Lis Hartel
Encyclopedia
Lis Hartel was a Danish
equestrian
athlete. Hartel became the first woman in equestrianism to win an Olympic medal when she won silver medals at the 1952
and 1956 Summer Olympics
in dressage
. She accomplished this feat despite being paralysed below the knees as a result of polio and required assistance on and off her horse. She has had a large impact on horsemanship in Denmark. She also was given a lot of credit for starting the movement for therapeutic riding schools
, in fact one in Holland is named the Lis Hartel in honor of her.
The Danish Equestrian Federation announced that Hartel had died on February 12, 2009. She was 87.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
athlete. Hartel became the first woman in equestrianism to win an Olympic medal when she won silver medals at the 1952
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
and 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
in dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
. She accomplished this feat despite being paralysed below the knees as a result of polio and required assistance on and off her horse. She has had a large impact on horsemanship in Denmark. She also was given a lot of credit for starting the movement for therapeutic riding schools
Therapeutic horseback riding
Therapeutic horseback riding is used to teach riding skills to people with disabilities...
, in fact one in Holland is named the Lis Hartel in honor of her.
The Danish Equestrian Federation announced that Hartel had died on February 12, 2009. She was 87.