Inspiring women - Manon Claeys
MANON CLAEYS
PARALYMPIC ATHLETE
Contagiously positive, driven and always true to herself: that's the best way to characterise equestrian Manon Claeys (38). She banned the word 'quit' from her vocabulary after a serious accident with her horse 17 years ago, in which she broke her neck and three vertebrae. After a long rehabilitation, Manon moved on, and with several World and European championships already under her belt, she is now preparing for the Paralympic Games in Paris this year.
SHOP MANON'S FAVOURITES
‘I CAN'T SAY MY ACCIDENT WAS A POSITIVE THING, BUT IT DID CHANGE ME IN A POSITIVE WAY. I AM LIVING THE LIFE I ENVISAGED AND ENJOYING EVERYTHING THAT COMES MY WAY.’
- Manon
VIEW THE VIDEO HERE
‘If I get to choose, I always go for colour. Also apart from sportswear, I like outfits with a sporty touch, such as elastic at the bottom of trousers or a short jacket. These make me feel most like myself. On the other hand, a dress makes me feel very feminine and sexy.’
Manon got her passion for horses at a young age from her grandfather, who was a farrier. ‘My mum didn't think a pony of my own was a good idea at first, so I secretly bought one with my dad while she was travelling,’ she laughed, ‘and from there, the ball started rolling fast.’
‘EVERY DAY HAS A BRIGHT SPOT, AND IF NOT, IT ONLY LASTS 24 HOURS.’
- Manon
The preparation for the Paralympics is intense: I am given different training schedules, but I also have cardio, strength training and appointments with the dietician and sports psychologist scheduled. I see those training sessions as quality time with my horses, a way to clear my head.’ said Manon.
SPILLING THE TEA
BEST COMPLIMENT: ‘That I have a nice smile. Free therapy, right?’
ALWAYS IN YOUR HANDBAG: ‘Perfume, lip gloss, my mobile phone and probably some sugar cubes for my horses.’
MOST HATED/LOVED TREND: ‘Most hated: socks in sandals! Most loved: I love skinny jeans.’
MOST PROUD OF: ‘My strength to turn adversity into something positive.’
With Inspiring Women, Xandres pays tribute to leading women every season, highlighting their personalities, style and inspiring stories. This time, they inspire with their active lifestyles, a nod to the upcoming Olympic Games
MANON CLAEYS
PARALYMPIC ATHLETE
Contagiously positive, driven and always true to herself: that's the best way to characterise equestrian Manon Claeys (38). She banned the word 'quit' from her vocabulary after a serious accident with her horse 17 years ago, in which she broke her neck and three vertebrae. After a long rehabilitation, Manon moved on, and with several World and European championships already under her belt, she is now preparing for the Paralympic Games in Paris this year.
SHOP MANON'S FAVOURITES
‘IF I GET TO CHOOSE, I ALWAYS GO FOR COLOUR. ALSO APART FROM SPORTSWEAR, I LIKE OUTFITS WITH A SPORTY TOUCH, SUCH AS ELASTIC AT THE BOTTOM OF TROUSERS OR A SHORT JACKET. THESE MAKE ME FEEL MOST LIKE MYSELF. ’
- Manon
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
Manon got her passion for horses at a young age from her grandfather, who was a farrier. ‘My mum didn't think a pony of my own was a good idea at first, so I secretly bought one with my dad while she was travelling,’ she laughed, ‘and from there, the ball started rolling fast.’
‘EVERY DAY HAS A BRIGHT SPOT, AND IF NOT, IT ONLY LASTS 24 HOURS.’
- Manon
The preparation for the Paralympics is intense: I am given different training schedules, but I also have cardio, strength training and appointments with the dietician and sports psychologist scheduled. I see those training sessions as quality time with my horses, a way to clear my head.’ said Manon.
SPILLING THE TEA
BEST COMPLIMENT: ‘That I have a nice smile. Free therapy, right?’
ALWAYS IN YOUR HANDBAG: ‘Perfume, lip gloss, my mobile phone and probably some sugar cubes for my horses.’
MOST HATED/LOVED TREND: ‘Most hated: socks in sandals! Most loved: I love skinny jeans.’
MOST PROUD OF: ‘My strength to turn adversity into something positive.’
With Inspiring Women, Xandres pays tribute to leading women every season, highlighting their personalities, style and inspiring stories. This time, they inspire with their active lifestyles, a nod to the upcoming Olympic Games.