Current:Home > FinanceTeam USA's Rebecca Hart, Fiona Howard win gold in Paralympics equestrian -MoneyStream
Team USA's Rebecca Hart, Fiona Howard win gold in Paralympics equestrian
View
Date:2025-04-17 08:38:40
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! (47476)
Related
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- My Favorite SKIMS Drops This Month: Minimalist Dresses, Matching Sets, Plush Slippers & More
- Kit Harington Makes Surprise Return to Game of Thrones Universe
- Allergic reaction sends Filipino gymnast to ER less than week before she competes
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- 10 to watch: Why Olympian Jahmal Harvey gives USA Boxing hope to end gold-medal drought
- Judge threatens to sanction Hunter Biden’s legal team over ‘false statements’ in a court filing
- Lawsuit against Texas officials for jailing woman who self-induced abortion can continue
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Multiple crew failures and wind shear led to January crash of B-1 bomber, Air Force says
Ranking
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- San Diego Padres in playoff hunt despite trading superstar Juan Soto: 'Vibes are high'
- Kit Harington Makes Surprise Return to Game of Thrones Universe
- How Kristin Cavallari's Inner Circle Really Feels About Her 13-Year Age Gap With Boyfriend Mark Estes
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Missouri judges have overturned 2 murder convictions in recent weeks. Why did the AG fight freedom?
- Indiana man competent for trial in police officer’s killing
- Katie Ledecky can do something only Michael Phelps has achieved at Olympics
Recommendation
Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
House Republicans vote to rebuke Kamala Harris over administration’s handling of border policy
Khloe Kardashian Is Ranked No. 7 in the World for Aging Slowly
Blake Lively Crashes Ryan Reynolds’ Interview in the Most Hilarious Way
'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore in no rush to name starting quarterback
Parents' guide to 'Deadpool & Wolverine': Is new Marvel movie appropriate for kids?
Steph Curry talks Kamala Harris' US presidential campaign: 'It's a big deal'