Katrine Kristensen – profile

Katrine Kristensen is one of the strongest Danish para riders and has achieved great placings at major championships.

Katrine Kristensen (born 1996) has a muscular weakness, and therefore significantly reduced strength in both arms and legs. She started riding when she was 5 years old, and since February 2013 she has been paired with WellDone Dallas, who will be her partner at the Para Olympics in Tokyo 2021

About her illness and everyday life she tells: “I can walk, but I am very physically impaired. The disease is mainly from my hands up to my elbows, as well as in my legs and back. I was born with the disease, so it has followed me throughout my childhood. Throughout my life, I have always walked with the belief that life should not be thought of in terms of limitations, but opportunities. That’s why (thanks also to my parents) I started horse riding at the age of 5.”

I forget I have muscular dystrophy

And horses and equestrian sports have been a big part of Katrine’s life ever since. She got her own pony when she was 12, but it’s working with the beautiful red gelding Welldone Dallas that has been most important to her sporting career. The two have won medals at DM and NM in Grade II.

Katrine told the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation:

“Once on the horse, I forget I have muscular dystrophy. I can feel that I am good at it and have close contact with the horse. And it’s a sport where I don’t feel my limitations. It’s a great feeling.”

A dream come true

Katrine has been a part of Danish Para-dressage for some years and has as mentioned several great results behind her with Welldone Dallas. In 2021 Katrine was selected for the PL for the first time, and about that she said:

“I am very honored to be allowed to represent Denmark at the PL. It is my first PL, and the selection is therefore a result of 13 years of work towards a PL selection. It’s the wildest feeling to have reached this point. I think it will be a huge experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. I’m most looking forward to the whole experience I’ll have with the rest of the Danish PL team. I’m also really looking forward to riding into the stadium. For many years I have dreamt of riding up that very center line. Now it’s finally happening, it’s so huge!”

A new star is on the way

At the DM in Para Dressage 2022, Katrine Kristensen was competing on her new horse Gørklintgaards Quater. The pair won a gold medal and with several great international results under their belt, Katrine and Quater have been selected for the national team that will ride for Denmark at the 2022 World Championships in Herning.

Facts

Born: 23 January 1996

Club: Nordvestsjællands Rideklub

Hometown: Roskilde

Class: Grade II

Disability: Muscular dystrophy

Best result: Three first places in an international competition, CPEDI3*

Double world champion

Katrine and Gørklintgård’s Quater made a clean sweep at the 2022 World Championships in Herning when they took home no less than three medals – two gold and one silver. The new pair showed great form and rode to no less than two gold medals individually and together with the Danish para national team, took silver in the team final.