Nicole Kullen

Nicole Cassandra Kullen (15 April 1980 – 6 August 2018) was an Australian equestrian paralympian.

Personal life In August 1996, Kullen contracted meningococcal meningitis sepsis. Kullen spent the next six weeks on life support in an induced coma. After coming out of the coma, she spent a further six months in hospital recovering from the illness and undergoing rehabilitation.

Career In 2000, Kullen started competing in dressage competitions with the Equestrian Federation of Australia for able-bodied riders and the RDAA for riders with a disability. The board responded after consultation with Kullen and introduced a new rule into the AHSA Rule Book allowing wheelchair users to compete.

Death Kullen died on 6 August 2018 at the age of 38.

Recognition

2005 – EFA NSW RDA Rider of the Year Award 2006 – Finalist in the Elders Nicoll and Ireland Sportsperson of the Year