Background
She was originally coached by her mother, Else Holst, but began to be coached by professional horseman Gunnar Andersen when she became nationally competitive.
She was originally coached by her mother, Else Holst, but began to be coached by professional horseman Gunnar Andersen when she became nationally competitive.
Hartel was determined to continue her equestrian career despite medical advice otherwise, and in 1947 she finished second at the Scandinavian championships, although she had to be helped onto her horse when she rode.
In September 1944 at age 23 she contracted polio, which permanently paralyzed her below the knees, as well as affecting her arms and hands. She was pregnant at the time, but had a healthy daughter. Dressage at the Olympics was open only to commissioned military officers until 1952, and in 1952 Hartel was one of the first women to compete against men in an equestrian sport at the Olympics.
After retiring from competitive riding, Hartel gave demonstrations, raising money for polio sufferers and supporting therapeutic riding for people with disabilities.
The Lis Hartel Foundation in the Netherlands, named after her, offers such riding opportunities. In 1992 Hartel was inducted into Denmark"s Hall of Fame, and in 2005 she was named one of Denmark"s top 10 athletes of all time.