Paralympic champion Demi Haerkens

Demi is 26 years old, born in Helmond, and currently lives in Mierlo-Hout. She’s still living at home, and horses have been her full-time work over the past year. Everything revolved around Paris. Demi holds a degree in Marketing and Communications and also runs a horse trading business alongside her sporting career. It took some time to get a hold of her, but once we did, it was worth the wait. She speaks to us in her warm, unmistakably Brabantian dialect and takes all the time we need.

Crazy times after the Games
Demi: “Sorry for the delay. Since I’ve been home, it’s been non-stop. I rode my final Kür on Saturday, came home Sunday (I didn’t stay for the closing ceremony), and from that moment on, I’ve been flying everywhere. We were invited to meet the King, we were honored by PSV, and I’ve been celebrated in both Helmond and Lierop. Plus, I’ve done loads of interviews. It’s been madness, but I’m really enjoying it. In about a week or two, things should calm down a bit. Oh, and I also managed to squeeze in a friend’s wedding in Italy! Meanwhile, my horse, EHL Daula, is happily grazing in the field, although she didn’t stay happy for long. She’s not one for long vacations—she likes to be busy. So, I’m slowly getting her back to work with some relaxed rides through the woods.”

The past year focused on Paris“

Paris was amazing—huge. It was my first Games. Even though we weren’t in Paris itself but about half an hour away in Versailles, it still felt like the Olympics—super exciting. Everything I prepared for over the last year came together. But make no mistake, it wasn’t just about riding. That’s actually only a part of it. I worked with a sports dietician, a mental coach, and I saw a physiotherapist three times a week. And that was just for me! Daula had to see the farrier, get regular vet checkups, go to the dentist, and more. On top of that, I was busy with social media, admin work, maintaining relationships, and finding new sponsors. Equestrian sports are very expensive. I had to make sure Paris was not only a sporting success but also financially feasible.”

Los Angeles 2028—the next challenge

“The Los Angeles Games in four years are my next big challenge. For now, I don’t have anything on my competition calendar—it’s blank. The old book is closed, and the new one is yet to be written. Of course, I’d love to take a break after everything, but the thought of Los Angeles was already in my mind when I was still on the podium in Paris. To peak again—how incredible would that be?”

Looking for a new dance partner
“Due to her age, Daula won’t be the one to go to Los Angeles with me. We haven’t really discussed the future yet; we just want to enjoy this adventure for now. But one thing is certain: I’ll need to find a new dance partner. Speaking of Daula, my partner in this incredible journey, she’s 16 years old, a mare, very tall, and chestnut-colored. (Laughs) Not exactly what I was looking for, but I’ve never regretted my choice for a moment. She’s not easy, but she earned her place on the podium and our three medals. You have to win her over, but once you do, she’ll give you everything. When I entered the ring for the first time in Paris, she was a bit tense, but I reassured her, and she went above and beyond. Her energy and drive to work are indescribable.”

Muscle and nerve disease

“I still can’t fully believe it. The competition was tough, especially from Germany and the USA, but I knew that if I could ride the way I wanted to, I had a real chance at gold. In the lead-up to Paris, I had squad training with the national coach, Joyce van Rooijen–Heuitink, and during the week, I trained with Arthur Verbroekken. I only ride Daula, and she’s stabled at Arthur’s yard.”“I’ve been competing in para dressage since 2017. My disability is due to a muscle and nerve disease. It’s a tricky situation. I don’t really want to be seen as disabled, but my hands and feet do have less strength and sensation. I also struggle with coordination, fatigue more easily, and get muscle pain quicker. Aside from para dressage, I also compete in regular dressage. I’ve earned points for the Lichte Tour, though I haven’t started in that class yet. That variety makes both Daula and me better. New challenges, different tests—it keeps us sharp.”

From Paris to Rotterdam

Demi: “I’ve competed at CHIO in 2017, 2018, and 2023. The first two years with previous horses in the smaller stadium in the forest, and in 2023 with Daula in the main arena. I think Rotterdam is one of the most beautiful competitions I know. Gorgeous arenas, lots of supportive spectators, and a great atmosphere. Last year, I won with a fantastic score on Daula. This year, it didn’t fit into my training schedule, which I was really disappointed about.”“However, top-level sport is about making choices. My medals show that everything worked out. I’m thrilled. It was a long and tough journey, both physically and mentally. I’ve had ups, but also plenty of downs, and I’ve had to deal with many challenging situations. Top-level sport is tough, and you need a lot of perseverance. Believing in yourself is crucial. I still have goals after this successful adventure. I’m going to take a break and then quickly refocus on Los Angeles, with all the challenges—both sporting and financial—that come with it. I’ve experienced many wonderful things, but the Olympics are unique. You have to experience it to understand how special it is.”“But the Games aren’t perfect. How do I explain it? You miss the commercial aspect compared to something like Rotterdam. In Paris, there weren’t any stalls or food stands. And the French—they’re very much themselves, not making much of an effort to speak English. What could Rotterdam learn from Paris? Nothing really…”

Medals for the whole team

Thank you, Demi—we’re flattered. We ask our warm and candid Brabander to close our conversation herself, and she responds with another heartfelt answer. Demi: “I really want to emphasize that the medals Daula and I won aren’t just for me as an athlete. They’re truly for the whole team, without whom none of this would have been possible. The outside world doesn’t realize how many people contribute to this success, starting with the owners and my groom, and extending from the farrier to Daula’s physio, and from my physio to my mental coach. Without a team, there are no gold medals, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone. Lastly, I have to mention that I’m superstitious about my gear. For example, I wore the same outfit in all the qualifying rounds, and I also wore two lucky bracelets that my mother-in-law made. I had them on in both the qualifying rounds and in Paris.”A grateful end to another lovely conversation where we reflected on Paris, with Demi openly sharing both the bright and the challenging sides of her journey. Enjoy the well-deserved afterglow, Demi, and best of luck with everything that comes your way on the road to Los Angeles 2028. We certainly hope that path will run through the Kralingse Bos.