Current:Home > NewsTeam USA's Rebecca Hart, Fiona Howard win gold in Paralympics equestrian-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Team USA's Rebecca Hart, Fiona Howard win gold in Paralympics equestrian
View Date:2024-12-23 15:07:27
VERSAILLES, France — Rebecca Hart sat quietly at the end of the Chateau de Versailles, taking in the para-equestrian venue with the historic backdrop. As the five-time Paralympian readied for her event, she wanted to make sure she wouldn’t lose focus in the grand arena.
Hart’s experience after was much different.
She knew she would have to set a personal best to take home a gold medal after seeing the scores before her. So when she heard her score and looked up at the grandstand, she couldn’t contain the emotion.
Hart sobbed the entire trip out of the venue after learning she had won gold: 16 years of pent-up emotions. It is a dream turned into reality, culminating on a rainy Wednesday morning with a final score of 77.900 in the para-equestrian individual event grade III.
“I couldn't have imagined a better scenario,” Hart said. “I took in the moment, but it also still feels surreal.”
2024 Paris Olympics: Follow USA TODAY’s coverage of the biggest names and stories of the Games.
Alongside Hart was her horse, Floratina. The 16-year-old mare was a professional able-bodied equestrian horse until a year ago when Hart began riding her. From day one, the two have been partners.
There was still some growing to do for the horse. As Hart put it, Floratina asked questions about how to learn to ride with a para athlete. Hart offered answers, and it has turned into a successful relationship.
Just like her rider, Floratina had no issue with the venue after taking the early training sessions to get accustomed to the massive competition area. There were few adjustments with the less-than-ideal surface and rain, as well — Floratina just knew it was her job to perform.
“She is so smart,” Hart said. “She is so smart and she fights for you out there. She wants and she enjoys the atmosphere. She enjoys the competitions. She's a queen and she knows it.”
Since fighting for a bronze medal in Tokyo in the team event, it has been about both team and individual development for Hart. Building off of that 2021 performance was important for her, and that is what she did.
She improved and now owns the gold medal in the para-equestrian individual event grade III — the classification for those with reasonable balance and abdominal control.
“We've put in so much work and to have it actually come together in the moment, in the rain on the day that we needed it to, was surreal,” Hart said.
Fiona Howard goes gold in Paralympic debut
Fiona Howard has only been with her horse, Diamond Dunes, since March. The Paralympics is by far the largest environment that Howard has taken her relatively new horse.
The mutual trust between the new Paralympian and the new horse made for a gold medal performance in the individual event grade II.
“I just really went in there and was like, ‘I trust you,’ and he was like, ‘Don't worry, I've got you,’” Howard said. “He gave me confidence throughout the whole test and I couldn't have asked for a better partner to do my first Paralympic games on.”
Howard — originally born in Great Britain to an American mother and English father — joins a veteran US para-equestrian team. Leaning on her teammates' experiences is something that has made the debut easier.
Howard couldn’t hide her smile while riding out the venue.
“It's such a beautiful venue and all the people have been so great,” Howard said. “It's just been surreal.”
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (46)
Related
- Georgia remains part of College Football Playoff bracket projection despite loss
- Arkansas governor unveils $102 million plan to update state employee pay plan
- 10 Trendy Bags To Bring to All of Your Holiday Plans
- Moana 2 Star Dwayne Johnson Shares the Empowering Message Film Sends to Young Girls
- DWTS' Sasha Farber Claps Back at Diss From Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader
- November 2024 full moon this week is a super moon and the beaver moon
- Angels sign Travis d'Arnaud: Former All-Star catcher gets multiyear contract in LA
- The Best Gifts for People Who Don’t Want Anything
- Biden, Harris participate in Veterans Day ceremony | The Excerpt
- Officer injured at Ferguson protest shows improvement, transferred to rehab
Ranking
- Gold is suddenly not so glittery after Trump’s White House victory
- Bev Priestman fired as Canada women’s soccer coach after review of Olympic drone scandal
- Skai Jackson announces pregnancy with first child: 'My heart is so full!'
- Judge sets April trial date for Sarah Palin’s libel claim against The New York Times
- Brands Our Editors Are Thankful For in 2024
- Investigators believe Wisconsin kayaker faked his own death before fleeing to eastern Europe
- Tom Brady Shares How He's Preparing for Son Jack to Be a Stud
- Spirit Airlines cancels release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
Recommendation
-
'He's driving the bus': Jim Harbaugh effect paying dividends for Justin Herbert, Chargers
-
‘Maybe Happy Ending’ review: Darren Criss shines in one of the best musicals in years
-
Powerball winning numbers for November 11 drawing: Jackpot hits $103 million
-
Jeep slashes 2025 Grand Cherokee prices
-
Mechanic dies after being 'trapped' under Amazon delivery van at Florida-based center
-
Travis Kelce's and Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Houses Burglarized
-
Trump’s economic agenda for his second term is clouding the outlook for mortgage rates
-
Wendi McLendon-Covey talks NBC sitcom 'St. Denis Medical' and hospital humor