Dutch Grand Prix rider and international dressage judge Joyce van Rooijen-Heuitink has been sidelined with injuries after falling off a horse.
Heuitink worked as commentator for Dutch national television station NOS at the 2026 World Championships Dressage in Aachen on 10 - 15 August. Shortly after returning home she fell off a client's horse. She was transported to the hospital and operated on to stabilise the fractured.
"Unfortunately I fell a little bit hard 2.5 weeks ago," Heuitink told Eurodressage. "I fractured my left foot in three places as well as my pelvis in three places."
The 45-year old has had a bumpy road to recovery as she required a second operation.
"I sustained an infection in the wound of my pelvis on top of it so they had to clean everything up again," Joyce explained about the second surgery.
Heuitink last competed internationally with Gaudi Vita in 2023 but she has been very training students, served as Dutch para team trainer and member of the FEI para equestrian committee, as well as slowly building her judging career. She remains optismistic about her recovery.
"My goal is that I can go and enjoy judging the World Cup qualifier in Herning," she said.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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