Joop Stokkel (born 11 April 1967 in Aalsmeerderbrug) is a Dutch

Paralympian The Paralympic Games or Paralympics is a periodic series of international multisport events involving athletes with a range of disabilities. There are Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which since the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Kore ...

and one of the leading

equestrians Equestrianism (from Latin , , , 'horseman', 'horse'), commonly known as horse riding ( Commonwealth English) or horseback riding (American English), includes the disciplines of riding, driving, and vaulting. This broad description includes the ...

with a physical challenge, in the world. Stokkel had an accident at the age of seven causing him to lose his entire right arm and left leg. Despite the injury, he went on to start riding at the age of 15. Primarily a demonstration sport in the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

prior to 1990, he participated in the first international competition in 1991, placing seventh. Stokkel earned the title of overall champion at the 1998 World Riding for Disabled Championships at Hartpury, England. Stokkel began his athletic career as a

swimmer Swimming is an individual or team racing sport that requires the use of one's entire body to move through water. The sport takes place in pools or open water (e.g., in a sea or lake). Competitive swimming is one of the most popular Olympic ...

, having first represented the Netherlands at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, winning two golds and a silver. He later won four Dutch National Championships as well as three golds and two silvers at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics. He received Dutch

Knight A knight is a person granted an honorary title of a knighthood by a head of state (including the pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church, or the country, especially in a military capacity. The concept of a knighthood ...

hood the same year.The Independent
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* * * 1967 births Living people Dutch male equestrians Dutch dressage riders Paralympic equestrians for the Netherlands Paralympic gold medalists for the Netherlands Paralympic silver medalists for the Netherlands Paralympic bronze medalists for the Netherlands Paralympic medalists in equestrian Equestrians at the 1996 Summer Paralympics Equestrians at the 2000 Summer Paralympics Equestrians at the 2004 Summer Paralympics Medalists at the 1996 Summer Paralympics Medalists at the 2000 Summer Paralympics Medalists at the 2004 Summer Paralympics Sportspeople from Haarlemmermeer 21st-century Dutch people 20th-century Dutch sportsmen {{Netherlands-equestrian-bio-stub