Team USA delivered another outstanding Para Equestrian performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, claiming the Team gold medal on Friday.
The American team secured their third victory in the Para-Equestrian competition at Paris 2024. Fiona Howard (Diamond Dunes) and Rebecca Hart (Floratina) contributed to the success by adding to their golds.
Roxanne Trunnell, who earned silver in Grade I with Fan Tastico H, also played a vital role in the triumphant US team.
Howard’s impressive 80.000% score, the highest individual mark at the Paris 2024 Paralympics so far, secured the victory for Team USA.
The Netherlands, reigning World champions, claimed the silver medal, while Germany took home the bronze.
Italy finished in fourth place, with host nation France improving on their Tokyo 2020 performance by finishing fifth. Great Britain, who had won every Team title since 1996, ended in sixth place.
Intense Competition Sixteen teams gathered at the esplanade near the iconic Palace of Versailles to compete for the Team medals, with the stands packed with flag-waving supporters and fans dressed in their nation’s colors.
Three athletes from each nation’s four representatives were selected by their Chef d’Equipe to represent their team, chosen based on their performance in the Individual event and their potential to excel in the Team Para Grand Prix B test.
Throughout the day, the USA, which had dominated the Individual medals, and the Netherlands were in close battle.
However, Grade II Individual gold medalist Howard delivered the highest score of the day, breaking the 80 percent barrier.
Roxanne Trunnell, who earned Grade I Individual silver with Fan Tastico H on Tuesday, and Grade III gold medalist Rebecca Hart with Floratina contributed scores of 77.000 and 78.567 percent, respectively, securing victory for Team USA.
The Netherlands claim silver once more
Facing a total score of 235.567 from the USA, the Dutch team had a tough challenge ahead. Riders Sanne Voets (Demantur), Demi Haerkens (Daula), and Rixt van der Horst (Royal Fonq) together earned 232.850 points.
Although just shy of surpassing the Americans, their performance was strong enough to secure a repeat of their silver medal position from Tokyo.
Germany concluded the event with a score of 223.116 percent. Grade V silver medalist Regine Mispelkamp, riding Highlander Delight’s, achieved their highest mark at 75.500 percent, as judged by the five international judges.
Teammates Anna-Lena Niehues (Quimbaya 6) and Heidemarie Dresing (Doolop) followed closely with 75.351 and 72.900 percent, placing Germany just ahead of fourth-placed Italy. Italy’s top performance came from Grade I bronze medalist Sara Morganti, riding Mariebelle to score 79.458 percent.
Belgium secured seventh place, followed by Denmark, Austria, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, and Finland.
The Para Dressage competition concludes Saturday with the Freestyle event, where the top eight individual riders from each grade will compete for one last chance to claim a medal.
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