Team USA Clinches Gold at the Paralympics

 

All the Highlights from the Paris 2024 Paralympics

Team USA shined in Para Equestrian at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, clinching the Team gold medal on Friday.

This victory marked the American team’s third title in the Para Equestrian events of the Paris 2024 Games. Team members Fiona Howard (riding Diamond Dunes) and Rebecca Hart (with Floratina), who had previously secured individual golds, were instrumental in the team’s success. Roxanne Trunnell, who earned a silver medal in Grade I with Fan Tastico H, also contributed to the team’s triumphant performance.

Howard’s remarkable score of 80.000% was the highest individual score of the Games thus far, securing the gold for Team USA.

The Netherlands, the reigning World champions, took the silver medal, while Germany secured the bronze. Italy finished fourth, and the host nation, France, placed fifth—improving on their Tokyo 2020 result. Great Britain, who had won every Team title since 1996, ended in sixth place.

View the Results Here ➞

A Close Contest

Sixteen teams competed for the Team medals at the picturesque esplanade near the Palace of Versailles, with stands filled with enthusiastic fans waving flags and dressed in national colors.

Each team’s Chef d’Equipe selected three of the four representatives to compete based on their individual performances and their potential in the Team Para Grand Prix B test.

The competition was tight between Team USA and the Netherlands. Ultimately, Howard’s Grade II Individual gold medal score of 80.000% was the highest of the day and the only one to exceed 80 percent. Teammates Roxanne Trunnell and Rebecca Hart contributed scores of 77.000% and 78.567% respectively, sealing the victory for the U.S.

Dutch Reign Continues

With a total of 235.567 points, Team USA outperformed the Netherlands, who finished with 232.850 points. Dutch riders Sanne Voets (Demantur), Demi Haerkens (Daula), and Rixt van der Horst (Royal Fonq) were strong contenders, but their combined effort fell short of the Americans. Nevertheless, they secured their Tokyo 2020 position with a repeat silver medal performance.

Germany concluded the event with a total of 223.116 points. Regine Mispelkamp’s Grade V silver medal performance with Highlander Delight garnered the highest score of 75.500%. Team Germany finished just ahead of Italy, which earned 79.458% and fourth place, led by Grade I bronze medalist Sara Morganti and Mariebelle.

Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, and Finland rounded out the standings.

The Para Dressage competition will conclude on Saturday with the Freestyle event, offering the top eight individual finishers in each grade one final opportunity to earn medals.

Words by Patricia Salem

Images by Liz Gregg