| Hobbies |
Playing video games. (ugeavisen.dk, 12 Apr 2022) |
| Memorable sporting achievement |
Winning gold in the grade III championship test and freestyle test disciplines at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (paralympic.org, 27 Aug 2021) |
| Injuries |
In February 2018 he fell from a horse and broke a number of bones, including his thigh, his pelvis, and his left arm. He returned to the saddle in May the same year. (everhorse.dk, 29 May 2018; parasport.dk, 14 May 2018) |
| Sporting philosophy / motto |
"For me, this is not about my illness at all. That part has long been hidden away. I focus on my sport, and on becoming the very best - that's what it's all about for me." (ugeavisen.dk, 12 Apr 2022) |
| Awards and honours |
He received the 2021 Pressalit Keep Living Award as Para Athlete of the Year in Denmark. (Blue Hors Facebook page, 02 Feb 2022; parasport.dk, 01 Feb 2022) |
| Famous relatives |
His mother Line Thorning Jorgensen represented Denmark in dressage at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games. (SportsDeskOnline, 27 Apr 2022; 2012.paralympic.dk, 25 Aug 2014; rideforbund.dk, 01 Aug 2013) |
| Ambitions |
To own his own stables and stud farm. Outside of sport, he aspires to become a social worker for prison inmates in Denmark. (ugeavisen.dk, 12 Apr 2022; paralympic.org, 25 Aug 2021) |
| Impairment |
In 2013 he was diagnosed with myopathy, a condition that affects his muscle fibres and means he gets tired easily. "My illness broke out relatively late when I was 10 or 11 years old, so I was able to play football and things like that." (ridehesten.com, 02 Apr 2020; politiken.dk, 22 Dec 2019; dhif.dk, 16 Sep 2015) |
| Other information |
FAMILY AFFAIR
His mother Line represented Denmark in dressage at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games. After taking some time away from the sport, she returned to competition in 2019 and she and Tobias competed together at the CPEDI3* event in Randbol, Denmark, in March of that year. "I have seen how my mother, despite her physical challenges, performed at the 2012 Games in London. I was in London and she really is a strong role model for me. Seeing her perform at a high level was a revelation to me. One of the reasons I got into the scene so fast is because the Para dressage team in Denmark was like a family. They all knew me ever since I was pretty much born. So it has been a natural part of my life." (The Para Dressage Podcast, 18 Apr 2022; ugeavisen.dk, 12 Apr 2022; paralympic.org, 25 Aug 2021; digishots.nl, 12 Jun 2021; fei.org, 25 Aug 2019; tvsyd.dk, 16 Mar 2019)
RIDING AIDS
He uses two whips as compensating aids when he rides, which present challenges when it comes to riding horses that previously worked with able-bodied riders. "It can take one to two years before we know each other really well. At first there may be misunderstandings because I have some aids that are unusual to them." (tvsyd.dk, 20 Aug 2019)
SWITCHING DISCIPLINES
He was involved in equestrian jumping as a boy but switched to Para dressage in 2013 after he was diagnosed with myopathy. The condition affects the muscles in his back. "At first I was anxious, but finding dressage meant I could still continue to ride horses. When I was show jumping, my back meant I could only ride one day a week so I had to give it up. Of course I still miss it." (dhif.dk, 16 Sep 2015)
WEG DISAPPOINTMENT
He was forced to withdraw from the 2018 World Equestrian Games [WEG] in Tryon, NC, United States of America, as his horse Bruunholms Caribian sustained an injury ahead of the event. (ridehesten.com, 27 Aug 2018; rideforbund.dk, 27 Aug 2018) |
| General highlights |
He was selected by Denmark for the 2020 and 2024 Paralympics. He won two gold medals at Tokyo 2020.
He also won two golds and a team silver at the World Championship in 2022. |
FEI Database
Tobiasogarena 
Tobias_Thorning 
