Imke Schellekens-Bartels Recovering from Herniated Disk

Dressage

The Netherlands

Dutch Olympian and Dutch pony/children team trainer Imke Schellekens-Bartels has been forced to put intensive riding on the back burner as she is gradually recovering from a herniated disk.

The Hooge Mierde based rider had to severely cut back in her riding schedule one year ago, when back pain brought her to the doctor where she got diagnosed with a herniated disk.

"I've had a slipped disk," said Imke. "I'm better now, but still need to be careful."

Normally riding six horses a day, Imke had to stop riding completely a year ago and is now adhere to a steady rehabilitation programme with a physiotherapist.

"I couldn't ride at the start and had to rest," Imke explained. "Then I worked towards some light training with a personal coach and physiotherapist; no strength exercises at all, but mainly did stretching and suppleness. Then I started 'riding' one horse, got to train a bit more in the gym and ride a little more. Now I'm riding three horses and I do fitness training three times a week."

Imke explains that she has done a lot of physiotherapy throughout her top sport career.

"Horse riders have a one-sided, static posture which makes them susceptible to injury," said Imke. "It's good to have guidance from a professional who can help you with that and give advice on the best training on the ground when you're not on your horse."

Imke has taken over the position of Dutch pony and children's team trainer from her mom Tineke Bartels. Normally every two to three weeks the Dutch squad listed riders come to her yard to lessons, but due to corona these have been suspended.

Imke's Future Hopes

Imke runs a training business at Bartels Academy together with her mom Tineke. They have 35 horses in livery and training.

Schellekens' last international start dates back almost five years, from December 2015 when she last competed Toots before selling him to Japan.

Her top horse at the moment is the 13-year old Dutch warmblood CJ (by Johnson x Grafiet). The bay was first ridden by British Claire Gallimore as a youngster and is owned by Imke's long-time sponsor, the Sonnenberg family. Imke and CJ made their national Grand Prix debut in January 2018 but their competition career was cut short when the stallion sustained an injury.

"My plan is to compete him again. He was out for a while, and so was I, but now we're both getting back in shape," said Imke about competition plans post-corona.

Imke has named the 8-year old Dutch warmblood Hey You (by Romanov x Democraat). " He's drop dead gorgeous, but needs more time. He's already showing some beautiful things," said Imke.