after my fall my parents and I decided to buy dressage horses. When I had strengthened enough to climb back into the saddle, there were a lot of mixed feelings. The first time I got up on a horse, tears rolled down my cheeks. A first, logical reaction, but it was intense. Fortunately, things got better and better after that. I have processed my trauma, but in the back of your mind you will of course remain cautious. For example, we now attach great importance to mounting, since that's how my accident happened. And if I'm going to try a new horse, I'll be extra careful. Moreover, I always follow my gut feeling. If I don't trust it 100%, I just don't do it." (eurodressage.com, 22 Jan 2022; puissance.com, 03 Mar 2021) PARALYMPIC HORSE RETIREMENT In early 2023 she retired her horse San Dior due to an injury. She bought San Dior in 2016 and went on to win two bronze medals with the horse at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. "He can now enjoy his well earned retirement. He will continue to get the best care and attention because he deserves that for all he has meant for me. San Dior is a loyal friend who gave me his whole heart. I owe everything to him and this was the hardest decision in my life." (eurodressage.com, 09 Mar 2023; Facebook profile, 08 Mar 2023)