Trunnel rides her way to Team USA's first Para-equestrian gold in 25 years
Tokyo, Japan - Team USA has another gold to add to its medal count at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics thanks to Para-equestrian Roxanne Trunnel.
On Friday, the number one ranked Para-equestrian in the world Roxanne Trunnel (36) and her horse Dolton finished the day with a gold medal, marking the first time in 25 years that an American Para-equestrian has won the title.
In the individual test Grade I event, Trunnell and Dolton scored 81.464% for the top spot.
Latvian rider Rihards Snikus on King of the Dance earned the silver with a score of 80.179%, while Italian Sara Morganti won bronze by scoring 76.964% on Royal Delight.
Trunnel has been riding horses throughout much of her life and began riding as a Paralympian in 2016. At the 2016 Rio Summer Games, she finished in tenth place.
Since then, she’s improved to become the first American to earn a top Para-equestrian ranking.
The last time Team USA won Para-equestrian gold was in 1996, when Vicki Sweigart took home two golds at the debut of the sport in the Paralympic games.
Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/pararoxie