Dutch paralympian Nicole Den Dulk has declared for Belgium. The Elen (BEL) based para dressage rider feels this is the next step in her sport career.
"I just picked up my passport, but it's all very new, also in my head," said Den Dulk. "I made this choice mainly for practical and financial reasons. I have been living in Belgium for years, but have a lot of obligations to The Netherlands. It's not always convenient. I also ride a lot of able bodied competitions in Belgium, but always with a guest licence. Now I can use a lot more Belgian facilities."
The 41-year old Den Dulk is a Grade II para rider. She became paraplegic in 2013 after a riding accident during a National Hunt training session in the U.K.
The same year she began her international para career in the Ib tests on Fifty Fifty (by Florestan x Sao Paulo) and in 2014 began campaigning her career making horse Wallace (by Future x Rohdiamant). She rode him at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, won team bronze and double silver at the 2017 European Championships, and team gold at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon and 2019 European Championships. She also briefly competed Simone Pearce's former horse, Australian warmblood Faust (by Fidertanz). In 2021 she was short listed for the Dutch team for the Paralympics but did not make it.
Photo © Hippofoto
Related Links
Dutch Para Rider Nicole Den Dulk Gets Second Iron in the Fire
Westfalian Stallion Future Passed Away
Dutch Olympic Para Dressage Long List for Tokyo Announced