by VERSAILLES, France — Rebecca Hart sat quietly at the far end of the Palace of Versailles, admiring the para-equestrian venue with its historic backdrop. As the five-time Paralympian prepared for her event, she wanted to make sure she didn’t lose focus in the large arena.
Hart’s experience was very different.
She knew she would have to beat her personal best to win the gold medal after seeing the scores in front of her. So when she heard her score and looked up at the stands, she couldn’t contain her emotion.
Hart cried the entire way out of the competition venue after learning she had won gold: 16 years of pent-up emotion. It was a dream come true, culminating on a rainy Wednesday morning with a final score of 77.900 in the Grade III para-equestrian individual event.
“I couldn’t have imagined a better scenario,” Hart said. “I savored the moment, but it’s still surreal.”
Alongside Hart was his horse, Floratina. The 16-year-old mare was a valid professional mare until a year ago when Hart began riding her. Since day one, the two have been partners.
The horse still had a long way to go. As Hart said, Floratina asked questions about how to learn to ride with a para-athlete. Hart provided answers, and it blossomed into a fruitful relationship.
Much like her rider, Floratina had no problems with the venue after completing the first few training sessions to get used to the huge competition area. She also had little adjustment to make with the less than ideal surface and the rain. Floratina simply knew that it was her job to perform.
“She’s so smart,” Hart said. “She’s so smart and she fights for you on the field. She wants and enjoys the atmosphere. She loves the competition. She’s a queen and she knows it.”
Since battling for a bronze medal in Tokyo in the team event, Hart has focused on both team and individual development. It was important for her to build on that performance in 2021, and she did just that.
She has improved and now holds the gold medal in the Grade III para-equestrian individual event, the classification reserved for those with reasonable balance and abdominal control.
“We put in so much work and for it to happen at that time, in the rain, on the day we needed it, was surreal,” Hart said.
Fiona Howard wins gold on Paralympic debut
Fiona Howard has only been with her horse, Diamond Dunes, since March. The Paralympics are by far the largest environment Howard has taken her relatively new horse into.
The mutual trust between the new Paralympian and the new horse allowed the latter to win a gold medal in the individual category II event.
“I really went in and said, ‘I trust you,’ and he said, ‘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 go into my first Paralympic Games with.”
Born in Britain to an American mother and English father, Howard joined a veteran U.S. para-equestrian team. Drawing on the experience of her teammates made her start easier.
Howard couldn’t hide his smile as he walked out of the room.
“It’s a beautiful place and everyone has been great,” Howard said. “It’s just been surreal.”
The USA TODAY app takes you to the heart of the news, fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio stories, e-newspaper and more.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Paralympic equestrian: Team USA’s Rebecca Hart, Fiona Howard win gold
