Hometown: Wellington, Fla Birthday: 8/19/1990 Sport/Disciplines: Para-Equestrian

Marie Vonderheyden formerly represented France in the discipline of eventing and now represents the U.S. in para-dressage in Grade I competition. Vonderheyden was a successful eventing competitor at the FEI levels in France until 2012, before relocating to the U.S. In 2015, a horse she was hacking spooked and she fell, resulting in a severe traumatic brain injury. Vonderheyden spent two months in a coma after the accident and lost much of her memory. Over the next two years, she began to re-learn how to walk, speak, and complete basic tasks. 

Vonderheyden returned to riding first as part of her equine-assisted therapy. She began competing in para-dressage in 2019 and was recognized by the FEI for her resilience and success when she was named as a finalist for the FEI’s Against All Odds award. The award recognizes equestrians who have worked through difficult circumstances to achieve their goals.  

In 2025, Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H debuted their partnership in the AGDF 9 CPEDI3* at the in Wellington, Fla. The duo set a personal best in the FEI Para Grade I Grand Prix A Test with a score of 73.194%, helping the U.S. Para Dressage Team to their second consecutive victory of the 2025 season. The duo continued adding to their personal best streak at the TerraNova CPEDI3*, securing a score of 75.417% in the FEI Para Grade I Grand Prix B Test just a few weeks later. 

The pair have amassed nearly 23 top finishes in international Grade I competition since the start of their partnership, and most recently helped the U.S. Para Dressage Team in domestic team competition throughout Florida and North Carolina with impressive scores. As part of the U.S. Para Dressage Team, Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H earned individual gold at the 2026 FEI Para Dressage World Championship in Aachen, Germany, in the FEI Para Grand Prix Test A - Grade I, as well as contributing to the team's overall performance to earn gold in the team competition.